Fwd: Successful Meeting with Federal Minister, DFAT, AU and African High Commissioners and Ambassadors

[John Nze-Bertram]

Dear Friends and Comrades,

I will be re-sharing some of our happy moments for your information.

Below is the email I sent to you (PAADN members) on 22 November 2016 regarding our meeting with African ambassadors, Australian Minister, Parliamentarians, and government officials, alongside delegations from the African Union. The purpose was to promote the African Union's Agenda 2063 within the Australasian region.

Pictures from these events are attached:

1. Meeting with Minister for International Development and the Pacific, alongside the Australian Government's Ambassador to the African Union
2. Meeting with over 12 African Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Australia at the residence of His Excellency Tunisian Ambassador.

Warm regards,

John

John Nze-Bertram

Chair PAADN Council and founder, Pan African Australasian Diaspora Network

0449061457

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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Nze-Bertram <stra...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 22, 2016 at 6:52 AM
Subject: Successful Meeting with Federal Minister, DFAT, AU and African High Commissioners and Ambassadors
To: <pa...@googlegroups.com>

Dear PAADN Members

I am pleased to inform you that our delegations from the African Union arrived safely to Canberra yesterday 21 November 2016.

Among the delegations are: 

Ahmed Elbasheer, Ag. Director of CIDO and Head of the Diaspora Division; 

Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Head of the Civil Society Division;

Ms Eiman Kheir,  Regional Policy Officer- Middle East, Asia and Oceania; and

Mr. Tijan Djallo; Expert Agenda 2063.

Meetings commenced almost immediately upon their arrival:

First, we met with the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells at the Parliament House Canberra. Key advise by the Minister centred on building a positive image for Africans living within the Australasian region, as well as, developing mutually beneficial bi-lateral engagements in business, education, information technology and knowledge-exchange between the Australian government and the African continent through the AUC organ. It was emphasised that the African diasporas within this region has a role to play within that space. The Minister and her entourage were pleased to know about PAADN and were enthusiastic to engage with us.

Second meeting was with the Australian Ambassador to the AUC under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Among the entourage at the DFAT meeting were directors and heads of various agencies including DFAT, Department of Immigration, Heads of Australian Government division on Non-Governmental Organisations and among others. Again, like the meeting with the Minister, emphasis was on Africans uniting and speaking with one voice within this region in view of facilitating trade and multitude of engagements between the Australian government and Africa. Issues in relation to easing immigration pathways for Africans, as well as, building capacities for African youths to drive positive growth were discussed.  Gladly, attendees were happy to have further discussion with PAADN to identify long and short term projects. (Dr Apollo will add more to this space.)

We then zoomed off to meet with 12-15 African High Commissioners and Ambassadors in Australia. The Tunisian High Commissioner, who is the Dean of the African diplomatic corps hosted the us at his residence. Just like the previous meetings, emphasis again was for the African diasporas within this region to unite and speak with one voice, in addition to, building a positive image for Africa within this region. Ideas flowed to and fro between participants; specifically, establishing an African main stream TV network to shine a positive light on Africa within this region was suggested as a key project to pursue. The African Union assured everyone that the organ is already developing a TV network to promote African positivities globally. Streams from the AU TV will be fed to Australian TV networks once negotiated. Secondly, establishing a database of African professionals was also discussed as a priority project, alongside, encouraging African diaspora entrepreneurship.  Finally, mentoring the youth and assisting African children born within this region to visit Africa as paid volunteers was given a node. It is believed that African children born overseas will benefit greatly by being on ground in Africa and gaining local knowledge for future development in Africa. The young people will also develop self esteem and serve as cultural ambassadors back in their resident countries. Attendees were pleased to know about PAADN and how we can join efforts with the diplomats to drive the AUC agenda 2063. (Bro Apollo will add to this space)

Lastly, we had a sumptuous dinner with the African community leaders in Canberra. We all bounced ideas on how to promote African image positively in Australia, stop corruption in Africa, reduce mental health issues and anti-social behaviours among some young Africans within this region, and among others. We also farewell an icon championing the cause of Africans in ACT. He was the Director of the Multicultural Commission Canberra and retired after 40 years of meritorious service. People were interested to join PAADN.

Overall, our Canberra meetings were a resounding success.

Thank you all and keep the flag flying!

Kind regards

John

John Nze-Bertram

Facilitator PAADN

0449061457

[AFRO MOSES]

Thanks for your sharing email

Well done Champion

with love.

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[Carine Kapiamba]

Well done for this amazing news

Carine Kapiamba

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/africandiasporaaustraliasiapacific/CABKe%3D_JE6bLy9M6qMWRpQe8JaLWjJBRrxiz5U3QRfpN2B64A5g%40mail.gmail.com.