Pictures of the debate | Detailed programme of the 2 days event, including time schedule of shuttle bus

A debate on the role of migrants in development

Welcome by Han Aarts, Steering Committee Maastricht Debates, Director MUNDO, Maastricht University

H.E. Cardozo Luna, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands on the Philippine experience regarding collaborative projects and programs between migrants(organizations) and local government

Professor Ton van Naerssen, Radboud University Nijmegen on the connection between remittances and development and the interrelations between trade policy, aid policy, migration policy in fighting poverty.

Sylvia van den Berg-Ortega, Diaspora Forum for Development  on the connection between remittances and development, its social and economic ramifications and the role of migrants in advancing the development in their homelands. Also the bottlenecks encountered by migrants.

Moderated by Inge Römgens and Ibra Ndaula Secretary of Pearl of Africa.

Featuring the short documentary ‘Sending Money Home’ on the local and international flow of remittances.

Afterwards, drinks and live music by Astillero Tango from Buenos Aires

Information market organized by Mondiaal Centrum

The objective of this debate is to clarify the connections between remittances and development, its social and economic ramifications and to show the role of migrants and private initiatives in promoting development in their homelands. Also to identify the incoherence regarding trade policy, aid policy, migration policy in fighting poverty. In the light of the coming election, (local) politicians will be invited to comment on their programs regarding international cooperation particularly on the component of migrants’ position in it.

This debate is a joint effort of COS Limburg and Diaspora Forum for Development within the framework of Arc Mundi and Maastricht Debates.

This debate will broadcasted on EUX TV.