1. Migration from a transnational perspective: Valentina Mazzucato The case of Ghanaian migrants in the Netherlands and their ties back home Global Issues Seminar Series October 11, 2006

2. Home Host A B Migration

3. Home Host Transnationalism

4. A transnational perspective Linkages are focal point. Need to look at what is happening on BOTH sides of migration.

5. A transnational network

6. Benefits to people back home

7. BUT remittances TO migrants remittances FROM migrants > (()) Only SOMETIMES does migration provide benefits to those at home. a)Depends on the migrants situation abroad. b)Remittances are two-way flows. ?

8. Ghanaians in the NL Arrived since 1980s Low education levels Men and women Officially 18,700 in 2004 (more likely around 45,000)

9. NetherlandsInternational NeighborhoodAmsterdamOther School feesHome purchaseDutch wax clothPhone calls Church/association donations RentHealth insuranceElectronics Food shoppingCar purchaseIncome taxPlane tickets Liquor (for cultural ceremonies) City taxLawyersShipping Services (child care, call centers, money transfers, travel agencies) Marriage partner Connection men Foreign policeDetectives Dutch Embassy Non-remittance expenditures

10. Formal and informal economies of identity docs. 2001 20022003 Staying permit 56 430 Renewal of staying permit 0 285 Permit for unlimited time227 890 Legalization of birth certificate 122 Typical immigration lawyer fee 1,000 Help with legalization procedure 2,000 Marriage partner10,000 ~~ Euros ~~

11. Conclusion 1 Migration policies in migrant-receiving countries affect the development potential of migrants.

12. Remittances as two-way flows Migrants receive services and goods from home: –Housing construction –Child care –Business management –Local goods (food, medicine, clothes, videos) Also receive services related to helping migrants in crisis situations.

13. Remittances as two-way flows

14. Conclusion 2 Policies in migrant-receiving countries affect the costs of migration for migrant- sending countries.

15. Overall implications Migration studies need to look at BOTH ends of the migration equation. International development agencies and Western country governments need to address the fact that migration policies in migrant-receiving countries affect the development potential of migration.

16. Ghana TransNet www2. fmg.uva.nl/ghanatransnet/