Role of the Diaspora1 in Knowledge Exchange Network For National Growth and Social Change

Abstract

Most developing countries like Ethiopia aspire to fast-track their development processes to
alleviate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. These aspirations are
dependent on a nation’s human capital and the progress it makes in education, science
technology and innovations. For Ethiopia, engaging the brain power of its professionals fully
and effectively is imperative to achieve the country’s quest for rapid development and
sustainable social change. In this regard, Ethiopia needs to create an enabling environment and
establish strategic collaborations and partnerships with all its development partners and sectors.
The Ethiopian Diaspora, including its second and third generation, is among the country’s
critical intellectual resource whose maximum mobilization and engagement is indispensible.
Unfortunately, the Diaspora has not been effectively mobilized, networked and engaged. This
paper attempts to (i) highlight the enormity of the problem of brain-drain (ii) underline
Diaspora’s role in knowledge exchange networks (iii) and recommend increasing viability of
Diaspora professional networks.