Abstract

TEJADA, Gabriela. Movilidad, conocimiento y cooperación: Las diásporas científicas como agentes de desarrollo. Migr. desarro [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.18, pp.67-100. ISSN 1870-7599.

The growing knowledge gap between the Northern and Southern hemispheres evidence need to address the mobility of qualified scientists and professionals from innovative viewpoints. The importance that science and the production of knowledge have in development demand, now more than ever, that we assess the value of international cooperation and the involvement of scientific diasporas as relevant actors. Since globalization and technological advances have prompted new ways to long distance contributions, the challenge is to find optimal ways in which to involve the emigrant human capital of developing countries in the latter's scientific and socio-economic progress. This article analyses the transnational practices of scientists and qualified professionals from Colombia, India and South Africa residing in Switzerland, and examines the conditions and required opportunity structures for them to act as agents of change that benefits their countries of origin.

Keywords : scientific diasporas; mobility; knowledge; international cooperation; community development.