The African Diaspora Policy Centre (ADPC) enables African Diaspora in Europe to
connect more closely with the continent as a collective force. The thematic areas are Peacebuilding, Better Governance, Migration & Development and Brain Gain
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.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
The Contribution of African Diaspora to Policy Dialogue. By Awil Mohamoud.
International Migration and Economic Development: Lessons from Low-Income Countries. By Robert E.B. Lucas.
Work globally, develop locally: diaspora networks as entry point to knowledge-based development. By Yevgeny Kuznetsov and Charles F Sabel.
Reconceptualising the migration - development nexus: diasporas, globalisation and the politics of exclusion.By Rebecca Davies.
Leading issues in international migration in sub-Saharan Africa. By Aderanti Adepoju, in Views on Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Euro-African Conference on "Migration and Development. October 20th, 2008.
Global Forum on Migration and Development. October 27th to 30th, 2008.
Welcome!
to the African Diaspora Skills Database. This database was compiled to provide an overview of qualified African Diaspora professionals with varied areas of expertise and experience. The African diaspora contribute substantially to the social, economic and political development of Africa, and this database is set up to further mobilize this considerable potential. You also have access to numerous African diaspora organisations in the Netherlands and beyond whose transnational long-distance development related activities are having a positive impact on the development of the continent. This database is aimed to contribute to the efforts geared in mitigating the adverse effects of the brain drain
The problem of the ‘brain drain’ has affected Africa more severely than any other region. The flight of intellectual capital from Africa is alarming. The problem is now a matter of great concern, as the institutions of higher education and research in Africa face serious shortages of qualified academics and researchers. Thus, the brain drain is impeding potential economic growth, and remains a handicap for sustainable development in many countries in Africa. To lessen somewhat the problem of the shortfall of skilled personnel in Africa in the immediate future and the slightly longer term, there is now an urgent need to galvanise the intellectual capital ‘brain reserve’ of the African diaspora living in the West for ‘brain circulation’ purposes. This means purposefully and strategically harnessing the vast untapped human capital of the African diaspora in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe for the benefit of Africa. in Africa.
HOW IT WORKS
To acces the database
you need to log in first.
On the left menu, you can search the database for a professional or organisation, and/or region or field of expertise.
Professionals list view
Professionals are listed alphabetically. Upon selecting a field of expertise, the relevant professionals will be highlighted.
Organisation list view
Organisations are listed alphabetically. Upon selecting a field of expertise, the relevant organisations will be highlighted.