DAWN Events
Public Events | Service Projects | Annual Dinners
As part of its relationship with its members, the local community and Africa-related networks, DAWN regularly participates in events with its members and the general public. Below are a few of our events over the years.
DAWN at the First Annual Global Diaspora Forum
In May 2011, DAWN participated as a panelist in the first-ever Global Diaspora Forum, an 3-day event hosted by the State Department and in partnership with USAID and the Migration Policy Institute. The event focused on examining the role of diasporas in foreign policy and development and participants heard remarks from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, USAID Administrator Raj Shah, Millenium Challenge Corporation CEO Daniel Yohannes, OPIC's Vice President Mimi Alemayehou, as well as a number of diaspora representatives from across the country.
DAWN Executive Director Semhar Araia presented at the first plenary session of the Forum, titled "Building Bridges: Diasporas, Their Homelands and the US". Speaking to an audience of over 300 people, Semhar introduced DAWN and emphasized the importance of effective diaspora organizing, networking and sustained engagement within diaspora and non-diaspora circles in a framework aptly coined ROPE (Representation, Ownership, Participation and Engagement). The Forum concluded with the official launch of the International Diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), a new platform to create public-private partnerships to engage with diaspora actors and communities.
To learn more about DAWN's presentation and the forum, you can go to http://www.diasporaalliance.org or read summaries from Project Diaspora, MicroLinks,and the Jamaican Observer.
DAWN Executive Director Semhar Araia presented at the first plenary session of the Forum, titled "Building Bridges: Diasporas, Their Homelands and the US". Speaking to an audience of over 300 people, Semhar introduced DAWN and emphasized the importance of effective diaspora organizing, networking and sustained engagement within diaspora and non-diaspora circles in a framework aptly coined ROPE (Representation, Ownership, Participation and Engagement). The Forum concluded with the official launch of the International Diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA), a new platform to create public-private partnerships to engage with diaspora actors and communities.
To learn more about DAWN's presentation and the forum, you can go to http://www.diasporaalliance.org or read summaries from Project Diaspora, MicroLinks,and the Jamaican Observer.
DAWN at the President's Forum with African Youth Leaders
In August 2010, DAWN was invited to participate in the President's Forum with African Youth Leaders, an initiative with approximately 120 young leaders from Africa's civil society and the private sector representing more than forty countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The participants shared their insights on key themes of youth empowerment, good governance, and economic opportunity.
Titled "Speaking Truth to Power: Overcoming Obstacles to Change", DAWN spoke briefly to the delegates about best practices for effective networking, organizing and advocacy skills. It was a lively discussion with nearly one-third of the delegates in attendance. DAWN shared the floor with the Africa Society and also attended the plenary session where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson delivered remarks to the delegates.
Titled "Speaking Truth to Power: Overcoming Obstacles to Change", DAWN spoke briefly to the delegates about best practices for effective networking, organizing and advocacy skills. It was a lively discussion with nearly one-third of the delegates in attendance. DAWN shared the floor with the Africa Society and also attended the plenary session where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson delivered remarks to the delegates.
- Click here to meet the delegates and watch their video here and here.
- Click here for more information about the Forum and what's next.
- For a full transcript of President Obama's Town Hall Forum with the leaders, click here.
DAWN at DC Mayor's Office on African Affairs' Annual DC Africa Festival
In July 2011, for the second year in a row, DAWN partnered with the the Mayor's Office on African Affairs (OAA) to host the 2nd Annual D.C. Africa Festival.
The Festival showcases and highlights African culture and communities in the District of Columbia. The 2011 theme was be "One City, Many Voices", showcasing Africa's cultural and economic contributions to the District of Columbia.
The Festival showcases and highlights African culture and communities in the District of Columbia. The 2011 theme was be "One City, Many Voices", showcasing Africa's cultural and economic contributions to the District of Columbia.
DAWN Career Panel on International Organizations
In October 2010, DAWN hosted a career panel on Careers in International Organizations for its members and students at The Washington Center, featuring fellow DAWNers Nicole Amartefio from the World Bank and Shani Cooke from the United Nations and USAID, along with Jamie Bey from Devex, the largest provider of business intelligence and recruitment services to the development community.
An intimate, detailed, and frank discussion, our esteemed speakers shared insights into life as a professional with advice on how to break into a career in an international organization, including:
An intimate, detailed, and frank discussion, our esteemed speakers shared insights into life as a professional with advice on how to break into a career in an international organization, including:
- It takes passion, focus and dedication to succeed. If you are passionate about an issue, write about it and post it to a blog. If you are focused on working at a specific organization, reach out and meet key people at the organization- set up an informational interview. If you are dedicated to working on specific issues, dedicate your time to learning more and being an expert in that field.
- As one panelist wisely quoted mogul Oprah Winifrey, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Remain steadfast and be ready at all times for the next big step in your career and life.
DAWN "Women as Leaders" Reception
