Pardee-CFLP-Remittances-TF-Report

But most importantly, remittances are a primary mechanism for rebuildingfamily ties and connections between individuals in the global contexts of rapidlyincreasing international human and capital flows: “the commitment to familyremains at the core of these flows. In this sense, remittances can be trulycharacterized as the human face of globalization” (Terry 2005, 6). The nature oftransnational migrant networks and diaspora profiles has a decisive role in shapingthe impact of migrants’ remittances to the source country’s development.According to recent research findings, both high- and low-skilled diasporas canmake important contributions to the development of their homeland (Plaza andRatha 2011, 7).While low-skilled diasporas can be particularly relevant in contributing to thewelfare of their family members in the contexts of massive forced evacuationsthat often characterize conflict-affected situations, high-skilled diaspora memberscan be instrumental in facilitating transfers of skills and technology thatare of utmost importance for post-conflict development: “A diaspora can be animportant source and facilitator of research and innovation, technology transfer,and skills development” (Plaza and Ratha 2011, 20). Besides material resources,diaspora networks can therefore be an important source of “social remittances”in the form of ideas, values, skills, and behaviors that travel back to themigrants’ communities of origin (Levitt and Lamba-Nieves 2011). By facilitatingorganizational learning and exchange of knowledge, migrants’ collective organizationscan contribute to diverse “state-society synergies” that enhance collaborationbetween public and private sectors (Levitt and Lamba-Nieves 2011). Thiscalls more attention to policy agendas that facilitate the participation of migrantsin the development of their home country, including issues such as multiplecitizenship and voting rights. Both categories of migrants also contribute to sendingcollective remittances through various development projects administeredthrough networks and organizations like “hometown associations (HTAs), ethnicassociations, alumni associations, religious associations, professional associations,nongovernmental associations, investment groups, national developmentgroups, welfare and refugee groups, and Internet-based virtual organizations”(Plaza and Ratha 2011, 17). Although such institutions are increasingly prevalent,research of the impacts of collective remittances to the development of migrants’home countries has still been scarce.The economic and political support provided by remittance flows and diasporaactivities can also potentially serve to perpetuate violence in a conflict-affectedsetting. There is some evidence that the existence of an extensive diaspora can6 A Pardee Center Task Force Report | October 2013