The Global Diaspora Forum is a celebration of diaspora communities. The forum has been held annually in Washington and, this year, it will run simultaneously in Washington and Dublin.

The Global Diaspora Forum was inspired by former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and is coordinated by the US-based charity, the International Global Diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA).

The purpose of the forum is to challenge diaspora communities to forge partnerships with the private sector, civil society and public institutions in order to make their engagements with their countries of origin or ancestry effective and sustainable.

The Global Diaspora Forum is targeted at leaders of diaspora communities; politicians and policymakers; private sector stakeholders; representatives of international institutions; foundation executives; academic experts; and members of not-for-profit organisations.

The theme for the 2013 Global Diaspora Forum is ‘Diasporas in Action’. It is being held in Dublin to mark the Irish presidency of the European Union, and in recognition of the increased focus which the EU has on diaspora matters.

The European strand of the Global Diaspora Forum is being organised by the Irish International Diaspora Centre Trust, which is working to deliver a world-class diaspora centre in Dublin.

Website will be fully operational over the coming weeks at the link www.globaldiasporaforum.ie.