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Diaspora Voices Must Be Heard
The adverse effects of climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation are already reshaping migration patterns worldwide.
Climate change, interacting with other social, political, economic, environmental, and demographic challenges is driving food insecurity and displacement especially in the most fragile contexts. Yet, migrants and diaspora communities are also part of the solution. Diaspora communities already contribute significantly to development and crisis response by providing financial support, sharing knowledge and skills, and fostering cross-cultural connections. However, their contributions remain an untapped resource that can benefit both countries of origin and countries of destination.
The UK is home to some of the largest diaspora communities worldwide. By connecting diaspora communities in the UK with governments and key partners in Bangladesh, Jamaica, Ghana and Moldova, IOM’s Diaspora for Climate Action (D4C) project has created a replicable model to strengthen global climate action.
As part of this project IOM has trained diaspora members to become Diaspora Climate Champions providing them a platform to lead climate action in their communities.
Diaspora voices must be heard
Explore the stories and portraits of the Diaspora Climate Champions—community leaders who are committed to making a profound impact on climate resilience and sustainability in the United Kingdom and their countries of origin. Each Champion’s journey, captured through photography and video interviews by photographer and IOM's Goodwill Ambassador Paul Choy, reveals how they use their unique knowledge and resources to foster positive change for climate-vulnerable communities.
Abubokkar Siddiki
"I'm a British Bangladeshi and I am passionate about climate action because I believe in planning for the future now."
Abubokkar is a Bangladeshi diasporan based in the UK. He is an architect by training and works as a lecturer at the University of Westminster and the University of Birmingham teaching architecture and sustainable development. Alongside, Abubokkar works as a Communications and Engagement Manager for NHS SELONDON ICS in Greenwich Borough.
Abubokkar is interested in training and developing the capabilities of young professionals within Bangladesh to help plan the cities, towns and villages of Bangladesh to grow sustainably.
Victoria Capatici
"I think that diaspora members are uniquely placed in a position where they have access to institutions, key actors, resources, both in their home countries as well as in their residence countries."
Victoria is a UK-based Moldovan diasporan. She is an international development professional with expertise in conflict management, strategic partnerships and donor relations.
Having moved to the UK, Victoria was seeking to connect with people from the Moldovan community. This led her to create a platform called Diaspora Connect that links Moldovan diaspora from all over the world.
Diaspora Connect operates exclusively in Romanian. Institutions and diaspora seeking to connect with relevant diaspora can simply browse through the platform and reach out directly. Additionally, the forum provides a space for the diaspora to exchange insights and knowledge. Victoria is interested in using her platform to foster greater partnerships to strengthen climate action in Moldova.
Amtu Akumfi Ameyw
"As a person from Ghana that lives in the diaspora, I believe that it's very essential for me to contribute back to my home. Not just because I have the knowledge and expertise, because it's my home, it's where I see myself, it's where I come from."
Amatus is a Ghanaian diasporan living in the UK. Amatus is currently reading MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Amatus is interested in advocating for the rights of underprivileged people, and the inclusion of youth and women in leadership and politics.
Amatus has worked with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ghana as a fellow in the gender unit where she spearheaded programme design, coordination and sensibilisation on women’s empowerment, gender transformation, gender mainstreaming and equality. Additionally, Amatus has experience working in sustainability and ICT policy with the Ghanaian government.
Elizabeth Mullings-Smith
“It's really important for us as diaspora to be participatory in the conversations and drive policy for climate action.”
Elizabeth is a Jamaican diasporan based in the UK. She is an environmental consultant with background in hydrogeology, who has years of experience in providing expert advice on climate policies to low- and middle-income countries across the Caribbean. She is currently the Managing Director of Maya Blue, which is an environment management consultancy focusing on water, energy and land issues.
Elizabeth is also a member of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council. Through her involvement in GJDC, Elizabeth aims to build a holistic approach to the climate agenda across government to increase the coherence and effectiveness of climate strategies.
Find out more about the D4C project