How should Finland review its approach as it moves to update its strategy on the African continent? This was the question that was asked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA) at the end of 2020. The MFA in its formulation of the Finland-Africa Strategy hosted an online diaspora consultation meeting on the 20th of November. Think Africa was invited to participate in the panel discussion represented by Mr. Takura Matswetu.
The discussion was well attended by experts, researchers and participants from civil society groups across Finland. This blog post contains key takeaways from the discourse.
Our position before and during the discussion was that the diaspora have a vested interest in ensuring that the strategy benefits African countries and Finland – and should therefore be engaged in the consultation, planning and actual implementation process of the strategy. In this manner, the strategy would deliver on multiple Sustainable Development Goals from an African Union, European Union and Internal (integration) perspective.
This could encourage the collaboration and utilization of unemployed and underemployed highly skilled members of the African diaspora in Finland. It is worthy to mention and/or point out herein that the expertise of the African diaspora spans from development and business to environmental policies and politics.
However, the focus on engaging the diaspora should not only be about providing employment opportunities, but instead facilitate plans allowing access to business creation opportunities through sustainable partnerships, mentorship programs and access to lines of credit to support equal participation in business development opportunities. Such a mechanism would also advance aspiration 7 of Agenda 2063, i.e., “An Africa as A Strong, United, Resilient and Influential Global Player and Partner”.
Participants of the online discourse unanimously agreed that African diaspora led organizations should be engaged in partnership skills-set acquisition of individual experts and professionals capable of assisting in research and development, and project implementation with due diligence, planning and execution of the Finland-Africa strategy as well as advise on best practices to create a public discourse on 21st century Africa solution-oriented approach in Finland. Thus, galvanize support for the strategy by engaging 3rd sector organizations and their members to accommodate full integration.
Think Africa also emphasized that the Department for Africa and the Middle East at MFA, Team Finland, The Talent Boost program and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in collaboration with other stakeholders, should and must proactively engage African diaspora led organisations to map alternative development areas, options and opportunities within the scope of the Finland-Africa strategy.
All panel members were generally in agreement on all of the above points. We hope that the MFA engagement and consultation on this matter with The African diaspora continues with the noble intention to deliver on one of the core targets of the strategy; which is building relationships between peoples.
The discussions were good, fruitful and followed by another public invitation to a webinar on Tuesday 8th of December. The link to the recording of the webinar in question is available on YouTube.
As Think Africa we look forward to being awarded an opportunity to review the strategy before it is finalized. More information about about Finland’s Africa strategy can be found here.
Any comments or ideas are most welcome!
Written by: Takura Matswetu, Information Technology Project Manager at City of Tampere
One must highly commend Finland for the consultative approach! Engaging with the African diaspora in Finland on the development of the Finland-Africa strategy provides insider’s knowledge of the social, economic, political and cultural differences that characterize the continent. It will also accentuate the salient linkages between such differences and achieving international socioeconomic goals such as girl child education within Africa. It is, of course, not about ‘handouts’ to Africa but also ‘what is in it for Finland. As an integrated community in Finland and a diasporic community, African immigrants will contribute grounded and practical information on the many economically beneficial opportunities/ potential sectors in Africa. Way to go Finland. Thanks Takura for representing Think Africa