National African-Australian Diaspora Engagement Conference (NAADEC) 2019
Deepening links between African-Australian communities, governments and universities
Friday 30 & Saturday 31 August 2019
Woolnough Lecture Theatre, Geography & Geology Building
The University of Western Australia, Perth
The University of Western Australia’s Africa Research & Engagement Centre (AfREC) and partners Organisation of African Communities in WA (OAC), African Think Tank (ATT), Pan- African Australasian Diaspora Network (PAADN) and Federation of African Communities Councils of Australia (FACCA) invite participation, partnership and co-sponsorship for the National African-Australian Diaspora Engagement Conference (NAADEC) 2019 taking place at the University of Western Australia, Perth, on 30-31 August 2019, just prior to the annual national Australia Africa Week (1-7 September).
Download Conference Report in PDF.
Download Selected presentations in PDF.
Download Conference program in PDF.
About the National African-Australian Diaspora Engagement Conference (NAADEC) 2019
The purpose of NAADEC is to explore opportunities, obstacles and mechanisms for deepening links between African-Australian communities, governments (state and Commonwealth), universities and the African Union. The national conference builds upon a related conference on African-Australian Settlement & Integration 2030 convened in Melbourne by ATT and the University of Melbourne in November 2018. One of the key points of discussion at that conference was the need to move beyond state-based discussions to convene a ‘national, Pan-Australian, Pan-African’ conversation on deepening engagement between these sets of stakeholders. It also draws on the work of PAADN, set up to be a bridge between the African Union and the African-Australian diaspora, and a range of other organisations.
Parallel African-Australian diaspora engagement conferences in Perth: NAADEC sits alongside a parallel African-Australian diaspora conference entitled Succeeding Beyond Borders, co-convened by African Professionals Australia (APA) and Regions International (RI), which will take place on the evenings of 29-31 August in Perth at the City of Perth Library, Murdoch University and the Duxton Hotel. Note: an integrated schedule for the parallel conferences can be found on the NAADEC conference website, and we strongly encourage participants to attend both conferences (corresponding daytime and evening sessions). Participants must register separately for each conference. We strongly encourage all participants to stay on in Perth for national Africa Australia Week.
NAADEC 2019: KEY AIMS
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To identify and compare examples of practices of engagement between the sets of key stakeholders across Australia;
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To generate publicly-available data on the relevant characteristics of, and relationships between, key stakeholders;
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To identify both best practices and areas in which engagement between stakeholders can be improved;
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To make recommendations to key stakeholders on mechanisms and practices for enhancing engagement between them;
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To create better communication and an ongoing platform for networking and continued engagement between stakeholders beyond the conference;
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To attract a wider audience to Perth for national Australia Africa Week, which follows the conference.
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Promote the convening of NAADEC 2020 and beyond.
NAADEC 2019: KEY OUTPUTS
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Produce a profile and map of African-Australian diaspora organisations in Australia;
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Produce a profile and map of Australia-based academics and other researchers working on Australia-Africa themes;
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Produce a conference final report with recommendations to key stakeholders;
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Academic publications may also arise from presentations and discussion at the conference;
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Creation of participant and stakeholder networks for ongoing dialogue.
NAADEC 2019: KEY THEMES AND QUESTIONS
The conference will be split into two days:
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Day 1: ‘Engaging African Communities in Australia: Issues, Strategies, Opportunities’
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This first day focuses on relationships between Africa-Australian community organisations and Australian governments and agencies.
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Key questions to address include:
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What is the current profile of the African diaspora in Australia and what relevant trends can be identified? What are the key diaspora organisations and who are the main leaders?
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What strategies and models to Australian governments and agencies use to engage with African-Australian communities in their respective jurisdictions?
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What are the perspectives of African-Australian community organisations and members on their needs, contributions, and these strategies?
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What are the obstacles, challenges and opportunities to deepen engagement between stakeholders?
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Day 2: ‘Development, diplomacy and the diaspora: Deepening engagement between African-Australian communities, the diplomatic corps and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.’
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This second day focuses on the international dimensions of engagement between the African diaspora in Australia, Australian and African diplomats, Australian universities and the African Union’s long-term regional integration and development agenda.
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Key questions to address include:
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What is the role of the African diaspora in Africa’s development?
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How can, and do, African-Australians contribute to African development?
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How does the African Union Commission engage with the African diaspora—as the 6th region of Africa—including in Australia?
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What is the role of the African diplomatic corps in Australia in facilitating engagement between the diaspora in Australia and the continent?
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How can the Australian government utilise the skills, knowledge, networks and resources in the African diaspora to support African development and deepen Australia-Africa international relations?
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What community engagement strategies do Australian universities deploy to work with African-Australian communities in their localities, including African-background students?
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What are the obstacles, challenges and opportunities to deepening these forms of engagement?
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Contents: Courtesy of UWA
