Diasporas contribute significantly to the sustainable development of both destination and origin countries, making diverse economic, social, and cultural contributions. They bring home significant remittances and acquire skills from destination countries, providing significant benefits to home countries and as useful source of technological transfer, and innovative ideas for national development. They send money to home helping to (i) fund basic goods and services, (ii) fight poverty, and (iii) mitigate shocks and support recovery from crises. Migrants also acquire financial resources for sole and joint investment to improve lives, make financial returns, or both. Diasporas are the embodiment of their heritage country’s image abroad, forging ties and creating transnational spaces.
Despite their increasing importance, diaspora policies still receive less consideration than immigration policies. While policymakers and researchers have dedicated more attention to States of origin, they have primarily focused on their role for the immigration policies of States of destination. The transnational engagement of States of origin with their citizens abroad for domestic purposes has received less attention.
