Somalia and the Somali Community

Entrenched in the public imagination as a failed state, a marginalized and clannish diaspora community emitting whiffs of terrorism and piracy, Somali communities are in real life resourceful, resilient, economically vibrant and thriving, and in many ways uniquely well adapted to a globalised environment.

Somali society however has a very different modus operandi and norms derived from its pastoralist roots as distinctive from societies in Iraq and Afghanistan as from western models. Somalis and their diaspora are at the moment navigating great social changes which show their political face in such ways as youth radicalization and marginalization, generational conflict, perceived violations of western norms and assertion of a distinctive Somali identity and debates around the relationship between Islam and society.

Communities do tend to be opaque and somewhat distrustful of outsiders. Making sense of Somalis and their concerns necessarily involves learning from Somalis and others with experience in Somali community building. Somalis locate individuals within social networks centred on close family which grow outwards on the basis of experience and good reputation, introductions being facilitated by trusted individuals who act initially as guarantors of good faith.

Somalis are in the end pragmatists motivated by results, and welcome those with a track record of impartiality, constructive engagement and of building bridges. Transparency Research has been involved in this work for many years and has built a reputation as an honest broker in the Somali community both in the West (UK/ Europe /US) and Somalia. We are therefore well placed not only to impart knowledge but to facilitate introductions and help interested parties navigate Somali waters.

OUR CAPACITIES IN SOMALILAND, PUNTLAND, SOMALIA AND HOA

• Understanding of the clan dynamics and cultural norms necessary to operate in the region
• Knowledge of and access to official and unofficial power brokers in the region
• Ability to travel from the UK, Kenya, Hargeisa, Boosaaso or Addis Ababa to the region
• Established relationship with qualified local Social Science research team in Hargeisa
• Influential contacts within the Somali business community in UK and internationally, including the Gulf States
• Established relationships across IGO [including UN and EU], NGO and Govt Agencies working in the region and in Diaspora communities in the UK, Europe and the US
• Language capabilities [Somali, Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili]
• Experience in applying social science methodologies in Somali and other non-Western communities
• An excellent track record of working with UK Government agencies and the Somali community both in the UK and in Somalia
• Experience in project management including planning, implementation including managing local research teams, assessing effectiveness, presentation of results and project evaluation
• Media monitoring to provide timely and accurate information about the events in Somalia and the diaspora as well as the perceptions of Somalis about the organisations working with the community
• Translating information where required as well as analysing and providing feedback to clients
• Extensive contact and knowledge of Somali media and how it operate across the region and in the diaspora
• Designing and delivering tailor made cultural training, briefing papers, and Key Leader Engagement tools
• Access to a professional team of Somalis and non-Somalis who are Somali experts and available to provide advice in the most convenient form for your organisation.
• Forthcoming shortly: Somali resources: a unique information portal providing generic and specific information and advice to organisations offering services to the Somali community and anyone wishing to understand how the Somali community operate culturally, socially, economically and politically.

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