Program Achievements
2006 Course on Migrant Remittances and Development
In Spring 2006 the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) offered a master's level course on remittances and development, taught by the Program's manager Lenora Suki and sponsored by the IDB’s Multilateral Investment Fund. With formal pedagogy, expert guest lectures and active student participation, the course covered trends and major issues, data challenges, country and socioeconomic profiles, development impact and institutional responses. This first-ever academic course on remittances was over-subscribed. SIPA has already received requests to hold the course again in coming semesters. Click here for detailed course information.
2006 Country Case Studies: Mexico, Ecuador and Guatemala
The case studies aim to illustrate institutional diversity, best practice, market failures and priorities for investment to facilitate the participation of financial sector, public sector and civil society in remittances. In addition to a survey of institutions in all three sectors, the role of popular finance institutions is highlighted. An innovative survey at both the headquarters and branch level highlights operational issues and the challenges of savings mobilization, financial education, technological and communications infrastructure and urban and rural service differentials. The studies will be complete by Spring 2006. The Program anticipates in-country seminars to refine analysis and policy conclusions.
2005 Workshop on Housing and Remittances in Immigrant Communities in New York
In Fall 2005, with the active participation and sponsorship of the Program, a Masters in Public Administration workshop carried out the first ever research on housing and remittances. In three immigrant communities in New York City (Colombians, Ecuadorians and Mexicans), students conducted 700 interviews with migrants and consulted with financial institutions, construction firms, civil society and development practitioners. Click here to download the final report.
2004 Dominican Republic Case Study and Conference
The Dominican Republic study was one of the first analyses ever to focus on institutions in receiving countries. The IADB-sponsored conference in November 2004, at which the study was presented, was attended by more than 300 people in finance, academia, government and civil society. The study has led to active ongoing dialogue with development practitioners, community leaders, finance professionals and public sector agencies. Click here for conference proceedings and case study.