Mobilizing the Diaspora: Opportunities for Engagement in N. Africa
The objective of this PNB-NAPEO half-day event was to convene diaspora members from the Maghreb to discuss ways they can effectively contribute to building out a more sustainable eco-system that advances innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The event featured two roundtable discussions focused on supporting entrepreneur mentorship and education, as well as building out access to finance and investment.
PNB offers a pipeline of opportunities for diaspora members to reengage in their countries of origin and invest time and resources into initiatives that have a measurable social impact. Since 2011, we have involved members of the diaspora in all PNB countries to engage them on concrete action items. In the last two years we have developed a series of success stories that can be used as best practices for future diaspora engagement.
Introduction by Walter Isaacson, President, The Aspen Institute
Roundtable 1: Mentoring and Education Opportunities
This session focused on how the diaspora can engage in mentoring and training entrepreneurs, as well as supporting education development and exchange between U.S. and regional universities.
Roundtable 2: Access to Finance and Investment
This session focused on how diaspora can engage in supporting early stage access to finance for entrepreneurs, as well as explore strategic investment opportunities in the region.
Outcome: We engaged North African diaspora and presented opportunities which will have a strong social impact in their home countries. The PNB Secretariat will do follow-up based on action items and priority areas discussed during the sessions.