• Wednesday 2 June 2010, 17:21

• Scientific diasporas for development

Gabriella Tejada and Jean-Claude Bolay’s book, entitled “SCIENTIFIC DIASPORAS AS DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS. Skilled migrants from Colombia, India and South Africa in Switzerland: empirical evidence and policy responses” looks at skilled migrants from Colombia, India and South Africa in Switzerland.

Over the last two decades, globalization has accelerated international migration flows, particularly of skilled labour.
Yet increasing migration by skilled workers from developing countries (“brain drain”) has raised serious concerns internationally about the adverse development impact on their countries of origin.

This book, however, highlights the positive aspects of skilled labour migration as scientific diasporas are playing a growing role in the transfer of technology, skills and knowledge (“brain gain”) to their home countries. This is a very significant development in a globalised world where science, technology and knowledge can trigger economic and social transformations.

The book presents solid empirical evidence of the contributions scientific diasporas make to their countries of origin, based on primary surveys of skilled migrants from Colombia, India and South Africa employed in Switzerland, a major destination country.

The findings lead to a better understanding of the motives for migration, the profile of the scientific diaspora communities in Switzerland, and the varied ways in which they help their home countries.

The book makes a significant contribution to the international policy debate and dialogue on migration and development. In particular, it shows how to leverage the potential of scientific diasporas as agents of home country development, by identifying good practices and offering specific recommendations for the countries of origin and of destination.

RAFAD Foundation supports OITFM initiative and is member of the World Diaspora Fund.

The book can be ordered on www.peterlang.com

AUTHORS:

GABRIELA TEJADA is responsible for on-going research into scientific diasporas at Cooperation@epfl at the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne). She has a Ph.D. in Political Sciences and has worked as a consultant for UNCTAD and UNDP. She took part in the Global Migration Perspective Series of the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM).

JEAN-CLAUDE BOLAY is the Director of Cooperation@epfl at the EPFL and a Professor at the ENAC (Environnement Naturel Architectural et Construit) School. He has a Ph.D. in Political Sciences and is a specialist in urban issues in Latin America, Asia and West Africa. He has been a scientific advisor to the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research.