Development and the African diaspora

de Claire Mercer · Publicada por primera vez en 2008

There has been much celebration of the success of African 'civil society' in forging global connections through an ever-growing diaspora. Against the background of such celebrations, this book focuses on the diasporic networks--'home associations'--whose economic contributions are being used to develop home. 'This engaging and well-written book offers a richly empirical analysis of the roles of diaspora associations in development back home. Ultimately, the book requires us to rethink many assumptions about the migration-development nexus for Africa, recentering the discussion on nuances, context, heterogeneity, and the everyday lives of people who make these long journeys'--Garth Myers, Kansas University. 'This is a timely addition to ongoing discourse on the structure and diverse character of African home associations. The authors' incisive participatory research has convinced them that despite their limitations, these associations offer transformative possibilities. Policy makers, researchers, students, development partners and relevant stakeholders will find the book very informative'--Aderanti Adepoju, Coordinator, Network of Migration Research on Africa. 'Showing the entanglement of national and local politics and elites with a sense of obligation and loyalty to place, this original book reveals the limits and potentialities of 'home' associations in the modern development project. A must for overseas developers the book illuminates an important field of enduring interest'--Pnina Werbner, University of Keele.