Engaging the Scottish Diaspora: Rationale, Benefits and Challenges

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APPENDIX THREE: APPLYING THE DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

This Appendix contains examples of the evidence and assumptions for both benefits and challenges, using the proposed framework. It uses the example of a young, mobile, lived diaspora group as its reference point.

Benefits

Example Evidence & Assumptions

Investment

How much of an influence does the diaspora group have on investment?

Trade

Are members of the diaspora likely to remit money home to Scotland?

Transfers

Does familiarity with contemporary Scotland influence trade and procurement?

Tourism

Does being a member of this diaspora group affect ideas of Scotland as a tourist destination?

Knowledge Transfer

Can links to past employers, education ro cultural providers facilitate knowledge transfer?

International Influence

Do lived diaspora working in foreign or multinational organisations act as advocates for Scotland?

Immigration

How mobile is this diaspora group in terms of coming to live and work in Scotland?

Circular Migration

Is this a mobile group that sees their departure from Scotland as temporary and intend to return?

Table 3: Matrix of Diaspora Engagement Benefits

Challenges

Example Evidence & Assumptions

Identify

Could contact with past employers or education providers aid identification of diaspora members?

Communicate

Possible channels include: websites, email, social networking

Engagement

This group has experience of contemporary Scotland, but they have moved on. How "Scottish-minded" are they?

Rights

What support or benefits of engagement could be extended to this group?

Follow

Mobile group difficult to track. How can we build on the relationship?

Policy Interactions

Which policy areas might engagement with this diaspora group interact with?

Table 4: Matrix of Challenges in Engaging with Diaspora Groups

Page updated: Tuesday, July 28, 2009