MIGRATION, TRANSNATIONALISM AND DEVELOPMENT - Development Geography

Geography Reference

In-Depth Information

migrants, so that the labour loss was offset somewhat, though not if

rural out-migration was excessive. At the global scale, not only are eco-

nomic remittances making more substantial economic and social

impacts in global South origin communities than international aid

transfers (Newland, 2007), remittances are providing poor relatives

with basic needs to help raise them above poverty levels, helping

rebuild communities after natural disasters and crises have devastated

their homelands, and generally helping families survive, and even pros-

per in many cases (Cohen, 2005; De Haas, 2005). Return migrants,

whether temporary or relatively permanent are contributing social

remittances, bringing professional skills and innovations, and bringing

much-needed social capital and sociocultural resources back home

(Gmelch, 1992; 2006; Conway, 2007a).

Summing up the current conventional wisdom about the migration-

development nexus, Kathleen Newland offers this important caveat:

The debate about the relationship between migration and development

goes far beyond the trade-off between remittances and the brain drain.

Diasporas have more to offer their countries of origin than remittances; in

the long run, their skills, investments, and social networks may have more

important effects. (2007: 6)

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key points

• Migration and development relations are currently viewed as very

important for global South development prospects.

• Remittances are person-to-person monetary flows that meet the

immediate needs of family recipients, but also contribute to savings

and investment when sustained.

• Transnationalism refers to multiple ties and interactions linking

people across the borders of nation states.