Diaspora Engagement: An analysis of Mexico's Diaspora Engagement Efforts
Author
Engstrøm, Sara Kitten
Term
4. term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-12-21
Pages
63
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan Mexicos indsats for at engagere sin diaspora – personer med mexicanske rødder, som bor i udlandet – har gjort det lettere for dem at bidrage til hjemlandet, og hvilke muligheder og begrænsninger der følger med. I de seneste to årtier har den mexicanske stat udbygget og formaliseret sådanne indsatser, hvilket hænger sammen med en markant stigning i diasporaens bidrag. Afhandlingen fokuserer på tre tiltag: det konsulære netværk, 3x1-programmet og Paisano-programmet. Til analysen anvendes elementer fra Agunias og Newlands (2012) vejkort for at engagere diasporas i udvikling, som hjælper med at identificere kræfter, der fremmer eller hæmmer engagement. Analyserne peger på fire hovedresultater. For det første har tiltag i det konsulære netværk gjort det nemmere for medlemmer af diasporaen at få adgang til banktjenester. Det har øget udbuddet af og sænket prisen på pengetransfer-tjenester. For det andet giver 3x1-programmet organiserede diaspora-grupper en mere struktureret og institutionaliseret måde at omdanne kollektive hjemsendte midler (remitter) til lokale fælles projekter. De samlede udviklingseffekter er dog uklare, fordi projekter udvælges ud fra programmets samarbejdselementer snarere end ud fra en økonomisk logik. For det tredje fokuserer Paisano-programmet på at formidle information til diasporaen og uddanne offentligt ansatte. Hovedformålet er at støtte en sikker hjemrejse for diaspora-medlemmer, og programmet bidrager primært til øget diaspora-turisme. Endelig finder afhandlingen ingen klar sammenhæng mellem niveauer af menneskelig udvikling, velfærd og fattigdom i de delstater, der modtager flest remitter.
This thesis examines how Mexico’s efforts to engage its diaspora—people of Mexican origin living abroad—have enabled and facilitated their contributions to the country of origin, as well as the opportunities and limits of these efforts. Over the past two decades, the Mexican government has expanded and institutionalized diaspora engagement, which coincides with a notable rise in diaspora contributions. The study focuses on three initiatives: the consular network, the 3x1 program, and the Paisano program. It draws on elements from Agunias and Newland’s (2012) Road Map for Engaging Diasporas in Development to identify factors that drive or restrain engagement. The analysis yields four main findings. First, initiatives within the consular network have improved diaspora members’ access to banking services, resulting in a wider range of and lower-cost money transfer options. Second, the 3x1 program gives organized diaspora groups a more structured and institutionalized pathway to turn collective remittances (money sent home) into community projects. However, its overall development effects are unclear because projects are chosen for their collaborative aspects rather than on economic grounds. Third, the Paisano program focuses on sharing information with the diaspora and training civil servants. Its primary goal is to support safe returns for diaspora members, and it mainly contributes to increased diaspora tourism. Finally, the study finds no clear relationship among levels of human development, welfare, and poverty in the states that receive the most remittances.
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