Project Objectives

The Program’s main objectives are to explore and promote:

Expanded institutional roles and innovative service solutions: Especially during its first two years, the program’s research agenda is centered on the intermediation of remittances by institutions in the private and financial sectors, the public sector and civil society. This entails inquiry into the functioning of markets that determine the cost and efficiency of money transfers, as well as the linkages between remittances and other financial services for underserved populations.

Knowledge leadership on human development and remittances: It is imperative that the dialogue on remittances begins to emphasize the social, human and economic development dimensions of the issue. Starting in 2006, the Program’s research agenda proposes work that draws deeper connections between migration and remittances with human and economic development. This requires focused research on the relationship between remittances and poverty reduction through investments in education, child heath, nutrition and housing. With the increasing feminization of migration, remittances also have an important impact on gender equity and family dynamics. These connections have yet to be explored in much depth. Policies must take these linkages into account in order to assure impact.

Knowledge-sharing and capacity-building: All our consultations with practitioners in both developed and developing countries in all sectors underline the importance of sharing lessons from experience, especially among receiving countries. Through dissemination of remittance research, one-on-one exchanges, academic innovation in graduate-level courses, the Program has already begun to build a network of stakeholders and practitioners, which will be broadened through workshops, conferences and electronic exchanges.

Migrant participation and engagement in development of home countries: The Program wishes to facilitate the participation of migrant groups in setting development priorities, contributing to policy-making, mobilizing resources from within and outside their communities, implementing projects and monitoring, and improving access to public services.

Academic interest and innovation: The Program has already illustrated its commitment to academic innovation and participation through its sponsorship of conferences and graduate courses (see Program Resources or Achievements). Through sponsored research, the Program will build on the work of a dedicated group of scholars at Columbia working on diaspora issues in political science, economics, law, sociology, education and other disciplines. Building ties with academic institutions in other sending and receiving communities promotes necessary dialogue and scholarship among countries experiencing this phenomenon.