Diaspora engagement discussions often overlook a fundamental question: how do we ensure continuity across generations? Engaging young people is not easy. This is true everywhere. However, in the diaspora context, the challenge is deeper because young people must navigate questions of identity, belonging, and loyalty across borders. Diaspora youth are not a single group. Broadly, they fall into at least two categories: First-generation diaspora youth are those who migrated at a young age.
Many retain strong emotional, cultural, and linguistic ties to their country of origin. Their connection to the homeland is often shaped by lived experience and memory; Second-generation diasporans, however, are born and raised in host countries. Their relationship to the motherland is inherited rather than experienced. It is shaped by family stories, cultural practices at home, occasional visits, and sometimes by distance, silence, or even tension. It is this second group that has been largely neglected in diaspora engagement debates. Most diaspora engagement initiatives implicitly assume a level of attachment, knowledge, and motivation that second-generation youth may not naturally have. Policies, programs, and platforms are often designed for people who already feel a strong connection to their homeland.
Second-generation youth are rarely centered as a distinct audience with unique needs, questions, and realities. As a result, many grow up seeing diaspora engagement as something their parents do, not something that belongs to them. Yet this generation represents the long-term future of diaspora engagement. At the heart of youth engagement lies a simple yet powerful question: Do young people feel that they belong in the national narrative? For many second-generation diasporans, identity is complex. They are shaped by the culture, values, and systems of the countries in which they live, while also carrying the heritage of their parents.
This duality can be enriching, but it can also be confusing. Some young people resolve this ambiguity by distancing themselves from the homeland to integrate more fully into the host society. Others feel pressure to choose one identity over another, as if belonging must be singular and exclusive. This is where diaspora engagement must evolve. Rather than forcing young people to “choose,” we should be encouraging hyphenated identities. Being Ugandan-American or Nigerian-Canadian is not a weakness; it’s a strength. It is a strength. Young people who understand the cultural values of the societies in which they live, while also being grounded in their own historical and cultural heritage, are uniquely positioned to make meaningful contributions to both countries. These young people often move effortlessly between worlds.
They understand global systems, local contexts, and cultural nuance. When supported, they can become bridges, innovators, and leaders. Cultural values do not pass themselves on. Language, history, identity, and a sense of responsibility to community require intentional effort. In fact, young people who are confident in themselves tend to engage more fully and authentically with the world around them. Diaspora engagement should therefore not start with expectations of contribution. It should begin with belonging, education, and affirmation. Young people who feel seen, respected, and included in national conversations are more likely to show up later as professionals, investors, advocates, and leaders.
