African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) is a New York-based international organization dedicated to promoting socio-economic development in Africa, primarily through the promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Background

African Renaissance and Diaspora Network was founded by Djibril Diallo, a former United Nations official from Senegal. Diallo spent over 20 years working for the UN in various capacities prior to becoming the founder and president of ARDN. ^{1 2}

The organization’s mission is to promote sustainable development in Africa by facilitating partnerships between the African continent and the African diaspora. ARDN focuses on the core areas of education, health, environment, culture, trade and investment, and governance. ³

ARDN’s efforts revolve around popularizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of benchmarks agreed to by all UN member states that promote global efforts to enact climate change-related regulations, expand the use of weather-dependent energy, eliminate gender inequality, and other related environmental and educational objectives. ^{4 5}

These campaigns are intended support the “advent of African renaissance”, a period of social, economic, and cultural unity and progress among African nations and people of African descent. ⁶

Activities

African Renaissance and Diaspora Network has been tasked “under the auspices of the United Nations Deputy Secretary General” with popularizing and increasing public awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ARDN’s strategy seeks to “mobilize and leverage the passion and comparative advantages of government, educators, artists, intellectuals, journalists, the private sector, civil society, youth and other stakeholders; and harness the power of art, sport, and culture to unite and induce action.” ⁸

For sport and culture outreach, ARDN has held consultations with international soccer governing bodies FIFA and the Confederation of African Football. ARDN’s youth outreach is driven by the Pan-African Youth Leadership Network. ⁹

ARDN has consulted with members of the United States’ Congressional Black Caucus. ARDN has also hosted coordination meetings during United Nations meetings in New York. At a 2017 ARDN meeting, the UN Deputy Secretary General urged businesses to “go beyond corporate social responsibility and called on those with the means to give to give a little.” The Deputy-Secretary-General also encouraged businesses to “play a role in affecting a change in the behavior in the way things are done and help make a difference in production and consumption.” ¹⁰

ARDN also operates the Red Card campaign, a global gender-equality effort to combat discrimination and violence against women and girls. ¹¹ The organization has partnered with Webster University on the Red Card campaign, as well as several other global initiatives. ¹²

Funding

ARDN reported revenue of $19,952 in 2020, a dramatic decline from the organization’s revenues in previous years. The organization reported revenue of $168,122 in 2015 and $86,380 in 2016. ARDN’s revenue is mostly derived from contributions, grants, and gifts. ^{13 14 15}

The U.S. Department of the Treasury reported a $20,000 payment to ARDN in 2021 for “conference sponsorship.” ¹⁶

ARDN reported expenses of $47,158 in 2020. Program expenses accounted for $36,491, with the majority being allocated to the Red Card campaign. ¹⁷

1. “African Renaissance and Diaspora Network.” African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. Accessed March 26, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/.
2. Bios: Regional Director for West and Central Africa. UNAIDS. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.unaids.org/en/aboutunaids/unaidsleadership/bios/rstdirectorforwestandcentralafrica.
3. “About ARDN.” ARDN. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/about/.
4. “About ARDN.” ARDN. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/about/.
5. “Goals.” United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
6. “About ARDN.” ARDN. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/about/.
8. “Pathway Solutions: Popularizing UN Sustainable Development Goals.” African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/pathway-solutions-popularizing-un-sustainable-development-goals/.

   ARDN has coordinated with several U.S. entities on media outreach, including Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. A key component of the organization’s SDG initiative is “mobilizing journalists to shape understanding and appreciation for the UN based on real stories driven by the other components of the initiative, and to play an active role in the promotion of the SDGs and actions that will accelerate their achievement.” ⁷ “Pathway Solutions: Popularizing UN Sustainable Development Goals.” African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/pathway-solutions-popularizing-un-sustainable-development-goals/.

9. “Pathway Solutions: Popularizing UN Sustainable Development Goals.” African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/pathway-solutions-popularizing-un-sustainable-development-goals/.
10. “Pathway Solutions: Popularizing UN Sustainable Development Goals.” African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ardn.ngo/pathway-solutions-popularizing-un-sustainable-development-goals/.
11. “Global Launch of Red Card Campaign.” United Nations Media. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://media.un.org/en/asset/k15/k152nj9kpm.
12. “ Chancellor Stroble to Participate in ARDN’s Digital Justice and Women in Tech Summit in New York City March 14.” Webster University Newsroom. March 9, 2023. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://news.webster.edu/2023/un_commission_ardn_stroble_march_2023.php#:~:text=ARDN%20is%20an%20international%20non,as%20the%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals.
13. African Renaissance and Diaspora Network Inc., IRS 990 2020
14. African Renaissance and Diaspora Network Inc., IRS 990 2016.
15. African Renaissance and Diaspora Network Inc., IRS 990 2025
16. “Contract Summary.” USASpending. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_20341921P00001_2036_-NONE-_-NONE-
17. African Renaissance and Diaspora Network Inc., IRS 990 2020