Digital Diaspora Networks

Convinced of the positive potential of ICT to accelerate economic growth and social development, and as part of its effort to mobilise key partners for ICT for development, the United Nations ICT Task Force launched an initiative aimed at bringing together qualified members of the Diaspora – high-tech professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders – into a network with their counterparts in order to promote ICT-for-development initiatives in their home country.

This initiative, known as the Digital Diaspora Network, aims to promote development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through mobilising the intellectual, technological, entrepreneurial and financial resources of the Diaspora entrepreneurs.

Through the Digital Diaspora Networks, expatriates working in the high-tech sector in North America and Europe will seek to jump-start ICT initiatives in their home region. Thousands of Internet nodes and digital activities are taking shape in many developing countries, but usually lack the capital, expertise and networking ability to stabilise and grow. The Networks will mobilise expatriate leaders and entrepreneurs to underwrite and mentor these developments.

Three Digital Diaspora Networks have been launched by the UN ICT Task force so far:

Digital Diaspora Network for Africa
Digital Diaspora Network for the Caribbean
Digital Diaspora Network for Latin America