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MENA Programme: Yemen Forum Meeting Summary (September 2011)

Introduction

This document summarizes a meeting held at Chatham House in September 2011, bringing together British and UK-based Yemenis from diverse backgrounds. The primary objective was to discuss the role of the Yemeni diaspora in the country's political transition and to generate recommendations for future action. The meeting was conducted under the Chatham House Rule, allowing participants to use the information without revealing identities.

Core Content and Main Findings

Support for the Youth Movement

• A strong majority of Yemenis in Britain support the youth-led movement in Yemen.
• The youth movement has been marginalized in the political transition process.
• There is a call for greater recognition and support from the international community.

Role of the International Community

• Participants believe the international community, particularly the UK and US, should exert more pressure on the Yemeni government.
• There is a need for increased diplomatic and financial pressure to remove President Saleh from power.
• Some participants emphasized the importance of stability in Yemen for UK business interests.

Humanitarian Crisis

• The humanitarian situation in Yemen is deteriorating due to rising food prices and water shortages.
• Yemenis in Britain are concerned about the lack of international commitment to aid efforts.
• The "Yemen Aid" project, in collaboration with Islamic Relief, has already delivered aid to displaced communities in Aden.

Media Coverage

• International media, including Al Jazeera, often overlooks the crisis in Yemen.
• Coverage tends to focus on AQAP, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
• A media working group was proposed to improve information flow and media engagement.

Key Recommendations

Immediate Actions

1. Create a working group involving the Yemeni diaspora, Chatham House, and the UK government to develop a roadmap for next steps.
2. Increase participation of British-born Yemenis, especially the youth, in advocacy efforts.
3. Establish a media working group to enhance media reporting and develop a communications strategy.
4. Create a database of UK-based Yemeni professionals to identify and mobilize technical assistance.
5. Focus on cities with large Yemeni diaspora populations: Birmingham, Sheffield, Cardiff, and Liverpool.
6. Host events for youth with support from Chatham House.
7. Pressure the UK government to take stronger action against the Saleh regime, such as freezing assets.
8. Engage MPs with significant British-Yemeni communities in their constituencies.
9. Establish a British-Yemeni NGO to channel financial support for humanitarian aid.
10. Continue and expand support for the youth movement, including economic initiatives.

Actions Over the Next 4 Months

1. Strengthen collaboration between Yemenis in the UK and Yemen.
2. Agree on a mediation mechanism between the Yemeni government and opposition.
3. Improve the effectiveness of international aid, particularly in health and education.
4. Deepen dialogue with the UK government.
5. Allocate tasks among the group based on the action point list.
6. Engage more with the Yemeni diaspora across the UK.
7. Hold topic-specific discussions to address key issues.
8. Increase diaspora activity on Facebook.
9. Challenge perceptions linking Yemen to AQAP through awareness campaigns.

Additional Suggestions from Participants

1. Launch a sponsorship programme for vocational and educational training of young Yemenis.
2. Fund leadership or entrepreneur programmes for Yemeni youth.
3. Focus on the role of women in Yemen.
4. Organize women-only diaspora meetings.
5. Create a British Yemeni professional women's group.
6. Facilitate meetings between diaspora members and MPs.
7. Hold meetings with Yemenis from Southern provinces to discuss North-South concerns.
8. Organize lecture series by Yemeni experts.
9. Encourage Yemenis to run for local councillor positions and increase political involvement in the UK.
10. Develop a communication network for effective interaction between Yemeni and British-Yemeni youth.

Conclusion

The meeting highlighted the critical role of the Yemeni diaspora in supporting the country's political transition and addressing the humanitarian crisis. Participants stressed the need for greater international engagement, improved media coverage, and the utilization of diaspora skills for the benefit of Yemen. The proposed recommendations aim to enhance the diaspora's impact through structured collaboration, advocacy, and community engagement.