Gateway to Global Development: Prospect for the Azerbaijani Diaspora

Diaspora and diaspora organizations have become the valuable actor in the conduct of
international affairs. Their unique position as connectors between the hostland and homeland
provide States with an opportunity to utilize their potential. Effective diaspora engagement
can have a positive impact on the social-economic development of the country. The method
of engagement with diaspora organizations should be defined based on unique characteristics
and individual needs of each diaspora. For this study, the analyzes of Azerbaijan diaspora
was chosen for investigation of policies options for diaspora mobilization. The data was
gathered by the means of primary and secondary sources. The conceptual framework was
developed based on information gathered from local and international sources. The first-hand
evidence was produced as a result of three productive interviews with distinguished
Azerbaijani figures in the field of diaspora activism. The gathered data was used to lay down
the profile of Azerbaijani diaspora community to implement the proposed policies to increase
the engagement of diaspora organizations in the socio-economic development of Azerbaijan.
Given the relative limits of data and time, more study on diaspora is required to better
understand the peculiarities of Azerbaijan diaspora and its impact on socio-economic
development.