The diaspora has been identified as a potential source of financial, human and social capital, which could be used to support the development of countries of origin. Multi-layered contributions of the diaspora to development differ in specific circumstances, history and structure, including, above all, the number and distribution of a particular diaspora, time dimension, integration results, experiences from involvement in certain activities, and individual characteristics of diaspora members.
The diaspora of BiH origin is largely highly educated, well integrated in the host countries and economically active, which makes it a potential participant that could contribute to the development of the country of origin through various forms of assistance. The transfer of knowledge and technology in BiH, in addition to a significant transfer of financial capital, is considered equally important.
Social capital - social networks, norms, social trust - are also an important factor in development. Emigrant networks are usually an important source of knowledge about employment, housing and access to finance. In addition, emigrant networks provide financial, social and emotional support in the host country - they are one way of transferring knowledge and resources.
Although successful initiatives in various sectors already exist and make a concrete contribution to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, research shows that the potentials and resources of the diaspora are far greater, but still not sufficiently connected, coordinated, and therefore used.
This applies in particular to the knowledge, experience and professional skills and networks that the diaspora has acquired in other countries.
Networking as a prerequisite for successful communication
The successfully networked and partner-strengthened Bosnian diaspora represents an important milestone in the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina on a global level, and nurtures the values of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thus strengthens the role of each individual covered by this network.
Through this project, the diaspora will be strengthened and networked, in the absence of any political, national or religious connotations. Bosnia and Herzegovina's identity will be strengthened as a turning point in mutual cooperation and development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the primary values of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be nurtured, selfless advocacy for the community will be nurtured, and the individual will be strengthened.
The institutional environment for the involvement of the diaspora (in development) affects the economic, political and social connection with the country. An increasing number of countries are beginning to institutionalize relations with their diasporas.
When we look at the institutional aspiration to create formal relations of the diaspora with the home country, it is very much conditioned by the complex institutional, economic and political state organization, although there are interests for the same.
The lack of mutual communication and cooperation with the BiH diaspora continues to be one of the challenges for mobilizing the diaspora for the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, knowledge and technology transfer, mutual networking and a unified approach in the host countries, where Bosnia and Herzegovina would be adequately represented in a positive light, with opportunities for investment development, international cooperation projects, but also mutual cooperation and dialogue with the aim of improving the status of Bosnians and Herzegovinians in the host countries.
About the project
The general strategy of the project is networking and lobbying of all persons who nurture the civilizational values of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and who are confirmed friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina in any sense - scientific, cultural, social, financial, political ...
Through the efforts of each individual, the organizations of the Bosnian diaspora in the world will successfully coordinate and network, and then all individuals who are important links in the overall vision of the project.
Main strategic goal 1
Successful establishment of bases of the Bosnian diaspora through the project "5 million friends of BiH" "backed by two organizations in Switzerland: La Terra Nostra and i-diaspora / i-platform, with the planned accession of eight additional Bosnian organizations from countries with large diaspora from BiH - USA , Canada, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Middle East, Australia) + one organization from BiH as strategic partners of the project.
Each of the BiH organizations will seek to bring together organizations and individuals who should operate in the local section of Global Networking, with ten sub-sections, as follows:
- Informatics and information sciences;
- Philosophy, psychology;
- Religion, theology;
- Social sciences, statistics, politics, government, economics, law, military;
- Mathematics, natural sciences;
- Medicine;
- Arts, recreation, entertainment, music, sports;
- Language, linguistics, literature;
- Geography, history, bibliography:
- Positive examples of mutual cooperation of people from the BiH environment.
In each of these sections, the goal is to bring together organizations that have strong Bosnian members and individuals or friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to present positive examples of the contribution of Bosnian people to these areas, both in the world and in knowledge transfer to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Main strategic goal 2
Successfully established mutual cooperation and maintaining strong ties, with at least 1000 people from the business, cultural, sports, scientific and diplomatic world important for the processes of improving the image of Bosnian society at the world level and daily lobbying to improve the image of the country and society.
These are, for example: Angelina Jolie, Stjepan Mesić, Bernard-Hénry Levy, Edin Džeko, etc.…
Main strategic goal 3
Coordinated and transparent national fundraising campaign through the charity La Terra Nostra in Switzerland for funding:
- 1/3 for the employment of professional Project Managers in BiH who will work on selected projects to transfer knowledge of the Bosnian diaspora from around the world in BiH.
- 1/3 for investing in humanitarian activities and culture,
- 1/3 for investing in the economy (primarily in start-up companies)
- all funds will be directly invested (without intermediaries) and published in detail on our social networks.
Main strategic goal 4
Protection of all cultural features and historical monuments important to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Five million friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina" is actually the minimum number we need to gather. We need and can do more. We look forward to our friends from Montenegro, Croatia, Northern Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia, and to all people of good will in general. We want Bosnia and Herzegovina in one place.
The development of this project, at least at its inception, will be taken care of by volunteers, members of the La Terra Nostra Foundation and the i-diaspora / i-platform, but representatives of the BiH authorities and international organizations are also very welcome.
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