The Boston University Diaspora Studies Initiative: progress report and vision for the future
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND GOALS
The African diaspora has been historically one of the largest and most influential diaspora groups
in the United States and has exerted a profound impact on the evolvement of the country’s
democratic institutions and civic liberties. It is also one of the most dynamic, diverse, and
educated diasporas in the United States, comprising generations of people of African-American
heritage as well as millions of foreign-born immigrants. The African diaspora has potential to be
a progressive and integrative global force particularly at this moment in the history of the United
States. African diaspora actors and organizations are actively seeking opportunities to collaborate
with the new administration and make their voices heard here and globally. They are also
looking to co-define paths for Africa’s social and economic transformation in the era where over
40 percent of the continent’s population still lives in poverty.
The Diaspora Studies Initiative (DSI) of the Boston University African Studies Center
has focused on facilitating diaspora engagement and networking for contributing to the
development of the countries of their origin. That focus on creating sustainable and productive
ties and partnerships with Africa is defined by the Center’s diverse and in-depth expertize on
African matters, including its cultural, social, economic, political and linguistic aspects. This
report discusses the present and future contributions of DSI to the academic as well as policyoriented
study of African diaspora matters. It presents an overview of DSI initiatives and
achievements since it was started in 2016, and suggests a vision for the future. [TRUNCATED]
Description
African Studies Center Working Paper No. 271
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Copyright © 2019, by the author.