Background to the PDRCTalks
In March 2019, the Puntland Development and Research Centre (PDRC) initiated a monthly event dubbed PDRCTalks. This event is a new initiative in line with PDRC’s strategic plan 2019- 2023, to spread ideas, messages, and awareness on issues related to the betterment of Somalia. These issues cover topics ranging from governance, democratization, peace, and development, which are PDRC’s key focus areas.
PDRCTalks is an interactive platform in which prominent Somali scholars, veteran politicians and/or retired civil servants are hosted once a month to serve as guest speakers and to deliver an expert presentation at a uniquely themed talk-event at PDRC. PDRCTalks aim to spark conversation within the Somali community and, through this useful dialogue, change the attitudes, perceptions and impact lives of Somalis.
Social media is incorporated to support the spread of the messages to all the Somali communities living in the diaspora and within the country through live streams. PDRCTalks has been well received and has features prominent figures in Somali society who bring to the fore a multi-faceted number of topics in politics, economics, social issues as well as cultural themes.
PDRCTalks is a value-addition component to PDRC’s vision as a solutions-oriented organization that prides itself on offering useful tools to bring about peaceful coexistence and economic development among all Somalis.
Organization of the PDRCTalks
This prestigious event is held monthly in Garowe at the PDRC compound, Puntland State of Somalia and incorporates a lecture by the keynote speaker followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A interaction. The event’s significance is usually boosted by live State TV coverage and other social media outlets. The event is always fully backed by diverse audience due to its unique importance to the Somali community both at home and abroad.
The PDRCTalks event attracts more than 200 participants, drawn from the government, civil society groups, human rights and advocacy groups, local government, women, youth politicians, and senior citizens. PDRCTalks is streamed live on Facebook with live updates on Twitter to reach a cross-section of audiences all over the world. PDRCTalks prides itself on giving ample time to the guest speaker, panellists and contributors, and, most importantly, the audience to exchange ideas learn from each other, and further to deepen their understanding of the subject of discussion.
So far PDRC has held ten PDRCTalks events since its inception in March 2019.