“IOM-Diaspora and Migrants as Active Actors for Climate Action”

Eugenia, our Communication and Marketing Officer, characterizes herself as a joyful, driven, independent, and hardworking team leader who is dedicated to instigating local change while maintaining a global perspective.

She is unwavering in her commitment to advancing the cause of establishing an anti-racist and equitable European Union.

Her vision embodies an intersectional and inclusive approach, aiming for a fair and just world for all. She has demonstrated this commitment by leading numerous grassroots movements and organizations during her studies in LLB European Law and LLM in Globalization and Law with a specialization in Human Rights at Maastricht University

On the 26th of October, I, Eugenia, participated in IOM’s 6th Diaspora Advisory Board Meeting on behalf of #DiasporaVote! The central theme of the meeting revolved around the involvement of the Diaspora in the climate discourse and our role in shaping the future of climate discussions.

The meeting commenced with an overview of the ongoing initiatives of IOM, particularly IOM Belgium and Luxembourg, presented by Krystal Sil Sikana and Anke van de Velde. The session began with a brief introduction. Then we addressed several key questions.

First, we tackled the question of whether the Diaspora is provided with sufficient opportunities to participate in climate policies, both in host and origin countries. The unanimous response was that we, as the Diaspora from the Global South, are not adequately represented in climate policies, which are predominantly dominated by voices from the Western-world.. A participant pointed out that our expertise is often challenged as soon as we address such systemic and colonial issues within the field.

As for the unique contributions made by Diaspora communities in Belgium to climate resilience efforts in both host and origin countries, we began by critically examining the question. We acknowledged the need for greater connectivity within the (African) continent itself. Moreover, we, as the Diaspora, are crucial facilitators of community solutions, working to alter the prevailing narrative and challenge the status quo propagated by Western powers and the Global North.

However, we also recognized that as members of the Diaspora, we often fall into the narrative of saviorism. We realized that connecting with our fellow community members can be challenging due to the language we use, which often reflects a Western perspectives. This perspective, raised by several participants, prompted me to reflect on my own language and rhetoric when participating in climate discourse.

We delved into the polarization of the climate change topic and the necessity for depolarization. Another contributor stressed the importance of listening to people’s stories before prescribing solutions. What may seem like a viable solution to us, living in Belgium, can be a completely different reality for someone in our countries of origin.

Another member of the Advisory Board added to the points raised earlier by emphasizing that when discussing climate change and assuming that our countries of origin are indifferent to the topic, we are mistaken. Our continent is and will be the most affected. She provided examples of how climate change has affected Madagascar, underscoring that the language and terminology used may differ, but awareness of the issue is still palpable.

The final question that remains to be answered is what we, as the Diaspora living in Belgium, can do.

Another participant began by highlighting the significance of involving youth in our future endeavors, a point I wholeheartedly agreed with. However, I also emphasized the importance of not losing sight of accountability, as an increased focus on youth engagement can sometimes lead to a shift in responsibility.

We discussed the need to leverage our proximity to EU institutions. We acknowledged that the systems we encounter as Diaspora members in Europe often work against climate goals. We should refocus our efforts and remember that there is no European solution to African problems. We concluded the meeting with a commitment to collaborate and work collectively towards shared objectives.

In conclusion, while there were many more discussions that cannot be summarized in a single blog post, I have taken away valuable insights which will undoubtedly inform my advocacy work and most importantly #Diasporavote! will continue in its mission in furthering its commitment in being the bridge between the Diaspora and the EU institutions especially when it comes to the climate discourse.