Return migrants cannot always make use of skills and knowledge they learned during migration

What is it about?

In recent years there has been a renewed enthusiasm about the role of migration in development, as well as the importance of remittances. However, there is also a danger of rehashing previous debates with an overemphasis on economic remittances, while relegating the transfer of social remittances, such as new ideas, knowledge, skills, practices, and social capital, to a secondary role. In this paper we scrutinise the relation between social remittances and social resilience. Based on eight months of multi‐sited empirical research in Thailand (origin) and Singapore (destination), the aim of this paper is to enhance our understanding of the process of transfer of social remittances to the place of origin, and their effect on social resilience.

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Photo by Mikael Frivold on Unsplash

Photo by Mikael Frivold on Unsplash

Why is it important?

In the public debate migration is either seen as a problem or as a great adaptation strategy. In this debate it is important to take a differentiated view on the role of migration.