Diaspora in Development

We speak to Dr. Bashair Ahmed about her career and Humanitarian Organization Shabaka. We delve into the role of diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response. Dr. Ahmed has an illustrious career having worked with United Nations agencies and international organizations focused on fragile and conflict-affected countries. Dr. Ahmed has consulted on a wide range of migration and diaspora initiatives, including protecting irregular migrants; the development of e-trainings on humanitarian principles for diaspora organizations; and guiding diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response. Bashair holds a doctorate in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex, where she is also currently a Research Associate, Find more about Shabaka here: https://shabaka.org/ [https://shabaka.org/]

In honor of Caribbean Heritage, we speak to trailblazer Dr. Adelle Thomas Adaptation Lead at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Vice Chair of Working Group II for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Adelle made history by becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean scientist and the First Female Caribbean Scientist to be elected to the panel.  Adelle took a pragmatic approach to her studies, which led her to be a leading voice on the climate challenges facing the Caribbean. We apologize this episode has some sound issues that could not be addressed in editing.

In honor of Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day, Diaspora in Development brings you something different! We speak to singer-songwriter Sherlee Skai about the role artists can play in shedding light on injustices at home or to their communities worldwide. Born and raised in Haiti, Sherlee Skai's journey into the world of music began at a young age. Surrounded by the rich tapestry of Haitian culture and folklore, she was captivated by the rhythmic beats of traditional music and the soul-stirring melodies of jazz and soul. Drawing inspiration from her cultural heritage, Sherlee embarked on a musical odyssey that would shape her identity as an artist, activist, and educator. Fuelled by a passion for social justice and equality, Sherlee Skai emerged as a powerful voice for change within her community and beyond. Drawing upon her own experiences as a Haitian woman navigating the complexities of identity and belonging, she used her platform as an artist to shed light on the struggles and triumphs of the marginalized. Through her music and activism, Sherlee Skai became a tireless advocate for the underprivileged, challenging societal norms and advocating for greater inclusivity, representation, and empowerment. You can listen to Sherlee's music on her YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVbOBK7lPqrV7_I748ToYw and on Spotify

My guest today is  Dr. Claudine Kuradusenge-McLeod. Claudine is a Professiorial Lecturer  and the Director  of Graduate Studies at American University in the School of International Service. She lectures on Human Rights and Cultural Relations.  Claudine specializes in genocide studies and the intersection of Diaspora consciousness and social mobilization. She is the  2023 Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Distinguished Scholar for "Erasing Refugees: How Camps Became Killing Fields in the First Congo War," a joint project with Dr. Chris Davey.  You can find out more about Claudine's work here: https://www.american.edu/sis/faculty/kuraduse.cfm The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for.

Happy Black History Month - We talk with Adria Armbrister about her illustrious career in Global Health. It's a candid conversation about race and global equity and whether international development can work. She is currently a Foundation Representative at the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), a small U.S. Government agency that provides grants to community-based organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Armbrister also maintains a consulting practice under which she has provided expertise for the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, UN Women, UNICEF Ethiopia, the Global Health Council, and Chemonics, among others. Since 2018, Dr. Armbrister has also been an instructor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University in the City of New York.  Previously, she worked for nearly a decade as a Social Development Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), most of which she was stationed in Colombia and Peru. Dr. Armbrister holds a BA in history-sociology from Columbia College, Columbia University; a master’s degree in International Relations and Economics from SAIS Johns Hopkins University; and a PhD from the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.