Diaspora

I was pleased to learn about Ceasefire Liberia, a terrific example of the type of social media connections Kabissa seeks to promote.

From the website:

"Ceasefire Liberia is a multimedia project which aims to document the Liberian experience on both sides of the ocean. It includes a book, documentary film work, and now a blog. The goal of the blog is to connect the Liberian community in Liberia with the rest of the Diaspora in order to create a dialogue between those who fled during the war and those who remained."

The founder, Ruthie Ackerman, was recently interviewed on Media Bistro, which you can listen to online here. (via Rising Voices mailing list)

For years the international community has recognized the potential for migration to contribute to development and economic growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Remittances from diaspora communities living outside their countries of origin as well as professional skills and links to private investors are important resources that migrants could contribute to their countries of origin. In 2006 remittances to developing countries reached nearly $300 billion, virtually doubling ODA.