Overseas Guyanese entertainers don't always feel that sense of welcome back home

This is an article about the specific case of one artist, however, how extensive is this 'feeling'? "It seems as if Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals prefer their relatives to send monthly remittances to them rather than trying to assist in a more practical manner." From: stabroeknews

Burundi: Government reps and Diaspora create Joint Committee

Burundi parliamentarians held a conference under the auspices of AWEPA to encourage the Burundi Diaspora to participate in the countries development. The Parliamentary conference took place this Sunday, March 18th, 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. Burundians from France, Sweden, and Netherlands were present at the conference. The conference put in place a Joint Committee made up of representatives of the Burundian government and 10 experts from the Diaspora to set up a coherent project on how Burundians in the Diaspora can contribute to the development of the country. Honorable Gervais Rufyikiri, president of the senate and lead the 10 member delegation spoke on the recent developments and Burundi's future prospects. From AllAfrica

New repatriation program: Ethiopia

Article presenting a new project of the Ethiopian office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)aimed at "increasing the development potential of migration through the voluntary repatriation of qualified Ethiopians in the diaspora." The article's author shares his doubts on the level of success of the initiative: "provides various options for participation to diaspora Ethiopians that are interested in contributing their skills and/or financial resources toward development in their country of origin... It is not clear to me how this differs from MIDA (previous project), which was precisely set up with the intent of enabling different types of diaspora engagement - including short-term skills transfer missions - based on IOM's experience with RQAN and its recognition of skilled migrants' preference for mobility over permanent relocation." It also states that "
From the information provided, it is difficult to tell whether IOM is re-inventing the wheel or this new program presents features that genuinely improve upon those provided by MIDA. As more details emerge and implementation begins, it will be interesting to see the extent to which IOM's experience with previous programs allow the organization to more effectively apply its resources and expertise in order to permit higher levels of diaspora participation than have been registered thus far."
http://allafrica.com/stories/200702240149.html
Interesting experience to take into account...

Ethiopians overseas get local news on TV

"The Ethiopian Television is making significant contribution in providing timely information for Ethiopians in the Diaspora and friends of Ethiopia as it has diversified its coverage throughout the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said." More at: http://allafrica.com/stories/200702260021.html

Intellectual Capital for Communities Event (May 24-25-2007, Paris)

From WBI site:"This event will explore further the challenges and opportunities stemming from today's increasingly knowledge-based economy. It will look, in particular, on how to measure intellectual capital, how countries can benefit from their intellectual capital abroad (diasporas). This year conference will pay a particular focus on developing countries." Not sure if registration is for free.

Scholarship programme for children diasporos

Interesting news from India at: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=171770&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29350, offering schlarships to kids of Indian expatriates. Good incentive to bring them back. In Argentina though would not work, studies being not that expensive...