The aim of this theme is to contribute to the discussion in the migration and development related issues by generating knowledge and insights intimately informed by the voices, views, perspectives, expertise, practical experiences, aspirations, interests, priorities, challenges and the specific needs of the African diaspora residing in Europe.
Migration and development have become interlinked issues which would certainly play a crucial role in the development cooperation relations between the North and South in the coming decades. These phenomena are two of the most salient features of contemporary globalisation that are helping shape new patterns and trends of development cooperation relations whose dynamic impacts can no longer be overlooked. They therefore represent a major issue for development, meriting continued consultations and policy dialogue at different societal and policy levels. The nexus between diaspora and development has become a major issue of an emerging research, policy field and public debate in the last few years and will remain an important area in the international development cooperation policy in the foreseeable future. The topic has already gained a top priority on the national and international agenda and is reflected and discussed at different levels for different policy purposes and interests. This is partly the result of the growing economic and human resources potential of the migrants that need to be maximally tapped for the overall development of their countries of origin. It is also partly the result of the high level policy attention that international organizations such as the UN have since recently accorded to the issue.

Diasporas are the most important strategic stakeholders in the migration and development field which makes it essential to involve them in policy debates since the practical implementation of any policy proposal should largely require migrants to play a leading role in the process. Migrants are the chief agents practically making the link between migration and development possible and without their strategic interventions it is not likely to succeed and achieve the expected results. This reality makes it impossible to design appropriate policy instruments without tapping creatively into the input and intellectual resources of the diasporas whose wealth of knowledge and practical experiences are largely undercapitalized. It is as simple as that, best solutions are likely to be worked out when the primary stakeholders, in this case, the migrants and target groups are involved from the outset.

Within this theme, ADPC carries out research and organises expert meetings.