Diaspora in Development

Hosted by Host: Soraya Senosier

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Jan 2026

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About the show

The Diaspora and Development Podcast is a place where men and women of the African, Asian, Caribbean, and Latin American diaspora working in international development can discuss issues that impact the developing world and their careers. This show is produced by Lola Keyes and Hosted by Soraya Senosier - Editor Katie Stokes S1 Edit/Music: Rukyato & Soile Tolu | S3: APodcastgeek

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21 recent

January 6, 202652 min

Mountains to Cross: Developing educational initiatives in India and tackling caste culture

Daughters of Destiny is a 2017 English-language original Netflix documentary series created by Oscar-winning filmmaker Vaness Roth. It follows a group of disadvantaged children in rural India enrolled in the ⁠Shanti Bhavan⁠ residential school located in Tamil Nadu, India (Wikipedia). In this episode we invite to discover the live of Dr. George Abraham the founder of Shanti Bhavan. Shanti Bhavan is an Indian boarding school, this educational initiative aims tonprovide education and empowerment to children born into India’s lowest castes. Like many members of his diaspora, Dr George sought his fortunenin the US, joining the corporate world of finance. His personal experience withndiscrimination whilst a student in the States, alongside the impact of India's caste system, gave him a new purpose. After a successful career, he turned to philanthropy, and Shanti Bhavan was born. On the show, we’ll uncover: · Dr Abhram’s upbringing andcareer in finance and the military · His thoughts on social justiceand international development in India · The impact of poverty and socialdiscrimination and India · The people and books thatinfluenced his philanthropy · How he founded Shanti Bhavan, aboarding school for the children of the poorest castes · The difficulties and bureaucracyhe faced in founding Shanti Bhavan · His involvement in journalismand how a strong media keeps governments accountable · The importance of the diasporain contributing to development efforts · International attention: The impact of Netflix Documentary, “Daughters of Destiny” and his upcoming book, Mountains to Cross Get your copy of Mountains to Cross here. From the corporate world to philanthropy, follow Dr George’sjourney on Diaspora in Development. Find out why it’s so important for the diaspora community to look past the money in their success and seek out ways to contribute to their home communities, whether big or small. The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for.

November 4, 202544 min

International Development through the lens of behavioural science with Sarah Osman

Sarah Osman joins Diaspora in Development to tackle the fundamental beliefs and human understanding in the International Development. From Khartoum to Oslo, she offers a fresh perspective, at the intersection of psychology, behavioural science and social impact. A fresh take in more ways than one, Sarah introduces you to what international developmentcould be. Having founded Osman Advisory Services,she deep dives into career, representation and scientific rigour required for lasting development at local, regional and international levels. On the show, Soraya and Sarah discuss: How Sarah’s career journey led her tofound Osman Advisory Services · How her consultancy has been built at theintersection of psychology, behavioural design and social impact · She delves into her background, fromZambia to the Netherlands, and how it has shaped her worldview · Her own concept of representation: ThirdCulture Kids & Afropolitan · How her specialisation in behaviouralchange and health psychology created her focus on HIV prevention · Her thoughts on the challenges, rewardsand limits in the international development sector · She introduces ELLA, a digital programthat supports women with roots in the global majority interested in Consultancywork · Her approach to a more inclusive sectorthat reassess its current practices · Her case studies on successfulcollaborations between Western and local universities for more balancedapproaches · Her thoughts on reform: What’s necessaryto balance humanitarian needs with innovation and market development? · Her own personal reflections on hercareer milestones · Her personal hopes for the future: Ineducation, the young people of Africa and the continuous improvement ofhumanity A scientists rigour weaves through thisentire show. It is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in the future ofhumanity. How do we make decisions in the international development sector?What’s driving our approaches? And lastly, can we do better, collaborativelyand inclusively. The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of theindividuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes thatthey work for.

October 7, 202545 min

Humanitarian Aid Through Creative Expression

In this episode, we introduce the Executive Director of FilmAid in Kenya, Stella Suge. In the last 20 years, she has supported the growth of the organisation from admin through to directorship. The organisation offers media training for vulnerable and refugee communities, giving hundreds of people the opportunity to tell authentic stories. In this episode, we introduce theExecutive Director of FilmAid in Kenya, Stella Suge. In the last 20 years, shehas supported the growth of the organisation from admin through todirectorship. The organisation offers media training for vulnerable and refugeecommunities, giving hundreds of people the opportunity to tell authenticstories.

September 2, 2025Episode 156 min

Diaspora led Organizations- Support Black Charities with Anick Silencieux

It's our anniversary!! Three years ago on September 5th, I launched the Diaspora in Development Podcast. The first guest I invited said yes immediately. I celebrate her and our podcast by re-releasing my first episode a conversation with Anick Silencieux, founder and executive director of Support Black Charities. Support Black Charitiesis an online directory that connects Black-led, Black focus or Black-serving organizations to supporters and allies in the community. Anick and I will talk about her organization and what led her to create Support Black Charities. For more about Support Black Charities, check out their website: https://supportblackcharities.org/ Host: Soraya Senosier - Music and editing: Rukayato-fiverrThe opinions shared on this podcast are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for.

August 5, 202535 min

Conceptualising risk and adapting to policy changes for humanitarian organisations

In this episode we speak to Tara Arthur, the co-founder and CEO of the Collective Security Group. She has more than 25 years of Martial Arts experience and she’s channelled that competitive work ethic into her work protecting and supporting people working in difficult political and socialclimates across the world. Some of the areas we’ll cover on theepisode are: · How Tara established herself in amale-dominated field emphasising her empathetic skills · How she became the CEO and co-founder ofthe Collective Security Group · How her cultural and martial artsbackground gave her USP in security in the humanitarian sector · How she describes Collective SecurityGroups person-centred approach to safety and security · The importance of equipping individualswith the tools to navigate difficult situations and mitigate risks · Her approach to mental health andwellbeing in a cultural context and how it has supported her work · How her work has led to her own researchon the impact of race, ethnicity and nationality on aid worker security · How she highlights the importance of fullpersonhood for effective security measures · How diaspora communities play asignificant role in bridging contextual and cultural gaps in security · Her advice for how entrepreneurs can meetthe challenges of the future With the US policy climate changing,safety and security is one of the most significant areas for growth anddevelopment. Tara delves into the changes, the evolution and how the future ofhumanitarian aid is supporting individual issues with safety – not lumpingeveryone into the same proverbial camp! The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of theindividuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes thatthey work for.

July 1, 202531 min

How to harness a diaspora for good: Advocacy & Policy Development

On the show, Soraya Senoiser interviews Jessica Kanya-Ngambi, founder of the Africa Diaspora Connection. As a Congolese first-generation migrant, she has a unique view on the importance of the diaspora in advocacy, representation and capacity-building in humanitarian development. Over the past decade, she has managed multi-million dollar programs in more than 20 African and MENA countries. Now she joins the show to discuss how she is changing the character of mobilising support for humanitarian projects from across the diaspora. An absolute well of ideas, enthusiasm and work ethic, Jessica introduces you to the humility, creativity and work ethic required to work on behalf of her diaspora. Pushing back on the intra-ethnic conflict stories in The Congo and harnessing local knowledge and support, she is pushing for a new future supported by an engaged, knowledgeable diaspora.

June 10, 202544 min

Climate Resilience in Small Island Developing States: Building Resilience Within

In this episode we speak to Dr Pepukaye Bardouille, a climate resilience expert specialising in small developing states. Her career has been lucrative, using her expansive knowledge at the United Nations Development programme and after Hurricane Marina. She started her career in earnest as the lead at the Climate Resistance Executing Agency in Dominica. Whilst the headlines are often dominated by the move to Net Zero in the OECD, what is often shrouded in silence, is the impact that climate change has on low-lying states. Dr Bardouille offers in-depth insight on her work in the office of the Prime Minister for Barbados on the show including: · Her journey into climate resistance work · The unique challenges of work with small island developing states (SIDS) · The development of her passion through her focus on Eastern and Southern Africa · The impact of the brain drain on climate resilience for Caribbean states Her approach looks at a career in climate resilience and the infrastructure reform required to protect the most vulnerable populations. As a proponent of The Bridgetown Initiative, she aims to reform international financial institutions and increase investment in low-carbon technologies and adaption. Take the journey with Diaspora in Development! The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for.

May 6, 2025Episode 428 min

Tackling Eco-Anxiety in the Global South Through Creative Advocacy

Today’s guest is Svetlana Chigozie Onye, a British-Nigerian climate journalist, writer, and advocate whose work bridges environmental justice, mental health, and storytelling across the Global South. She leads The Eco-Anxiety Africa Project(TEAP), an initiative that explores the psychological toll of climate change on African communities through intergenerational dialogues, climate cafés, andyouth-led training programs in Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda. Svetlana's efforts have garnered international recognition, including her participation as a delegate at the Skoll World Forum and COP29, where she emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health into climate policy discussions. With a background in creative writing and human rights, Svetlana employs storytelling as a powerful tool to humanize climate narratives,. Her journalism delves into systemic environmental challenges, such as the impact of foreignindustrial activities on local ecosystems and the gendered dimensions of climate degradation. Through her multifaceted work, Svetlana advocates for accessible climate education and the amplification of underrepresented voices in environmental discourse. In the podcast episode, Svetlana shares her perspective on the intersection of climate change, education, and policy, particularly in African contexts. Explains the concept of Eco-Anxiety and talks about the need for localized climate education and advocates.

April 1, 2025Episode 341 min

Leading Humanitarian Aid with Dignity: The immigrant perspective

In this episode we speak to Marina Kobveza, is the Director of Programmes and Partnerships at MapAction. She is a humanitarian leader with 20 years of experience, here on the show to discuss everything from the impact of George Floyd’s murder to the need for data to be evidenced with empathetic narratives. Marina introduces you to her own career in humanitarian aid through her lived experience. As a child in Azerbaijan, that first encounter with humanitarian aid, inspired her to put her energies into one of her first career choices, The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She has seen first-hand, how large international agencies have failed to support those most in-need with ineffective leadership and bloated internal structures. On the show, she gets to the heart of decolonising narratives in aid and supporting narratives that use data, to inform and persuade, keeping human experience at the centre of aid. Some of the areas we’ll cover on the episode are: · The challenges in humanitarian aid and its ethical considerations · The decolonisation process in humanitarian aid · The impact of identity and keeping immigrant influences at the centre of her work · What solutions we have when aid budgets are cut in traditional supporting countries · How the humanitarian system needs to become leaner to benefit from diaspora funding · How there has been a growing recognition for mental health support among aid workers As the international humanitarian aid sector is rocked by shockwaves from the US and across the western world, what solutions are there? How do you lead with empathy? Continue to humanize communities? Lead with dignity that promotes sustained support? Marina tackles this and more on Diaspora in Development. The opinions shared on this forum are the opinions of the individuals and are not the opinions of the organizations and institutes that they work for

March 4, 202524 min

Meaningful Participation through Refugee lead Research

In this episode of Diaspora in Development , we sit down with Andhira Yousef, an independent researcher dedicated to elevating refugee-led research in East Africa. With collaborations spanning Oxford University’s Refugee Hub, Columbia University, and ODI, Andhira has worked extensively on documenting grassroots refugee-led organizations and improving energy access in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. She shares insights on how community-driven research shapes impactful policies and programs, emphasizing the need for genuine participation over tokenization Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on how the power of meaningful engagement can transform the refugee experience.