The Role of the Diaspora in Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building in Post-Conflict Settings: The Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals to Afghanistan

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Katie Kuschminder, MGSoG / UNU-Merit

Diaspora temporary return programmes have gained increasing attention in recent years and numerous temporary return programmes have been implemented in Afghanistan since 2001 by the World Bank, UNDP, and IOM. In 2006 IOM the Netherlands began the Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals Project (TRQN) to Afghanistan. The objective of this paper is to understand if and how the TRQN Project contributes to knowledge transfer and capacity building in Afghanistan. The paper is based on in-depth interviews conducted in the Netherlands and Afghanistan with participants, host institutions, participants colleagues, and key informants. The paper will demonstrate and conclude that the TRQN project does lead to knowledge transfer and capacity building in Afghanistan.

Venue: UNU Merit Conference Room (Keizer Karelplein 19)

Date: 15 June 2011

Time: 12:30 - 13:30  CET