International Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC) is pleased to call for abstract papers on “ The Role of Diaspora in Democracy, Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa” from civics, scholars, practitioners, and political leaders, to share their experience and critical examine how to accelerate positive contributions the Diaspora could make to improving the quality of private and public life in the region, by latest 30 March, 2006 .

The papers will mainly focus on the following topics:

• The role of Sweden plays/can play in facilitating democratic and economic development

• Diaspora role on democracy and development : ideas and efforts

• Diaspora, international migration and development

• Globalization and the Horn of African countries – challenges and opportunities

• The role Diaspora on peace, reconciliation and development in Sudan

• Can Diaspora be a bridge to democratization in Ethiopia?

• Gender, Diaspora and development

• Gender quality in constitutional, legislative and policy reforms in the Horn of Africa

• The role of Civil society – international NGOs

• The diasporas and trans-nationalism VS nationalism and its implication for society of origin

• Investing in reconciliation, democratization and development in Somalia, what is the role of Somali Diaspora?

• Diaspora contribution to liberation and democratization in Eritrea

• Unify Diaspora voices for peace, democracy, development and justice in the Horn

• Regional forum for ideas and practice

• Remittance and its impact on sending and receiving communities

• Diaspora as source of ideas, investments and contact point of host country with the origin

• Skilled Diaspora VS needs of their countries of origin

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In regard to this, the conference papers should reflect the issues concerned and are expected to give great consideration to the Horn of Africa region.

We invite you to present a paper at this conference. Papers are expected be of high quality and follow the time limitations. All guest speakers are requested to take an inter-sectional approach to their papers.

Time for the abstract : 30 March, 2006
Time for complete paper : 30 May, 2006 ___________________________________________________________

For more information contact:

Abdillahi Jama, Conference Coordinator
Somalia International Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC), BOX 974, 220 09 Lund, Sweden, Tel/fax: +46 46-2114502, Mobil Tel. 46-(0)73-989 75 33, [email protected], http://welcome.to/sirc,

Dr. Zufan Araya, Assistant to conference Coordinator
SIRC
BOX 974
220 09 Lund, Sweden
Tel: + 46 46-286 46 66
E-mail: [email protected]

Ambassador Count Pietersen
SIRC
BOX 974
Lund , Sweden
Tel: +46 46-2115269
E-mail: [email protected]