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DASILVA-GLASGOW, DIANNA

DASILVA-GLASGOW, DIANNA

PhD Economic Development Policy / Head, Department of Economics @ University of Guyana

Bio

Dianna DaSilva- Glasgow has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, a Master of Science Degree in International Trade Policy (Distinction) and a PhD in Economic Development Policy (high commendation). She has over ten years of experience as a Lecturer/ Researcher/ Consultant. She has published one book; book chapters with Cambridge Scholar Publishers, World Development Outlook and UWI Press Publishing; and journal articles with Estey Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, Transition Journal, Social and Economic Studies Journal and International Trade Journal. She currently serves as the Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Guyana.

Geographical location : Guyana

Research Area and Interest : International trade and factor movements, food security and agricultural policy

Social Media

Panel

Politics and Community

Presentation

Reimagining the Diaspora in Community Development in Guyana through Targeted Volunteerism: Lessons for the Anglophone Caribbean

Guyana’s economic history has been marked by underdevelopment amidst resource abundance. The country’s diverse and sizable resource base was recently augmented with the discovery of oil and gas. This discovery of oil and gas is predicted to propel a reversal in the economic fortunes of the country. Such predictions are tenable. However, despite global market changes relevant to several Guyana’s tradable resources, the country’s macroeconomy has not displayed commensurate levels of development. Several arguments have been advanced over the years to offer insights into the country’s deficient economic performance and to assess the prospects for its economic advancement with the recent discovery of oil. This paper seeks to add to the literature regarding the debilitating factors and prospects for achieving faster economic advancement in Guyana by applying the Hausman and Rodrik Framework of Selfdiscovery. The research examines the role of Guyana’s sizable Diaspora in western countries in supporting local development through a structured and targeted policy approach built on volunteerism. The paper is qualitative in nature, drawing from secondary research and primary data collection through structured interviews with selected stakeholders. The paper makes an argument for opening coordinated spaces for Diaspora involvement in volunteerism in Guyana through policy, legislation and supporting structures to support and recognise voluntary work associated with the Guyanese Diaspora.