IAC meets with foreign affairs department |10 October 2023
The IAC and foreign affairs delegations in a souvenir photograph
The National Assembly’s International Affairs Committee (IAC) recently met with the foreign affairs department to discuss the new National Diaspora Policy (2024–2029) which is now in its consultative and drafting stage.
The meeting in late September took place at the National Assembly’s premises at Ile Du Port.
The IAC delegation was led by the chairperson, Waven William, accompanied by Philip Monthy, Egbert Aglae and Phillip Arissol while the foreign affairs department was led by principal secretary, Ambassador Vivianne FockTave, accompanied by the director general of the department’s consular and diaspora affairs division, Myrna Hoareau, second secretary, Travis Payet, and an International Organisation on Migration (IMO) expert and consultant, Martin Russell.
A brief and thorough overview of the new national diaspora policy was given by the department, which is the first of its kind and ultimately aims to achieve effective engagement within the diaspora.
Taking the lead on the presentation, Mr Russell elaborated on the implications involved to achieve this engagement, explaining the policy’s three main pillars for a sustainable system. These are ‘governance of diaspora engagement’, ‘local and global diaspora diplomacy’, and ‘diaspora capital for development’.
The Committee showed great interest in the facets of diaspora engagement, especially the capacity of both financial and human resources needed to effectively implement the policy.
The IAC was informed of the long-term commitment needed to establish a sustainable policy, with a particular emphasis on the need for financing, which the diaspora division expected would take some time.
The current focus is the building of engagement internally to mainstream the movement throughout all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Members also enquired on the diaspora’s direct and indirect contribution to the nation’s development, the need for future legislation to solidify the policy, improving international missions for more effective engagement, and the diaspora throughout generations.
To monitor the progress of implementation of the policy, the IAC requested that the division share the action plan once it was completed. This was agreed upon by Ambassador FockTave.
Both parties expressed their mutual satisfaction and a willingness to see this policy through via a continued, strong partnership.