Harnessing the Potential of Migration and Return to Promote Development

This paper is intended to stimulate discussions on the relationship between migration, return, and development. It outlines the operational framework and research strategy that will be used to investigate this relationship in an ongoing research project on West Africa. The paper discusses the following issues: contemporary trends in international migration in West Africa, consequences of migration to domestic labour markets, effects of migrant remittances, brain drain phenomenon, the developmental impacts of potential capital transfers occurring with return, elements for a meso-level approach on migration issues to achieve an improved understanding of the complex relationship between international migration, return, and development.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions