Why engage diasporas?

This chapter shows how different diasporic groups from the Middle East participate in peace-making efforts in their conflict-ridden home countries. The types of Middle Eastern diasporic participation on which case studies have been based include establishing advocacy networks, lobbying policy-makers in the host state, participating politically through external voting, taking part in conflict resolution, investing and providing development support, and supporting reconciliation and justice-seeking endeavours. The chapter focuses on the positive impact that diasporas can have on homeland conflicts and specifically highlighted their role in post-conflict reconstruction and development, whether it be through investing in the homeland economy or by acting as a third party between donors and homeland governments. One factor to hinder diasporic engagement in homeland development and post-conflict reconstruction through official channels can be a lack of trust towards local institutions and financial instruments.