Parliament heard today that government has embarked on the process of formulating the Diaspora policy document that would clear define the terms of engagement and collaboration between government and Zambian’s living in the diaspora.
Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba said in his ministerial statement in Parliament today that government has since established a national steering committee comprising key line ministries and institutions whose mandate would be to spearhead the formulation of the diaspora policy document.
Mr Kalaba noted that the ministry of foreign affairs will ensure that the policy document is subjected to a wide consultation to ensure ownership of the document ounce the process is completed.
He reiterated governments commitment in ensuring that the document is launched by the third quarter of 2015.
The minister said government recognizes the potential that Zambian’s leaving abroad poses hence the desire by the state to engage them in the development of the country.
Mr Kalaba pointed out that the massive untapped potential of the Zambian’s living in the diaspora prompted government to initiate the formulation of the diaspora policy document.
The minister revealed that government has since made strides in mobilizing Zambians in the diaspora to contribute to the development of the country through partnering with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
He stressed that lack of a policy framework made it difficult for government to engage persons leaving in the Diaspora.
This is a good process initially tried by RB but later shelved along the way.
#prayforzambia
Devil is lier oh Lord!
You are wasting your time. Do you honestly think people like Nubian princes, ndodo, wanzelu and Nostradamus would be of any value towards to developing Zambia? Their IQ can be determined right here on line. Just look at thier comments. I rest my case
The minister just FARTED, diaspora policy…LMAO. Use your time to figure out how;
1. You can create jobs in each province to reduce congestion in
Lusaka province.
2. You can reduce street vendors in Lusaka city by 80%.
3. You have to pay the University students in time.
4. You can reduce the number of Ministers, how can you develop a
a country like that
Don’t and never worry about us in diaspora, it’s our life, it’s our choice. We’re in good hands here for as long as education remains the means to an end.
What policy is it without dual citizenship? A dual citizenship will be enough than spending money on formulating a policy that can not work without dual.
Me i am getting my Aussie Citizenship whether you make a policy or not. Too much mediocre in Zambia.’s PF.
@chintomfwa, street vending should be reduced by 100%.
We should also live within our means and reduce the constant borrowing
When will Mvunga speak in Parliament?
Dual Citizenship is the best alternative. This will encourage more investment by individuals living and working abroad.
There is no way such policies can succeed without involvement individuals in diaspora in initial stages. Bushe diaspora ni ya anyoko?
THIS CANNOT WORK WITHOUT DUAL CITIZENSHIP. WE ARE NOT ZAMBIANS ANYMORE MR MINISTER. WE GAVE UP OUR ZAMBIAN CITIZENSHIP.
Stop lying to yourself. Unless you were born in the USA, you are a Zambian citizen. It is very difficult to get US citizenship and even if Zambia allowed dual citizenship, you will still be a Zambian citizen only because you have to wait for as long as 30 yrs to get US citizenship.
@ Kanyanta Jr.
you are ignorant. You don’t know anything about being an American. There are so many legal ways that are shorter than that bwana.
Ba Kanyanta Jr. Ku Winnipeg kulishani?
Haha Ba Kanyanata! Exposing your ignorance. You don’t only have to be born in the US to become a U.S. citizen. I got my citizenship after 5 years of staying here haha. If it’s that hard in Canada here, please one down to the U.S. I can accomodate you here in Texas until you Settle down my brother. Vintu nikutandizana boyi……
Well with dual citizenship introduce paying of taxes so that the diaspora contributes to revenues of the country, plus they must be allowed to vote electronically from say the embassy in their base
Ba Kanyanta we have children who have been born here we not only speaking for ourselves mwah! They are Americans
We left Zambia because of politicians and now they want to extend their confusions. Government please spare alone we have better things to implement.
Parliament should be debating matters relating to employment and investor confidence rather than petty issues. They have not consulted us the former Zambians in diaspora
Yes we even had a diaspora desk at State House. I think this if well managed could help the ailing Kwacha. Am not an economist or an expert in international financial affairs but this could help. In any case the diaspora has produced Dr Kalyalya and the likes of Dambisa Moyo to mention just two. Well done you ‘diasporans’. You are raising eyebrows of the legislature.
It’s so alarmingly sad that the govt views Zambians in diaspora as enemies of the state. That’s what the dead snake imagined.
I don’t trust these fellas, i would not touch them with a 10 foot pole. Due citizenship is the key to us flowing back with investment Dollars. Its about time you start exporting excess labor to developed nations. You have too many people rooming the streets with degrees and diplomas.
‘persons leaving in the Diaspora’
Where are they going?
The name “DIASPORA” itself is WRONG. Do you understand what it means? Call the policy a clear name. Nothing wrong with saying “POLICY ON ZAMBIANS LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE REPUBLIC OF Z”
Our problem is that we, like any1 else are only allowed 90 DAYS IN A YEAR TO STAY IN Z. Even that is not continuous, its 30 DAYS then we start extending till 90 DAYS is up. Then we start bribing to stay any longer. Even building a house we are doing it “illegally” bcoz our nationality is not recognised. So how can we effectively do what we want in this country? In the end most of us the BIG INVESTMENTS we have are not in Zed. What Zedians don’t know is our numbers. Statistics show more CBU & UNZA graduates outside Z (graduates from the 1990s to the 2005s – the Privatization victims). And we have…
I have been using the word diaspora because I have a suspicion of what it means. I have even extended the word to diasporans to mean those citizens living outside their motherland or continent, mostly attributed to Africans. Am sure someone out there will know better. Dual citizenship sucks. You are either with us or with them. By birth you have minimum dual citizenship; your motherland and the world possibly other possibilities such as heaven etc. What else do you want? Are there no other important matters in,life than to belong.
As expected, only learned presidents like ECL can understand that the internet, globalization, and objective policies can help move an economy forward. Today, the world has become “smaller” and therefore, to stay abreast, new progressive 21st Century policies are extremely vital for economic advancement. VIVA ECL!!!
Dual citizenship is the key, pity we are scared of the unseen without trying & as always the fear of change.
Well, I think the policy should include how the people in diaspora can benefit as well. it should be a two way benefiting policy. Dual citizenship is not a contentious issue and must be included in the constitution by the MPs. We do not referendum for that.
I am not sure if the PF government are consulting the right organisation. The International Organisation for Migration, if one reads about it, is operating mostly in countries that were involved civil wars and people left their countries to seek refugee. I am not sure what that policy is aiming at achieving but if they do not involve some Zambians who are in diaspora then it will not work. Instead of asking organisations like IOM, they must engage Zambians in diaspora who can clearly inform them what they want and how they can contribute to development of the country
Grant us DUAL CITIZENSHIP please.Just look at some of the fastest growing economies like India who have benefited from such.
Once bitten, twice shy. I shudder to think about what you did to Prof. Clive Chirwa! Dambisa Moyo was insulted too. Problem is that you think we are your enemies! At owner’s peril with these flip-flops.
Kalaba is telling lies when he says lack of policy framework made it difficult for government to engage Zambians living abroad.
This notion is misleading or Kalaba is ignorant what existed before and thinks has come up with a brilliant idea in Zambia.
MMD government through Diaspora Desk at state house sent officials on UK tour of various categories for home investment, business start ups, building homes (we even filled papers for plots) and recalling of medical personnel were all covered in that contact.
Kalaba should pick it up from that contact and bring it to reality of our resolutions with Diaspora Desk the through records that exist.
What is behind the sudden change in attitude towards Zambian-born foreigners? The PF has been vehemently opposing dual-nationality and now they talk about a policy document on those in the diaspora! You can only talk of the diaspora if you regard them as your people(dual nationals) and address their concerns! Those of us with children that we have with wives/husbands of other natnationals, when will out children have aaccess to Zambia? Bwana minister, you need to talk to us, very seriously before we can take you seriously! The behaviour of the PF government towards
us makes us very suspicious of these latest advances! You treat us like criminals for leaving Zambia and now you realise our potentials, which out host countries have embraced? We need a serious indaba, bane ka?
Because you showed overwhelming support for HH. They want to dangle a carrot in front of you and see how much of your support they can get for themselves in the next coming general election.
The Kalaba and Lungu were so drunk such that they announced the unworkable. Look at India or South Africa, Ghana , you can not go to Zambia with a British or American passport and stay a month and do anything meaningful. Zambians in diaspora send money every day/ months to relatives . Imagine the govt has done it the India way, Zambia can have dollars more floating and not being arm twisted by the mining sector. Indians can send their pension contributions back home and remain safe.
Is this a way of diverting our attention from the constitution?
The word ‘DIASPORA’ may sound cool and trendy to use, but it should be noted that it is very very misleading in describing people of Zambian origin living and working abroad. Very misleading. That is why organisations like International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organisation (ILO), etc.. do not use it to describe Zambia’s case.
It is also worth noting that there are distinct similarities between why some Zambians moved from their rural villages of origin to urban centres in the past and integrated, AND why now some Zambians like me have moved from Zambia to work and live abroad and are integrating.
It would have been very short sighted and counterproductive had the village elders…….
Cont’d….. elders and tribal Chiefs of yesteryear treated their subjects as ‘outsiders’ just because they got jobs in urban areas. This is why it is very short sighted and counterproductive for the Govt to continue refusing DUAL CITIZENSHIP.
This is a great move but honestly, everyone is more interested to know what happens to our colleagues with the Dual Citizenship. Don’t you think so?
These people are just wasting time. How can they engage foreign nationals that are not Zambians?
Dual citizenship is better than a policy document formulated by officials who might want to take away the many benefits of living as a legal resident or citizen of UK, New Zealand, Australia, USA etc. There are many reasons for migrating. “Diasporians” living legally in developed countries enjoy secure social, economic and political benefits. In those countries you are not subjected to cadre behaviour, you can vote just by being a resident, you automatically get income support when you are unemployed or if your income is lower than a minimum level and can support any political party of your choice publicly.
Please, do not impose archaic Zambian laws on diasporians. They love Zambia but the opportunities for them and their children are very limited if not non-existent in Zambia.
Keep dreaming. With the way you`re destroying Zambia, you think a sensible and smart Zambian would think of coming back.
Zambians in diaspora lasted year contributed more than $400m,thru money sent to relatives,constuction /buying properties and travels,more infor on mof website.dual citizen iliche but if 50 of diasporans are elected in political offices alot of things can change.
Diaspora mayor can do away with Roundabouts on great east road and plan for freeways by constructing flyover Auto modern bridges on places like Adis ababa/manda hill;acardes,munali airport junction;just to mention a few.
Philippine’s biggest forex earner is its people working abroad.
As long as the Govt engages people living abroad, it’ll be a win-win situation.
President Rupiah B. Banda establishes Diaspora Desk at State House
ImageFollowing concerns raised by Zambia Diaspora Connect and subsequent participation at the National Indaba held between 4th and 5th April 2009, the organisation is pleased to announce that a Diaspora Desk has now been established at State House by His Excellency, President Rupiah Bwezani Banda.
The Diaspora Desk at State House is under the office of the Special Assistant to the President, Economic and Development Affairs. The desk will be in constant liaison with the Zambian Diaspora in exploring ways to enhance Diaspora participation in the development of the nation. Mrs. Ngoza Munthali, Chief Policy Analyst at State House has been appointed as the focal contact person. In their communiqué (ref. SH/101/6/3), State…
This is nonsense, if they want us to participate in the development of ZAMBIA they should be more forthright, writing down a policy document wont work, it will end up being a paper exercise, I applied for a plot through the embassy in the so called diaspora country were am currently living in 2012 and I haven’t received any feedback as of yet, I had to travel to Zambia the same year to purchase a piece of land on a 200% ++++ inflated price. Just imagine if I had been waiting till today, I probably would have used that money on something else and wouldn’t have a piece a land back home.
And on top of it a foreigner is called in Zambia an ALIEN is he out of space??????????
This is indeed great news, for some of us who are still Zambian! Unfortunately, in the court of public opinion, preconceived notions of who the ‘Diaspora’ are is shaped by the impressions made by the loudest Diasporans on the internet. These do not even come close to reflecting the heterogeneity of the Zambians who live abroad. So please avoid the wide brush when you post your comments; not all of us have adopted the destination country’s citizenship, not all of us left because of government. Some of us left to acquire higher education and the experience in order to be better equipped to contribute to Zambia’s development. It is therefore good to see that this process has progressed. I agree with the Minister that the Diaspora are an untapped potential who can not be harnessed…