Strengthening national policies for engaging diasporas as a development actor: Lessons from learning-by-doing activities

This chapter provides an analysis of the relationship between practices in development by diasporas at various contexts. There exist a range of initiatives resulting from diasporas participating in some form of economic activity that results in positive development outcomes. These activities include issues relating to remitting, investing and donating by diasporas or through diasporas. These initiatives do help to establish a policy agenda that can be operationalized by governments and international institutions. The first section provides a matrix of the interplay between diaspora economic activities and dimensions of diaspora development. The second section looks at concrete practices and experiences of diaspora engagement. These experiences are either the result of an organic process of engagement with the home country resulting in some impact on development, or policy-driven initiatives that drive development approaches. The third section presents 10 policy initiatives emerging from lessons learned in the activities identified.

Related Subject(s): Migration