Washington, DC -- On May 13-14, the Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships will host the 2013 Global Diaspora Forum at the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, DC. The 2013 Global Diaspora Forum is the world’s largest gathering of diasporans and aims to recognize, celebrate, and inspire the work of American diaspora communities to contribute to sustainable development and diplomatic relations with their countries of origin. The USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Chief Innovation Officer Maura O’Neill, the State Department’s Acting Special Representative for Global Partnerships Thomas Debass, Special Advisor for Global Youth Issues Zeenat Rahman, Senior Advisor Michelle Kwan, and VOA Director David Ensor will deliver remarks along with the CEO of Chobani Hamdi Ulkukaya, supermodel and activist Liya Kebede, Olympic marathon medalist Meb Keflezighi, and Baltimore Ravens safety James Ihedigbo.

Under the theme, “Where Ideas Meet Action,” the 2013 Global Diaspora Forum will highlight inspiring stories from prominent American diasporans, showcase exemplary diaspora-driven initiatives, and demonstrate diverse methods of organization and bridge-building that encourage the next generation of diasporas to get involved in building up their countries of heritage. The event is powered by the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), which was launched at the State Department in 2011 to harness global connections to help improve lives in diasporan-countries of origin and bridge understanding between nations.

The event will kick-off on May 13 at the Ronald Reagan Building and will feature opening remarks by USAID and a panel discussion on diaspora engagement in international development.  On May 14, the event will take place at the U.S. Department of State and will feature prominent private sector, celebrity diasporan speakers, and sessions on mobilizing diaspora youth into action and entrepreneurship.

The 2013 Global Diaspora Agenda can be found at: http://diasporaalliance.org/featured/global-diaspora-forum/#agenda.

Keynote remarks will be livestreamed at diasporaalliance.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter with #2013GDF.

Pre-set times for press covering Day 1 events at USAID:

• Pre-set time for video cameras: 8:00 am from the 13^th street Daniel Patrick Moynihan entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building.
• Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 8:50 am from the 13^th street Daniel Patrick Moynihan entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building.

Pre-set times for press covering Day 2 events at U.S. Department of State:

• Pre-set time for video cameras: 7:45 am from the 2201 C Street entrance.
• Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 8:30 am from the 23^rd Street entrance.

Media representatives may attend events upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport). 

Press Contacts:

Lorin Kavanaugh-Ulku
Global Partnership Initiative, U.S. Department of State, 
(202) 236- 4132, kavanaugh-ulkulm@state.gov

Annette Aulton,
Legislative and Public Affairs, USAID
(202) 712-1829, aaulton@usaid.gov