How can the Serbian diaspora contribute much more to the development at home country? Cover Image

Како српска дијаспора може више допринети развоју своје државе?
How can the Serbian diaspora contribute much more to the development at home country?

Author(s): Vladimir Grečić
Subject(s): Human Geography, Migration Studies
Published by: Српско географско друштво
Keywords: diaspora and development;Serbian diaspora;remittances;social remittances;hierarchy of diaspora impacts

Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes the existing contribution of the Serbian diaspora to the development at home country, and features of its major effects as a partner in the process of economic development. No doubt, the spiritus movens of the contemporary and future economic and social progress is and will be the economy of ideas and creativity. The key factors of this new economy are education, research and innovation. To achieve competitiveness in an increasingly global economic environment it is necessary: the adequate supply and quality of the workforce in the field of research and development. In the last two and a half decades, Serbia's brain drain was quite massive. Thus in the Serbian diaspora there are reputable scientists and successful managers in all fields. Diaspora, the people link between countries, can be the source of cooperation. Consequently, the most important is the question of whether and under what conditions Serbia’s brain drain can be reversed to brain gain. The author argue that the diasporas and migrants could play a crucial role in the development of home country, by presentation of their different experiences. Engaging the Diaspora in the development of home country largely depends on the home country. Talents remain an important component of countries’ and businesses’ long-term competitiveness. In support of this thesis, the author presents the most significant and most successful examples of good practice, arguing that this experience can be used in Serbia, of course, taking into account some of its specificities. The question: how they develop, retain and attract talent should therefore remain high on the agenda of policymakers and business leaders for the foreseeable future of Serbia.

  • Issue Year: 96/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 65-82
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English