Looking the new world through human migration
Human mobility is an age-old phenomenon, dynamic in nature, albeit with various implications. The world has witnessed various types and facets of international migration in the last few centuries. In fact, under the garb of globalization, international migration with various forms and features has been growing exponentially in response to global capitalistic developments. Subsequently, many migrant groups have evolved as diaspora communities across the globe.
The forthcoming international conference organized on broad theme “Migration, Diaspora and Development” during 20-21 February 2016 by Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT), an international think tank based in New Delhi, will broadly focus on the challenges of migration and diaspora policies. Since, the diaspora-development nexus is becoming more apparent, there is an increased inclination among policy makers to engage diaspora. However, engaging diaspora is a complex global issue as it needs more dynamic approach. India, being one of the leading countries among the international migration, have more stakes in the deliberations. Some of the leading academics, policy experts, and industry representatives will provide their views on the subject, in the conference. The notable speakers of the conference includes, Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary General of FICCI, Prof. Supriya Singh, Australia, Prof Kavita Sharma, South Asian University, Prof. Sebnem Koser Akcapar, Koc University , Istanbul, Prof. Gowri Parameswaran, USA, Prof. Kamala Ganesh, University of Mumbai. More than 150 participants from countries such as USA, Mexico, the U.K., Turkey, Australia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Philippines, Sri Lanka and India will take part in the two-day conference.
World history shows us that the migrant groups have not simply been integrated into the ‘melting pot culture’ of host nations, rather they have negotiated and adapted to the circumstances and have always identified with the real or imagined homelands regardless of their nature of migration. Thus, diaspora communities are always grappling with their inherent nature of ‘dual as well as multiple identities’. The real or imagined homelands have always been cultural reference point for the global diasporas. The recent advancement in the information and communication technologies has been reinforcing and reaffirming their cultural affinity and transnational practices with their real or putative homelands at unforeseen levels.
Apart from their links with the real or imagined homelands, there is a growing links with their cohorts in the various parts of the globe as well. The transnational practices of global diasporas are divergent in content and form, governed by differences in class, gender, race, sexuality and a host of other distinctions.
Given their enhanced cultural capital and social capital, diasporas are perceived as ‘strategic assets’ and catalysts for economic growth and development of their country of origin. Diaspora capital broadly includes investments, economic and social remittances, moral and material support for political ideological, projects and so on. The involvement of Chinese Diaspora after 1980’s in China’s economic growth story is laudable. The economic miracle of China is shared by the overwhelming investments from the Chinese Diaspora entrepreneurs. The African Union (AU) Commission has organized the Global African Diaspora summit in the year 2012 to mobilize the African Diasporas for the development of African continent.
The developing countries are receiving more remittances given its labor migrants. As per the World Bank report in 2014, the remittances to developing countries are projected to grow by 4.4 percent to US$454 billion in the year 2015. India has emerged as the largest receiver of remittances in the world since the last four to five years. It received roughly around $70 billion from all over the world, and about $32.7 billion from its Gulf Indian migrants alone. Thus, diasporas are the main engine for foreign exchange reserve growth.
Moreover, global diasporas have emerged as important non-state actors for strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations in the comity of nations. Diasporas are gradually recognized as a form of soft power; in the realm of diplomacy for the home country as they retain cultural heritage of the country of origin in their adopted homes. An array of diaspora advocacy groups is very active in defense of varied interests of their homelands. The role of Jewish diaspora is a classic example in this regard. Diaspora philanthropy has complemented community development and achieving equity goals. So, Diasporas are not only a harbinger of national development but also of regional and community development.
The conference will have 12 major themes: Revisiting Migration and Diaspora: Migration and development, Gender and Migration, Migration Crisis, Migration, knowledge and Skills, Nation, Diaspora and Crisis, Diaspora and Migration Literature, Social-Cultural issues and challenges, Diaspora: Remittance and Investment, Migration and Regional Experiences, India and its Diaspora, Migration and Regional Experiences.
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View forthcoming International Conference
International Conference on "Global Migration: Rethinking Skills, Knowledge and Culture", 26-27 November 2016, IIC, New Delhi