diaspora and the global economic crisis presentation

8/14/2019 Diaspora and the Global Economic Crisis Presentation

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National Indaba on the

Global Economic Crisis,

A Wake-up Call for Transformation

Mulungushi International Conference Centre

4-5th April 2009

Zambias Diaspora and Development

Chasaya Sichilima

(Zambia Diaspora Connect)


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Presentation OutlineInternational context of Diaspora value

Some basic statistics on Zambias Diaspora

Zambias Diaspora and the current globaleconomic crisis

Human Capital;

Investments;

Housing; and

Culture and Identity.

Diaspora - Government opportunities: in view of the

Global Economic Crisis


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Understanding Diaspora Value in an

International ContextSome working definitions:

Diaspora: Nationals that have emigrated, yet stillattached to their country of origin.

Brain Drain: Migration of trained and talented

individuals from one institution, or from onecountry or part of a country, to another in search ofbetter working conditions, a higher quality of lifeand/or a less hostile environment.

Source: Henry Kyambalesa, 2009


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Diaspora value in an International Context

(Contd)Country of origin benefits:Worker rise in real wages

Worker remittancesInvestor capital

Technological transfer

Growing human capital

Development of trade net works

Source Ratha and Maimbo 2005


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Diaspora Value in an International

Context (Contd)If benefits are neglected/not actively

managed net results are:Skill shortages

Reduction in productivity

Tax Short falls

One third of individuals with tertiary

education from Africa, the Carribean, andCentral America emigrated to the US orOECD countriesCarrington & Detragiache, (1998)estimate.


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Diaspora Value in an International Context

(Contd.) Case examples

China: Support integrated package with focus on Research& Development

India: Bangalore, the Worlds Call Centre, and Worldslargest software exporter are returnees from SiliconValley.

Ghana: Ministry of the Diaspora; Remittances trends havegrown geometrically

South Africa: Skills Network, transferring technology,disseminating culture

Nigeria: Housing and the bilateral arrangement with theBritish

Ethiopia: Restaurants, Diaspora Bonds Source UNDP


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Some Basic statistics on Zambias Diaspora

Emigrant stock: 150,281

For the period 2003-2006 Remittances were 2003 2004 2005 2006

Inward 36 48 53 58

Source WB


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Zambia Diaspora Advocacy

Dual Citizenship Petition 2003 and 2008

2003 petition started in UK, went to US, Canadaand went global

Submitted to Constitutional Review Commission

2008 petition started in Australia, went global andwithin 6 days had over 1000 petitioners submitted

to National Constitutional Conference.Leaving the question of, how do we move on

while waiting for NCC?


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Zambia Diaspora Advocacy

Project Diaspora Citizenry 2007/2008

A Ministry of Finance initiative which required:

-Measures of Diaspora Demand

-Stakeholder Institutional Capacity, amongstDiaspora as well as in Government

-Statistical information on demography of

DiasporaThese needs led to: 2008 Zambia Diaspora E-

Conference by Zambia Diaspora Connect


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Zambia Diaspora e-conference 2008:

ObjectivesThe primary objective was to assess diaspora

demand for government intervention in fourthematic areas by answering the questions:

1. How can Zambians living abroad participate inZambias development in the areas of commercialinvestment, land and housing, and the development ofhuman-capital?

2. How can government facilitate investment in

commerce, land and housing development, and human-capital transfer to Zambia, by Zambians living abroad?

3. How can government and Zambians livingabroad, together strengthen the diasporas sense ofidentity, citizenry and commitment to Zambia?


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ProcessA conference was called for Diaspora members to

convene by Internet

Invitations were sent through the Embassies andZambia Associations Abroad

The Conference was organized under four themes- Human Capital

- Housing

- Investment

- Culture and Identity

Running from 14th October to 24th October 2008


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Principal FindingsHuman Capital: Potentials and Constraints

There are mutual benefits for Zambia and her

Diaspora collaborating includingInstitutional Networking,

Marketing Exports; &

Promoting volunteerism

Constraints: Diaspora , often viewed with an evileye, lack collective organization and hesitation

based on the passage of dual nationality clauseinto the constitution.


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Principal Findings

Investments: Potentials and constraints

Investments from Zambians abroad was viewed as

good from the perspective of;investor capital, higher technology transfer,relatively higher levels of human capital and tradenet works

Communicative distances were cited as a primaryconstraint; coupled with

Risk from lack of market information, transactioncontrol, and third party arrangements


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Zambia Diaspora e-conference

2008: Principal Findings

Housing: Potentials and constraints

-With respect to potentials building new

houses in Zambia would create additionalhousing stock, with international designs.

-Constraints predominantly are those of riskassociated with security, market price

fluctuations of building materials, scarcity,further affecting financial risk


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Principal FindingsCulture and Identity: Potentials and constraints

-Potentials for culture include use of literature,

music, food, spoken languages and Internet mediato enhance community/social capital, as well asmarket Zambias tourist abroad.

Constraints arise over the important matters of

Identity in the lack of:-Passport renewal mechanisms/information.

-Constitutional Provision for Dual Citizenship


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Some Key SolutionsHuman Capital:

Widening the scope of opportunities for

volunteeringCreating government supported skills networks

linked to universities and other institutions.

Investments

Availing investment information more easily through e-government

Develop a Diaspora chamber of commerce to providespring boards for any consortium arrangements as wellas to lobby.


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Zambia Diaspora e-conference

2008: Some Key SolutionsHousingAvail information on land, housing, risks and supply of

building materials.

Culture and IdentityGovernment should recognise focal persons among

Zambians abroad as honorary envoys.

An e-governance system developed to manage the

administration of diaspora identitiesUse of the Diaspora to promote tourism


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Diaspora - Government Opportunities:

in View of the Global Economic Crisis Passport renewal and dual citizenship: Expeditethese

processes to provide prospective Zambians abroad assurances oftheir future.

Macro economic level: Consider the issuance of Diaspora bonds,by Bank of Zambia, with secondary trading potential on LuSE.

Administrative Mgt: Reduce costs, out-contract consular servicesto Diaspora, and reduce consular process to a unit in the Ministryof Foreign Affairs.

Diaspora policy: Should be developed to outline government

regard for Diaspora initiatives Diaspora Act Policy Contestation: Create policy space for formulation and

reviews to receive input from Diaspora.

Sectoral Targeting: Open up the Tourism sector for expressionsof interest across the board for Diaspora investment.


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Thank-you

diaspora and the global economic crisis presentation

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