The Diplomatic Table: Declaration of Diaspora Determination

Designing the Future of Global African Diaspora Representation within the African Union

A Virtual Interactive Diplomatic Simulation & Tabletop Exercise

Join the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) for a first-of-its-kind diplomatic governance simulation exploring one of the most important institutional questions facing the global African community:

What would it take to establish a globally recognized representative mechanism for the African diaspora within the African Union?

This simulation is inspired by BPIA's continued engagement with the African Union Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO)—the African Union directorate responsible for strengthening partnerships with African citizens, civil society organizations, and the global African diaspora. In 2026, BPIA has been invited to participate in the African Union CIDO Diaspora Forum in Burundi, where diaspora leaders from across Africa, North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and beyond will convene to discuss the future of Africa's engagement with its global diaspora.

Building on that real-world opportunity, participants will step into the roles of diplomats, policymakers, civil society leaders, academics, and diaspora representatives tasked with addressing one of the African Union's most significant long-term governance questions:

How can the global African diaspora organize itself to become a more coordinated and representative partner of the African Union?

Date: Monday, July 27, 2026

⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

Location: Virtual (Zoom) https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Relevant Materials

• 2023 Report - BPIA x AU CIDO Diaspora Forum Report 
• White Paper - 2026 AU x BPIA White Paper (Open to Comments)
• All Reports - US-Africa Policy Briefing Series

What to Expect

Working through a collaborative diplomatic simulation and tabletop exercise, participants will explore questions of governance, legitimacy, leadership, representation, institutional design, and accountability. Together, we will examine how a diverse global African diaspora—spanning continents, cultures, and generations—might organize itself around shared priorities while supporting the African Union's objectives for engagement, innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

Rather than debating history alone, this simulation challenges participants to design practical solutions. Through facilitated negotiation and strategic discussion, attendees will draft recommendations on institutional structure, leadership models, membership, and pathways for future collaboration between the African Union and the global African diaspora.

Together We Will Explore

✅ What should meaningful diaspora representation look like?

✅ How can Africa and its global diaspora collaborate more effectively?

✅ What governance model would best serve future generations?

✅ How should leadership, legitimacy, and accountability be established?

✅ What recommendations should be advanced to African Union leaders?

Discussion Topics Include

• Defining the global African diaspora
• Representation and institutional legitimacy
• Governance and leadership models
• Economic development and innovation
• Trade, investment, and entrepreneurship
• Youth and next-generation leadership
• Civil society coordination
• Institutional design and organizational structure
• Recommendations for future African Union engagement

The session will be facilitated by Alexandria Maloney, President of the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) and is designed for diplomats, policymakers, government officials, researchers, nonprofit leaders, students, and members of the global African diaspora.

No prior diplomatic experience is required.

Whether you are joining to learn, contribute, or challenge conventional thinking, this simulation offers a unique opportunity to participate in a collaborative policy design exercise addressing one of the most consequential questions surrounding Africa's future global engagement.

Take a seat at the Diplomatic Table and help shape the next chapter of Africa–diaspora collaboration.