Diaspora and International Migration in Development:

Harnessing Diaspora is considered to be one of the important mega trends of globalization. The emergence of Diaspora as a possible resource in different spheres has significantly expanded as a consequence of the enabling conditions provided by globalization resulting into international migration. Diaspora has emerged as an enabler of development. All these have contributed to the increasing utilization and harnessing of Diaspora as a resource, which was hitherto considered a fissiparous, and a centrifugal force.

Success stories of contribution of Diasporas for development of the home country, especially the Chinese experience, fast track engagement of abandoned Diaspora by India and the recognition of the UN and international organizations of Diasporic forces as a developmental resource led to a series of policy initiatives. They have come out with several policy options to make Diasporic engagements an economic driver and international migration as a catalyst in growth and development.

India's 25 million strong Diaspora is spread over a hundred countries in different continents. It is one of the largest Diaspora in the world. It has an old Diaspora of those who migrated during the colonial period to different colonies. Diasporic engagement and international migration of Indians have given mixed results with both positive as well as negative consequences. The experiences of different countries are diverse.

Against this backdrop, Organisation for Diaspora Initiatives (ODI), New Delhi in collaboration with CAS-School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi is organising an International Academic Conference on “Diaspora and International Migration in Development: Comparative Global Experiences” on 10-11 January 2016 at Convention Centre, JNU, New Delhi. The conference is being supported by Heinrich Böll Foundation.

R.S.V.P

Shalini Yog, Deputy Director, HBS
T +91 11 2685 4405
Email: shalini.yog@in.boell.org