Foreword

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Diasporas are powerful and agile partners driving transformative change. With their transnational expertise and extensive networks, they act as dynamic catalysts for economic growth, social progress, and resilience in humanitarian, peace, and development efforts.

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This special issue celebrates how diasporas lead innovative and inclusive solutions in three vital areas: health and wellbeing, climate action, and the empowerment of women and youth. Across twelve stories, readers will encounter inspiring examples of how diasporas are translating knowledge into practice and solidarity into measurable impact.

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From Somali health professionals restoring dignity to conflict survivors, to Filipino nurses strengthening care systems in the Nordic countries and Tunisian entrepreneurs expanding opportunities for women and youth, each narrative highlights how diasporas contribute to stronger, more resilient societies. In Colombia, climate innovators link renewable energy with gender equality, while Afghan, Egyptian, and Bangladeshi communities use film, research, and advocacy to promote hope, education, and inclusion. Across regions and disciplines, diaspora voices stand at the centre of transformation, demonstrating that belonging and leadership transcend borders.

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This publication directly aligns with the vision of the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance (GDPA), established following the Dublin Declaration and officially launched at the International Conference on the Future Agenda of Action for Global Diaspora Engagement in Cabo Verde in 2024. The GDPA provides a shared platform where governments, international organisations, academia, private sector, and diaspora communities work together to advance engagement in three interconnected areas: health and wellbeing, gender and youth empowerment, and climate action and environment. It places diaspora voices at the centre of policy dialogue, ensuring that decisions are guided by the lived experience and expertise of transnational communities.

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These stories are not just accounts of achievement but collective pathways toward stronger cooperation. They show how diasporas bring the principles of the Global Compact for Migration, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Global Diaspora Summit to life. They remind us that global commitments gain meaning only when they reflect the realities, creativity, and leadership of those who live between worlds.

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As the GDPA continues to evolve, this special issue contributes to its growing body of shared knowledge, giving visibility to best practices and fostering collaboration across sectors and borders. By placing diaspora voices at the centre, we reaffirm that sustainable development and peace are built through inclusion, trust, and the power of human connection.

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This publication was made possible thanks to the partnership between Routed Magazine and the iDiaspora platform. The editors in chief Larisa Lara Guerrero and Annie Yunxian Jiang at the IOM Headquarters in Geneva, and Margaret Koudelkova from Routed Magazine would like to thank all the authors who participated in this publication through a competitive call for papers launched in May 2025. The editors are particularly grateful to the authors who contributed to this number through their diverse backgrounds and experiences.

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We wish to particularly thank the following people for their contributions as editors and coordinators to the publication: Shaddin Almasri, Fiona Buchanan, Lena Hartz, Chrysi Kyratsou, Woopi Takarasima, Sarah Etter, Charles Mbatsogo, Idil Asan, Ritwika Patgiri, Lilian Ebere Anazube and Isaac Brewer.