NAVIGATING A NEW ERA:​

THE BASQUE GOVERNMENT´S PUBLIC POLICY TOWARDS DIASPORA

BENAN OREGI IÑURRIETA

Benan-Oregi@euskadi.eus

Law 8/1994

Law 8/1994

1) Basques resident abroad, and their dependents, to whom Article 7.2 of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country refers.

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2) Those born in the Basque Country who were evacuated as a consequence of the Spanish civil war, and who continue to reside abroad.

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3) Members of recognized Basque centers.

How many of us are there?

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Recognition and registration of Basque centers

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Distribution of financial support to the Basque communities through grant processes, 1995-2024

Institutional: Delegations of the Basque Government

Economic: Basque Trade & Investment

Cultural: Etxepare Institute programs at Universities

Celebrate plus educate equals perpetuate

…the approach must come from the entire government, not just one department. Everyone must be involved; and all sectors, businesses, education, unions, and the press must understand the concept and the benefits of the diaspora for the Basque Country. And that means everyone must participate, not only within the Basque Country, but also beyond. That's what Diasporize means.​

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(Deia: Interview to Kingsley Aikins, October 7, 2015)

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• Growing interest of diaspora commitment: 450 diaspora initiatives in 56 countries.​

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• “Here” and “there”’ , composed lives. Geography used to determine your identity; today, Geography is History.​

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• From “lost assets” to “national assets”.​

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• Hot and politically sensitive topic.​

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• Paradox: The Globe is more international and more local at the same time.​

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• From the old model of “core-periphery” to fluxes of capabilities, capital and technology in both directions.​

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• The USA before; today, Canada, Australia and Ireland + Chinese “sea turtles” (haigui).​

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• Source of “soft power” or “smart power”.​

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• From “global nation” to “global notion”. From the vertical model to the horizontal model, based on networks.​

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“Individuals and members of networks, associations and communities who have left their country of origin but maintain links with their countries of origin. This concept covers more established expatriate communities, migrant workers residing temporarily abroad, expatriates with the nationality of the host country, persons with dual nationality and second/third-generation migrants.”

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(IOM, 2019)

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Broader concept of diaspora

• Transversality​

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• Alignment

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• Mid and long term​

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• Endorsement​

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• Non partisan​

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• Rights-based​

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• Leadership

General principles

• Centralized, yet flexible strategy​

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• Do not prioritize economic ties over social and cultural networks​

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• Mutually beneficial​

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• Know diasporas well to involve them​

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• Broad definition of diaspora​

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• Consult before implementing​

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• Transparent and evaluable strategies​

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• There is no ideal institutional framework​

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• Incorporate diaspora strategies into the international conversation​

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• Diaspora strategies, aligned with the country´s needs

Specific principles

• Current diaspora​

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• Ancestral or historic diaspora​

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• Next generation diaspora​

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• Return diaspora​

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• Affinity diaspora

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Diaspora segmentation​

Rowing together

Eskerrik asko