Date: July 24th – 26th, 2026 Time: 11 am – 6 pm each day Venue: Leicester Business Centre, 111 Ross Walk, Leicester, Leicestershire LE4 5HH, United Kingdom Organized by: The International Diaspora Union (IDU) In Collaboration with: London College of Creative Media (LCCM) Geographical Focus: Global   Context and Rationale Diaspora, grassroots community actors, and diaspora associations from diverse global communities play a vital role in shaping social cohesion, economic resilience, and sustainable development outcomes across their countries of origin and residence. Their engagement drives innovation, entrepreneurship, community development, and cross-border investment worldwide.   However, social divisions, misinformation, limited economic inclusion, and weak collaboration between communities and the private sector can undermine peace and slow development. Conversely, peaceful engagement, inclusive dialogue, and economic participation create enabling environments for investment, job creation, and long-term prosperity. In alignment with the framework and the 2030 Agenda for UN Sustainable Development, this initiative positions Diaspora, grassroots communities and diaspora groups as partners in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. It also provides structured exhibition and networking platforms for businesses, investors, and corporate organizations.   Objectives To strengthen peaceful coexistence and social cohesion among diaspora, grassroots, and diaspora communities worldwide. To empower youth/women and diaspora groups as contributors to sustainable development and economic transformation. To connect peaceful community engagement with entrepreneurship, investment, and job creation. To provide exhibition platforms for businesses and corporate organizations to showcase products, services, and development-oriented investments. To foster partnerships between communities, the private sector, and development institutions.   Target Groups International Diaspora Union country offices/members globally Youth/Women leadership, students, and community innovators Grassroots community organizations and networks Diaspora associations across the UK, Canada, the US, the EU, Asia, Africa and other global regions Corporate organizations and private sector actors SMEs, startups, creative industry enterprises, and investors Development partners and civil society organizations

This course provides a practical, hands-on introduction to QGIS and is designed for professionals who want to integrate mapping into their work but are unsure where to begin. Whether you work in humanitarian action, development cooperation, environmental protection, or another data-driven field, the ability to work confidently with spatial data is becoming an increasingly valuable skill. In this introductory training, you will gain a solid foundation in QGIS. You will learn core mapping concepts, work with accessible geospatial datasets, and develop an understanding of how professional maps are designed and applied in real-world contexts. By the end of the course, you will be able to work with maps independently and confidently, and to use QGIS as a practical and powerful tool in your professional work.

The HLA Webinar Series is an online initiative designed to connect, inform and inspire humanitarians from around the world. We promote information sharing and knowledge exchange on topical issues facing the sector. The next Humanitarian Tech series webinar will be in partnership with NetHope: What will it take to accelerate collective action on localised humanitarian AI?  Join for a candid panel discussion identifying practical priorities and pathways for coordinated action across the humanitarian ecosystem.  

The Global Somali Diaspora International Conference (GSDIC) 2026, taking place 4–6 September 2026 in Queensland, Australia, will convene global Somali diaspora leaders, governments, development partners and investors to strengthen diaspora engagement in Somalia’s development, stability and climate resilience agenda.  The conference builds on the outcomes of GSDIC 2024, translating diaspora commitments into actionable partnerships and investment pathways. Conference Purpose Driving economic growth and investment Strengthening governance and peacebuilding Advancing climate resilience and sustainability Promoting self-reliance and reducing aid dependency Mobilising global expertise and partnerships Core Thematic Priorities Diaspora Investment & Economic Development Governance & Institutional Strengthening Climate Change & Environmental Resilience Knowledge Transfer & Capacity Development Humanitarian Response & Social Development Self-Reliance & Reducing Aid Dependency Programme Day 1 (4 Sept): Arrival, registration, and high-level networking reception Day 2 (5 Sept): Strategic dialogue, policy engagement, and diaspora investment forum Day 3 (6 Sept): Climate resilience, innovation, partnerships, and adoption of global declaration

The world's leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief event returns to Geneva on 21-22 October 2026. AidExexplores solution-oriented and innovative approaches, as well as systemic changes needed for a sustainable and effective crisis response in the conference agenda and exhibition. The humanitarian system is creaking, overwhelmed by overlapping crises and funding shortages exacerbated by the USAID dissolution and cuts to other public donor funding, making adaptation critical to address today’s challenges. AidEx is co-located with Development2030, a global event uniting international development actors in pursuit of sustainable development goals. The two events bring humanitarian aid and international development professionals under one roof to explore the latest innovations, meet new suppliers, share experiences with peers, build meaningful relationships and collaborate in new projects. Participants include UN agencies, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, local and international NGOs, donors, DFIs, IFIs, impact investors, MDBs, foundations, government, and many different businesses with an interest in A&D from the private sector.