Remittances and Migration (Dr. Judith Van Doorn, ILO) 9 October 2002
		Migration and Poverty: An Introduction To The Issues (Prof. Ronald Skeldon, University of Sussex) 11 December 2002 +REPORT
		Informal Funds Transfer Systems: An Analysis of the Hawala System (Dr. John Wilson, IMF) 10 January 2003 +REPORT
		Migration, Globalisation and Poverty (Dr. Richard Black, University of Sussex) 24 February 2003 + REPORT
		Remittances and their economic impact in areas of mass overseas migration: two contrasting South Asian case studies (Dr. Roger Ballard, University of Manchester) 4 March 2003 +REPORT
		Labour Migration and Remittances - lessons from Nepal (Professor David Seddon, UEA) 19 March 2003
		Migrant Workers and their Role in Rural Livelihoods: Lessons for Policy (Arjan de Haan, DFID-I and Dr. Ben Rogaly, UEA) 10 April 2002
		Migration, Development and Pro-poor Policy: A Synthesis of information on Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam (Professor Ronald Skeldon , Sussex University) 23 May 2003

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	Individual listings

Remittances and Migration (Dr. Judith Van Doorn, ILO)
9 October 2002
Chair: David Stanton (organised jointly with PSPD)

Judith van Doorn will focus on the concepts related to remittances and migration, and outline the work of the ILO on the remittances that migrant workers send back to their countries of origin. The research focuses mainly on formal channels (e.g., commercial banks and companies such as Western Union), but includes some work on informal transfer channels (e.g., hundi/hawalla system); internal/national remittances or in-kind transfers are not included in this work. The presentation will conclude by articulating the links between remittances and policy, and examine the advantages and disadvantages different intervention models.

Migration and Poverty: An Introduction To The Issues (Prof. Ronald Skeldon, University of Sussex)
11 December 2002
Chair: Susanna Moorehead

The complex and ambivalent relationships between migration and poverty will be outlined. Although, generally, there has been a reduction in poverty and an increase in migration in many parts of the Asian region it would be unwise to draw any simple conclusion that migration leads to poverty reduction. Migration is a critical dimension of development and policy makers need to incorporate the mobility of populations in programmes of poverty eradication. Attempts to restrict migration are likely to be counterproductive and will exacerbate rather than reduce poverty. The discussion will be broadened to consider the relevance or non-relevance of the East Asian case in other parts of the world.

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Informal Funds Transfer Systems: An Analysis of the Hawala System (Dr. John Wilson, IMF)
10 January 2003
Chair: Jane Clark (organised jointly with EDD)

Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the US, there has been renewed public interest in informal funds transfer (IFT) systems in general, and the hawala system which is found predominantly in the Middle East and South Asia. Press coverage, which often focused on the reputed connection between the hawala system and terrorist financing activities, increased the level of official concern about its potential susceptibility to financial abuse. Some national financial regulators began the process of examining existing regulations, and in some cases, designing, developing and implementing new financial sector policies, including those that address IFT systems. John Wilson will present the findings, analyses and conclusions of a study on the operational characteristics of the Hawala system.

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Migration, Globalisation and Poverty (Dr. Richard Black, University of Sussex)
24 February 2003
Chair: Jeremy Clarke

Remittances and their economic impact in areas of mass overseas migration: two contrasting South Asian case studies (Dr. Roger Ballard, University of Manchester)
4 March 2003
Chair: David Stanton

Drawing on his lengthy fieldwork experience in South Asia, Roger Ballard will compare and contrast the impact of the huge capital inflow of migrant remittances on the local economy of villages in the Jullundur Doab, India, with similar inflows into the neighbouring district of Mirpur across the border in Pakistan. He will demonstrate that whilst remittances have been a significant spur to further economic development in Jullundur, the reverse has very largely been the case in Mirpur.

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Labour Migration and Remittances - lessons from Nepal (Professor David Seddon, UEA)
19 March 2003
Chair: Judy Walker

Recent research, sponsored by DFID Nepal and undertaken by a team from the Overseas Development Group at the University of East Anglia, has revealed the massive scale and significance of 'the remittance economy of Nepal'. Hitherto largely ignored in government policy, programmes and projects, yet involving and affecting rural households across the country (albeit unequally at regional, district and local level), labour migration and the remittances sent home by migrant workers, are now crucial features - if not determinants - of rural economy and society. The scale of remittances from abroad has implications for Nepal's national accounts and balance of payments, as well as for the regional, district and local economies.

Migrant Workers and their Role in Rural Livelihoods: Lessons for Policy (Arjan de Haan, DFID-I and Dr. Ben Rogaly, UEA)
10 April 2002
Chair: Richard Manning

Migration is an important part of rural life in Africa and Asia. It is also a normal, fact of life - nothing exceptional. However, past analyses of changing rural livelihoods have often neglected to account for migration. We show that the relationships between migration and rural change and poverty are complex and context-specific. Migration has often increased inequality, but in many cases also supported vulnerable livelihoods. Much depends on the social processes at work, the ways in which identities shift through migration and how gendered ideologies of work are deployed and change. Labour mobility usually serves the interests of capital, not only in ensuring labour supply, but also, often, in dividing workers; however, the power of capital relative to labour is contingent. We conclude by exploring ways in which public policies can support migrants by making migration less costly and more secure, through reducing discrimination and enhancing access to health care and other services.

Migration, Development and Pro-poor Policy: A Synthesis of information on Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam (Professor Ronald Skeldon , Sussex University)
23 May 2003

Migration within and from the Asia region is an important demographic process and one that has been enabled through the globalisation of investment and the creation of global labour markets. The ASREP-SLSO Migration Programme has looked at internal migration, cross-border movements and international migration specifically from Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, Viet Nam. 5 country case study reports on these countries have investigated historical and contemporary trends in migration and remittance flows, current policy that seeks to manage migration and other policy that affects migration flows. This policy analysis particularly sought to understand whether these were pro-poor, and their impact on migrant's (and their families) rights, social protection and vulnerability. Professor Ronald Skeldon will present his Synthesis of these reports, making a clear and powerful argument for certain policy actions. He will draw out key policy lessons and identify those that are common and those that are specific.

Seminars will be held at Room 3W12, DFID, 1 Palace Street, London SW1E 5HE, 12.30-2pm

Laura Thornton

Email: l-thornton@dfid.gov.uk
Tel: 0207 023 0373