Now active on www.dirco.gov.za the African Diaspora Weblink + attached TCEM opening speech deliverd by South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Mar 22/2/11, Saaiman, H : Rome, First Secretary (Political) Da: Saaiman, H : Rome, First Secretary (Political) Oggetto: Now active on www.dirco.gov.za the African Diaspora Weblink + attached TCEM opening speech deliverd by South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation A: Data: Martedì 22 febbraio 2011, 10:19 South Africa to host the African Diaspora Technical Committee of Experts Meeting scheduled for 21 and 22 February 2011 The Republic of South Africa, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) Commission, will host the African Diaspora Technical Committee of Experts Meeting (TCEM) on 21 and 22 February 2011. The meeting will be convened at the Conference Centre of the OR Tambo Building (Department of International Relations and Cooperation's Head Quarters). The Republic of South Africa has been seized with the African Diaspora Initiative. One of the highlights to this effect is the success of the African Diaspora conference it jointly organised with the AU in March 2005 in Kingston, Jamaica. This conference brought together Africans on the continent and representatives of the African Diaspora from the Caribbean and was held under the theme "Towards Unity and United Action by Africans and the African Diaspora in the Caribbean for a Better World: The Case of South Africa". It was therefore on the basis of the success of the Jamaica conference and its continued commitment to the African Diaspora Initiative that the African Union (AU) endorsed South Africa as the host of the 2008 Summit, which was later postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The TCEM brings together experts from the continent and its Diaspora and marks the commencement of the implementation of the first key element of the AU/South Africa African Diaspora roadmap. The other two key elements, as presented by South Africa and endorsed by the AU, are the Ministerial meeting planned to take place in September 2011 followed by the Summit in 2012. In this regard, the main objectives of the TCEM are, among others, to take stock of factors that might have arisen since the postponement of the 2008 Summit; and to review what the Ministerial and the Summit ought to achieve. The focus of the review will be, but not limited to, the Draft Summit Declaration, Minister's Programme of Action and previous outcomes reports. Proposals for bankable projects will be made within the ambit of the previously agreed areas of cooperation namely, political, economic and social areas of cooperation. More information, including documentation and the full list of participants, can be accessed from the African Diaspora web link on the DIRCO website by visiting www.dirco.gov.za. Some of the high level luminaries and academia who will participate in the meeting include Ambassador Dudley Thompson, Dr. Mathole Motshekga, Dr Julius Garvey and Professor Kwesi Prah. Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation OR Tambo Building Private Bag X152 Pretoria 18 February 2011 From Italy two individuals are taking part in the TCEM:   From the Central and South of Italy some of the African Diaspora nominated Mr. Victor Imeka Okeadu (originally from Nigeria) to attend and the TCEM. Mr Okeadu was the head of the Delegation from Italy for the Paris Regional Consultative Conference in 2007 facilitated by South Africa. Mr. Okeadu is a member of the City Council of Rome. He is one of the special Councilors responsible for City relations with the African community and immigrant affairs in general.   From the Central and North of Italy the Diaspora nominated Dr Kashetu Kyenge (originally from Democratic Republic of Congo) Dr. Kyenge is a medical doctor, based in Modena. She has been involved in the process of the African Diaspora, and has attended previous international meetings. She represented Northern Italy Diaspora at the Regional Consultative Conference in Paris in 2007. She is informed and involved in many of the projects presented by the Diaspora in the North of Italy.   The Embassy has also submitted all written inputs received from different organisations and individuals of the African Diaspora in Italy for consideration by the Meeting. The Embassy will inform all interested parties on the outcome of the TCEM Best Regards South African Embassy Via Tanaro 14   22 February 2011