Diapositive 1

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A Swiss Network of Scientific Diasporas to
Enforce the Role of Highly Skilled Migrants as
Partners in Development Vice-Presidency for
International Affairs - Cooperation_at_epfl
Expected Results The project is intended to
yield the following results Collect data and
contribute knowledge-based evidence regarding the
professional or academic situation of highly
skilled migrants in Switzerland and the function
of brain gain mechanisms operating between
Switzerland and developing countries Build a
research methodology that could be used for
future studies on migrants as development
partners Contribute to the policy dialogue on
migration and development and on scientific
cooperation policies through the creation of an
action-oriented tool kit with best practices and
best scientific development cooperation policies
Establish the Swiss Network of Scientific
Diasporas for the promotion of exchanges or
programmes that encourage co-operation and
knowledge circulation providing long-term
structured support to highly skilled migrants
within diaspora communities, and linking them to
their countries of origin in a systematic and
institutional manner.
Overview Migration and Development This
research and action-oriented project examines the
position of highly skilled migrants from
developing countries living and producing
knowledge in Switzerland, and their potential to
have a positive impact in their countries of
origin, aiming at providing a better
understanding of their role as agents of
development.   Objectives The research will
study cases of highly skilled Colombian, Indian
and South African migrants in Switzerland, and
consider three brain gain mechanisms scientific
diaspora networks strategies of investment in
research and experimental development and
North-South research partnership programmes. The
project will analyse how these strategies have
operated up to now in Switzerland and their
potential impact on development in the country of
origin.
to link highly skilled migrants to their
countries of origin to engage scientific
diasporas for development purposes

• The research will examine
• The concerns and aspirations that influence
  highly skilled migrants decisions and
  behaviours
• The circumstances under which co-operation
  initiatives from highly skilled migrants emerge,
  the mechanisms used and the intergenerational
  attitudes
• The obstacles confronted by highly skilled
  migrants from developing countries in leveraging
  for development purposes the knowledge they have
  acquired abroad
• Public policies to encourage the circulation of
  knowledge gained by highly skilled migrants and
  the impact that these policies have on
  development  
• How to build a long-term strategic partnership
  with researchers, scientists and students from
  developing countries who are producing knowledge
  in higher education and research institutions in
  Switzerland
• The best way for development institutions and
  policy makers to engage with diaspora
  communities.

Research Team The project is coordinated by
Cooperation_at_epfl at the Vice-Presidency for
International Affairs (VPRI), EPFL, in close
collaboration with the International Labour
Organization (ILO), the University of Geneva
(UNIGE) and the Swiss Forum for Migration and
Population Studies (SFM). Coordination and Head
of Research Prof. Jean-Claude Bolay, Director
of Cooperation_at_epfl, EPFL-VPRI, and Dr. Gabriela
Tejada, Cooperation_at_epfl Scientific Committee and
co-researchers Guillermo Arbelaez, De
Papaya.org Dr. Claudio Bolzman, Faculty of
Economics and Social Sciences, UNIGE and
University of Applied Sciences of Western
Switzerland Dr. Marie-Claire Caloz-Tschopp,
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences
(FPSE), UNIGE and Institute of Political and
International Studies, University of Lausanne
Ibrahim A. Dia, PhD candidate UNIGE Dr. Rosita
Fibbi, School of Translation and Interpretation,
UNIGE and SFM Francelle Kwankam, MIGRANT
Programme, ILO Marco Pecoraro, PhD candidate
SFM Dr. Carlos Andrés Peña, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research Prof. Christiane
Perregaux., FPSE, UNIGE Prof. Philippe Wanner,
Labodemo, UNIGE Dr. Piyasiri Wickramasekara,
MIGRANT Programme, ILO.
Methodology Employing theoretical, empirical and
prospective perspectives this project uses
quantitative and qualitative research methods,
based on statistical analysis, surveys,
questionnaires, in-depth interviews and
biographical research methodologies. The analysis
will include a gender perspective.
Project Funding The Project is funded by the
Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN)
Contacts Prof. Jean-Claude Bolay
(jean-claude.bolay_at_epfl) Dr. Gabriela Tejada
(gabriela.tejada_at_epfl.ch) EPFL-VPRI
Cooperation_at_epfl / CM 2 - Station 10 / CH-1015
Lausanne Phone  [phone] Fax  41
21-693 60 10 Websites Scientific Diasporas
Network http//cooperation.epfl.ch/ScientificDias
porasNetwork Cooperation_at_epflhttp//cooperation.e
pfl.ch   GIAN http//www.ruig-gian.org/
International Labour Organization