Bistandstorget

Bistandstorget/Norwegian Development Network

Resource and competence milieu for Civil Society Organisations and other development actors

Thinking out of the box - how can migration and development lead to new ways for collaboration?

16.09.09

Moderator and speakers:

Tayyab Chaudri (IHSG), Leila Rispens-Noel (INAFI, Senegal), Grace Cabactulan (DFD , Diaspora Forum for Development, Netherlands), Tomas Magnusson (Gøteborgsinitativet), Sweden, Saif Omar (Forum Syd, Sweden), Marianne Fredriksen (Projektrådgivningen, Denmark), Norunn Grande (Norsk Fredssenter) Michael Vitols and Safia Abdi (Norsk sykepleierforbund), Gisle Kvanvig (Kirkens Nødhjelp), Pilotprosjekt Pakistan and more.

1. Background

Traditionally migration and development have been treated as two different portfolios. Today the many links that exist between these two fields are increasingly being recognised. Development action can help tackling root causes of migration, and migration can contribute positively to development including economic growth, empowerment and technological progress.

2. Participants

Target group was persons from CSOs and diaspora groups and migrant organisations working with or interested in development issues. Representatives from authorities, consultants-, and persons from the research and education sector were also welcome. Altogether 35 people attended the seminar

3. Purpose and content

The aim of this seminar is to present different models for working with migration and development. We also hope that the seminar will stimulate and give ideas to more cooperation between Norwegian CSOs and diaspora groups.

Many diaspora NGOs are active in different types of development in their countries of origin, some in cooperation with traditional development NGOs, some through their diaspora organisastion, international networks or within transnational organisations with roots both in their home country and in their new countries. Different kinds of models are used both in Norway and in other countries. We invited persons and organisations in Norway and from various other countries to share their experiences with different ways of cooperating, and to discuss possibilities and challenges.