I have been invited to attend the European Business Summit (EBS) - http://www.ebsummit.eu - in Brussels this Thursday.
I will be in a workshop discussing the topic of "Economic Migration to Europe: brain drain or brain gain?"
And I would like to know your opinion to share it with the audience and policy makers of the European Union.
The question is:
How can the EU provide access to opportunities for international young people without negatively affecting developing countries and positively impacting the socio-economical development of the Union?
Drop me a comment and I will take your inputs to the right forum!
Hey Juan!
ReplyDeleteI bet it was an interesting workshop.
One thing I've come across is a project to leverage immigrant communities to start businesses in their home countries. Essentially have government funded venture capital and/or small business capital that is marketed towards communities of immigrants offered for starting businesses in their home countries.
On the VC level, the EU/national agencies working with this can also be encouraged to work together with the private sector (ie. hiring experienced VCs and essentially providing oversight / funding) in a way as such that the government funding never exceeds a 49% stake and there is always a private investment along side the government one. As such the risk of government chosen investment (which usually doesn't make the right choices) is lower and more sustainable business ideas will be sponsored.
It's one idea that can leverage the return of migrants who have come to the EU.
Take care!/Linus from Sweden
Thanks Linus!
ReplyDeleteI took note.
By the way, Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum of Sweden, will be in that workshop too.
I haven't followed-up the current government's policies.. but in general they are usually quite good. Would be interesting to hear what he thinks!
ReplyDeleteHey Juan
ReplyDeleteFinally done with 8 hours of exam. Hopefully my brain is gonna work better now.
There are two key points in this question.
1. Negatively impacting third world/poor countries
2. positively impacting EU.
I was born and raised in a country from third world. I have seen what people do everyday just to get one chance to make their way to EU or North America. Most of the people who come to these two continents, pretty much put their lives, resourses, parents life long saving at stake to make a future for themselves and for the next generation. You would be surprised that the most of the foreign currency that my country has come from all the immigrant people living in EU and NA. When these skilled or non skilled people come here, they not only work hard, make a positive change in a different society but they also contribute hugely to the countries economy they belong to.
As far as the positive impact on EU 's socio economic status is concerned, I am very positive that these immigrants are making a huge difference by bringing diversity, different set of skills, hard work and determination.
When the next part come to the immigrant, which is getting more involved with their country, I guess there are couple of steps that could be considered.
1. Making a council of immigrants which is part of EU council . It will give them access to communicate in the proper fashion, get the ideas and problem from their community to the people who needs to listen to. These council can also present ideas and project which can collaborate both countries interest . It would be also great to have the ambassador of those countries be involved in that council because it might cause them less bureaucracy .
2.What can be better than AIESEC? AIESECER's alone represent a huge part of the young generation of any country. They are bright, energetic and they have the leadership skills which is required. These AIESECRE'S can get involved with international projects and equally benefit both countries interest. Specially AIESEC has national,international profitable and non profit organizations support.
3.The most important thing I can think right now would be try to listen and give input to these young immigrants. Most of the time listening is the problem. That prevents us from getting in the bottom of a problem. There are lot of immigrants who already runs business and projects in their home country but can not do it as much as they want to because of the bureaucracy of the system. When these immigrant community can tell their problems, their dreams and can see that there are ways to fix them, they will be more encouraged to take on any project and it will positively impact EU's socio economic situation.
Thats all for now. When my brain start ticking again, I will share it with you.
Good luck.
Moon