São Paulo – The League of Arab States and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), both of which are intergovernmental organizations, will to conduct a survey on Arab expatriate communities and want contributions from researchers in countries that host immigrants. The aim is to determine how these expatriates may aid in the socioeconomic and political development of their countries of origin.
”It is clear that they (the immigrants) can help [their countries of origin]," said the Arab League ambassador to Brazil, Bachar Yaghi. “They are people who have power, good relations, good reputation and good sentiments toward their native countries,” he added. It is worth noting that Brazil concentrates one of the world’s largest communities of Arab origin.
According to the diplomat, this is the organization’s first time promoting a study of this kind, as part of a broader initiative to mobilize expatriates for the development of the Arab world. The League and the IOM believe immigrants can play an important role in this respect.
The organizations underscore that in many instances, that is already the case. In several Arab nations, remittances of money by expatriate citizens are an important part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “At the dawn of the so-called ‘Arab Spring,’ some Arab expatriates have also expressed their willingness to back up democratic transitions in their countries of origin,” claims a press statement about the survey issued by the League and the IOM.
According to the statement, the opportunities that expatriates represent are often not seized, and the survey will aid in the creation of dedicated policies, as well as in the engagement of immigrants with the issue. The idea is to examine the profile of these people to measure their potential to contribute to their countries of origin and learn how said potential can be brought to fruition. Another goal is to obtain information in order to mitigate the negative effects of migration.
Interested surveyors must submit a work proposal to the organization by September 15th. The text, comprising up to 500 words in Arabic, French or English, should be a short description of what the research will be. Interested parties must also submit their resumés. Up to 10 proposals will be shortlisted and their authors will be notified by October 15th.
The survey in itself must include an analysis of the immigrants’ profile; an assessment of recent contributions and their eventual future support to their countries of origin, in the socioeconomic and political fields; and another assessment of policies and practical measures to engage expatriates in the development of these fields.
According to the statement issued by the Arab League and the IOM, each researcher should interview 15 to 20 immigrants. The final work must be submitted by December 15th and must contain 6,000 to 8,000 words, notes and charts not included. The organizations highlight that the survey cannot be purely academic, but rather it must have a practical approach. Once examined and approved, the surveys will be paid US$ 1,500 each.
Further information and enrolment
League of Arab States, with Samiha Mohei Eldine
E-mail: samiha.mohey@las.int
IOM, with Reham Abdel Mohsen
E-mail: rabdelmohsen@iom.int
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
