Diaspora / Returnee Perspectives Addressing Opportunities & Challenges for Engagement with Employment Systems in Home Countries Addressing Opportunities & Challenges for Engagement with Employment Systems in Home Countries July 12, 2007

Diaspora A dispersion of an originally homogeneous entity, such as a language or culture There is no ‘African Diaspora’ - every country and culture is unique, and we all face different issues Each country’s Diaspora is no longer homogeneous - experiences and education in different parts of the world make us unique A dispersion of an originally homogeneous entity, such as a language or culture There is no ‘African Diaspora’ - every country and culture is unique, and we all face different issues Each country’s Diaspora is no longer homogeneous - experiences and education in different parts of the world make us unique

Africa - where ‘it’ is at There is a global movement aiming to lift Africa out of poverty through trade, not aid There has been a spurt in growth in African foreign currency reserves, mostly as a result of oil, but also better economic policies and external factors There is a global movement aiming to lift Africa out of poverty through trade, not aid There has been a spurt in growth in African foreign currency reserves, mostly as a result of oil, but also better economic policies and external factors To be young, gifted, and black... is where it is at. - Nina Simone, 1970 To be young, gifted, and black... is where it is at. - Nina Simone, 1970 $21bn $108bn Source: IMF Africa’s Foreign Currency Reserves

Opportunities Enter the workforce as a senior member Truly add value to a company / government No racial barriers [although tribalism exists] Relatively less capital required to start a business The ‘soft’ factors TIA Enter the workforce as a senior member Truly add value to a company / government No racial barriers [although tribalism exists] Relatively less capital required to start a business The ‘soft’ factors TIA

Challenges A lower salary in absolute terms A sense of law-lessness and insecurity Perceived missed quality of life Government: bureaucracy & hassle factor Lack of corporate professionalism TIA A lower salary in absolute terms A sense of law-lessness and insecurity Perceived missed quality of life Government: bureaucracy & hassle factor Lack of corporate professionalism TIA

Making engagement with the system easier CorporatesGovernments Employee Stock Ownership Plans [ESOPs] Decrease ‘Hassle Factors’ Performance-based compensation Improved Security Succession Plans in Private Businesses Tax / Investment Incentives

Conclusion Africa is where ‘it’ is at Opportunities exist for Diaspora ‘Returnees’ face numerous challenges, but none that are insurmountable The private sector and government both have roles to play to encourage the Diaspora to return Africa is where ‘it’ is at Opportunities exist for Diaspora ‘Returnees’ face numerous challenges, but none that are insurmountable The private sector and government both have roles to play to encourage the Diaspora to return