2016•04•01
In the past couple of decades, we have seen the return of the migration and development nexus discussions among academics and policymakers. A lot of emphasis is put on mitigating the negative effects of migration and at the same time enhancing its positive effects on development. This perspective has opened up discussions on how to channel migrant remittances in a productive manner, increase migrant investments in their origin countries, and improve the mechanism such as temporary return for knowledge and experience exchange. It is expected that through these channels, economic and social achievements can be attained at different levels, including the individual, community and national levels. What is striking within the debate of migration and development nexus is the tendency of considering migrants as agents of development without acknowledging the conditions under which migrants aspire to and have the capacity to engage in activities that link their migration experience with development-related efforts, be it on the micro or macro level. This article presents an argument for a new perspective in migration and development discussions.
Available in Migration Policy Practice, Vol. VI, Number 1