Development Cooperation - Remittances

The Diaspora Forum for Development in the  Netherlands staged a Dialogue between migrant's organisations and civil society on the occasion of International Migrants Day. Mr. Wim Stoffers, representing Oxfam-Novib, played devil's advocate regarding the issue of remittances. He stated that all the money migrants send home does not really do a lot for development. Oxfam-Novib is the main funder of the DFD Platform so his provocative opening led to some debate. Even more provocative proved Mr.Stoffer's statement that migrants are not necessarily suited to do development work in their native countries, basically because they have often grown apart from their soil. "There is no special role for migrants in development."

Grace Cabactulan responded to these critical remarks in a most elegant way: "You can't question love. You cannot quantify affection."

report by Jo van der Spek of M2M Radio

Basco Fernandez from Damayan in the Netherlands and Mary Lou Caharian from HAPNID in the Philippines talk to Radio 1812 about the Maria 4 MDG project which aims to harness the social capital of diaspora communities to encourage women entrepreneurship in six towns in the Philippines.

The 13th of October 2009 representatives of 5 projects funded by the EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) were invited to Brussels for a symbolic signing ceremony under

NGOs and others describe how they are making migration work for development. They discuss the role of remittances, migrant's capacities, rights and communities in the economic and social development of their countries of origin. More info on migration4development site.

This event gathered 450 people from around the world to share experiences about how they are making migration work for development. The event was hosted by the European Commission and the United Nations as part of a new initiative to connect migrants, diaspora groups and others with civil society and local authorities in their country of origin to work together for the development of their countries. The Migration Celebration Film Festival was held each evening to welcome the participants to Belgium, and celebrate the contribution migrants have made around the world for centuries.

NGOs and others describe how they are making migration work for development. They discuss the role of remittances, migrant's capacities, rights and communities in the economic and social development of their countries of origin. More info on migration4development site.

This event gathered 450 people from around the world to share experiences about how they are making migration work for development. The event was hosted by the European Commission and the United Nations as part of a new initiative to connect migrants, diaspora groups and others with civil society and local authorities in their country of origin to work together for the development of their countries. The Migration Celebration Film Festival was held each evening to welcome the participants to Belgium, and celebrate the contribution migrants have made around the world for centuries.

Women are the most vulnerable sector in the migration process, says Leila Rispens-Noel in this interview for December 18, done by Caroline Ausserer in Manila. Leila migrated herself from the Philippines to the Netherlands where she works for Oxfam Novib on supporting migrants' organisations.