Diaspora for socializing, networking, combatting homesickness and contributing back

So after 7 months in The Netherlands the question that many people ask me is: How did you do to be so connected already?? How do you know so many people in different places in a new country?
And the answer is so simple that sometimes I smile when answering the question. The answer is: Diaspora! There are other groups that I have become in contact and participating with (Alumni of my University, Expats gatherings, facebook and meet up groups, and work related groups). However, a good basis for the network developed here is thanks to becoming part of the organizations that gather compatriots as well as people that in one way or the other are related to Argentina.
The tools available today make it so easy to find each other, meet and greet. From the simple "Argentinos en Holanda" mailing list to the more structured work of the Argentine Dutch Foundation for Solidarity, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize, network and fight homesickness, while 'helping back.'

Something I find is that I not only miss family and friends, but also the Argentine Diaspora in the US! So missing not only the people, but also the institutions I helped grow there. At the same time, what worked in Washington, DC to bring us together and the initiatives we put in place to 'help back,' not necessarily will work from here. It is a new start at that level as well.

What I find as a constant is the interest and urge to get together to not just to drink mate, but also to do something for our country. I am simply proud and happy to experience so!

E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in 21st Century

In this publication Robert Putnam explores the implications of the increase in ethnic
and social heterogeneity in virtually all advanced countries. What is the impact of diversity on sociability? What is the linkage between identity and social capital? Data shows that diversity and solidarity in migrant communities are negatively correlated in the short and medium terms. With time, becoming "‘one’ out of a diverse ‘many’" is possible.I wonder, what implications would this have for the Diasporas? and particularly for those groups of 'nomade' diasporas, the so called 'expats' that change countries every few years?
Linke to this publication was found at the Sustento Institute website

Diaspora Volunteering

This initiative promotes the volunteering of people of the Diaspora living in UK in their countries of orgin, and with great results! Visit the website of Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO). Also recent related article at "DIFID back diaspora volunteering drive"

The Jewish Diaspora

For a while now I have been trying to find some resources that approach and address the Jewish Diaspora from a historical but concise perspective. This article by Jewish peace activist Uri Avnery provides an overview and interesting approach: how Jewish diaspora changed from a 'normal' diaspora to a 'nationalist' diaspora, and argues for the need to recognise the difference between a Diaspora and a state. Full article accessible at the Daily Times: OPINION: The lion and the gazelle

The Potential of Global Sourcing of Services for Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

Conference I am watching via Webcast. Interesting points by Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua, Chairman, Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Philippines. He mentions how the role of the Philipino Diaspora (Overseas Filipinos Workers-OFW- they call them) of about 8 million people outside their country is making a difference in this offshoring towards the Philippines. Also links this to the role of ICTs and a governmental policy.
Access the presentations at the eDevelopment site here.

Measuring Development as if People Mattered More Than Places

Recent working paper that presents a new statistic: "income per natural -- the mean annual income of persons born in a given country, regardless of where that person now resides. If income per capita has any interpretation as a welfare measure, exclusive focus on the nationally resident population can lead to substantial errors of the income of the natural population for countries where emigration is an important path to greater welfare." By Michael Clemens and Lant Pritchett. Excellent! Access full paper at the Center for Global Development site

Back to Diaspora Cafe!

Well, the past 3 months have been so hectic that could not find the time to upload all the great stuff I have come across about what is happening in the Diaspora discussion world. In these past three months, while years were changing, I went home (that always means Argentina), launched a new blog with a group of motivated friends and family: www.mayusumaj.blogspot.com to bring awareness about the environmental issues of Mayu Sumaj, Cordoba, Argentina. Also packed 32 boxes with my husband and had a a wonderful and moving farewell from colleagues and dear friends in Washington, DC. And got into a plane in a sunset towards the old Europe and the new town that now is hosting me, The Hague. Now still finding the way around here. There are two Argentine Diaspora organizations: Fundacion Argentino Holandesa de Solidaridad and Fundacion El Desafio. There is also a mailing list that has helped me get a sense of what Argentines around here do, say and think, and to meet some of them. Still and understandably the Argentine diaspora here is much smaller than in the US and many other countries. Will see how active!