A Swiss Network of Scientific Diasporas to Enforce the Role

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A Swiss Network of Scientific Diasporas to Enforce the Role of Highly Skilled Migrants as Partners in Development Vice-Presidency for International Affairs - Cooperation@epfl Expected Results The project is intended to yield the following results: Collect data and contribute knowledge-based evidence regarding the professional or academic situation of highly skilled migrants in Switzerland and the function of brain gain mechanisms operating between Switzerland and developing countries; Build a research methodology that could be used for future studies on migrants as development partners; Contribute to the policy dialogue on migration and development and on scientific cooperation policies through the creation of an action-oriented tool kit with best practices and best scientific development cooperation policies; Establish the Swiss Network of Scientific Diasporas for the promotion of exchanges or programmes that encourage co-operation and knowledge circulation providing long-term structured support to highly skilled migrants within diaspora communities, and linking them to their countries of origin in a systematic and institutional manner. Overview: Migration and Development This research and action-oriented project examines the position of highly skilled migrants from developing countries living and producing knowledge in Switzerland, and their potential to have a positive impact in their countries of origin, aiming at providing a better understanding of their role as agents of development. Objectives The research will study cases of highly skilled Colombian, Indian and South African migrants in Switzerland, and consider three brain gain mechanisms: scientific diaspora networks; strategies of investment in research and experimental development; and North-South research partnership programmes. The project will analyse how these strategies have operated up to now in Switzerland and their potential impact on development in the country of origin. to link highly skilled migrants to their countries of origin; to engage scientific diasporas for development purposes • The research will examine: • The concerns and aspirations that influence highly skilled migrants decisions and behaviours; • The circumstances under which co-operation initiatives from highly skilled migrants emerge, the mechanisms used and the intergenerational attitudes; • The obstacles confronted by highly skilled migrants from developing countries in leveraging for development purposes the knowledge they have acquired abroad; • Public policies to encourage the circulation of knowledge gained by highly skilled migrants and the impact that these policies have on development;   • How to build a long-term strategic partnership with researchers, scientists and students from developing countries who are producing knowledge in higher education and research institutions in Switzerland; • The best way for development institutions and policy makers to engage with diaspora communities. Research Team The project is coordinated by Cooperation@epfl at the Vice-Presidency for International Affairs (VPRI), EPFL, in close collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies (SFM). Coordination and Head of Research: Prof. Jean-Claude Bolay, Director of Cooperation@epfl, EPFL-VPRI, and Dr. Gabriela Tejada, Cooperation@epfl Scientific Committee and co-researchers: Guillermo Arbelaez, De Papaya.org; Dr. ClaudioBolzman, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, UNIGE and University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland; Dr. Marie-ClaireCaloz-Tschopp, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences (FPSE), UNIGE and Institute of Political and International Studies, University of Lausanne; Ibrahim A. Dia, PhD candidate UNIGE; Dr. Rosita Fibbi, School of Translation and Interpretation, UNIGE and SFM; Francelle Kwankam, MIGRANT Programme, ILO; MarcoPecoraro, PhD candidate SFM; Dr. Carlos Andrés Peña, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research; Prof. Christiane Perregaux., FPSE, UNIGE; Prof. PhilippeWanner, Labodemo, UNIGE; Dr. Piyasiri Wickramasekara, MIGRANT Programme, ILO. Methodology Employing theoretical, empirical and prospective perspectives this project uses quantitative and qualitative research methods, based on statistical analysis, surveys, questionnaires, in-depth interviews and biographical research methodologies. The analysis will include a gender perspective. Project Funding The Project is funded by the Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN) Contacts:Prof. Jean-Claude Bolay (jean-claude.bolay@epfl) Dr. Gabriela Tejada (gabriela.tejada@epfl.ch) EPFL-VPRI Cooperation@epfl / CM 2 - Station 10 / CH-1015 Lausanne Phone : +41 21-693 60 12 Fax : +41 21-693 60 10 Websites:Scientific Diasporas Network: http://cooperation.epfl.ch/ScientificDiasporasNetwork Cooperation@epfl:http://cooperation.epfl.ch   GIAN: http://www.ruig-gian.org/ International Labour Organization