LAUNCH OF THE E-CONSULTATION

IFAD estimates that more than 30 million African diasporas jointly contribute about US$40 billion in remittances to their families and communities back home every year. According to the World Bank remittance flows to the developing countries in 2008 reached US$ 338 billion. The decline in nominal dollar terms is small relative to the projected fall in private capital flows or official aid to developing countries. Despite the financial crisis, migrants worldwide sent an estimated US$ 317 billion, a 6.1 per cent decline over 2008 . For instance, in the 2008-2013 period, EU development aid to ACP countries channelled through the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) reached a total of Euro 22.98 billion or Euro 4.6 billion per year. By comparison, migrant remittances are now estimated to exceed Euro 20 billion per year.

But how does migration affect ACP rural development? The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) started discussing the key challenges on this issue during the Brussels Development Briefing on “How does international migration affect ACP rural development?” last 11th December 2008. The objectives of this briefing were 1) to raise awareness on key challenges; to promote exchange of information and expertise; and 2) to feed in the debate on migration and development by bringing various perspectives, 3) to define needed actions in support of migration and rural development. As a follow up to this event, we would like to invite you to join an electronic discussion on the “Key challenges on Migration and Rural development for ACP countries”.

The results of the discussion could help CTA plans for its future engagement in this thematic area and might lead to holding an international conference and/or conduct a full study on migration and rural development in ACP countries in 2010. Also CTA hopes that the input from various actors and key resources can contribute to the inclusion of migration and rural development in policy discussions during migration and development-related conferences in 2010.

The discussion will be held in French and English with translation provided by the organisers. Key resources and background documents will also be posted. Every two weeks from December 2009 – February 2010, we will circulate a short note on the key issue, followed by some guide questions, to stimulate reactions and inputs from the participants. Please do not hesitate to bring to our attention any eventual issue you would like to be raised. Kindly always send your messages and contributions to the organisers, for immediate translation. Once translated, your contribution will be disseminated to the mailing list.

A report, summarising the electronic discussions, will be provided and widely circulated among stakeholders and decision-makers.

We would be grateful if you could confirm your interest and participation in this initiative by sending your response by e-mail to Mrs Leila Rispens-Noel (leila.wimler@gmail.com) and Ms Silvia Scalco (silviascalco@gmail.com).

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

On behalf of the organizers,

Leila Rispens-Noel and Isolina Boto