Diasporas, Development and Engagement in Australia’s Asian Century

Abstract

Most of the global discourse on diasporas and their potential for facilitating development and reducing poverty in their countries of origin has focused on diaspora communities in Europe and North America. Yet Australia has some of the world's largest and most active diaspora communities and this chapter seeks to investigate their nature, dynamics and potential. The chapter argues that there are several distinctive aspects of Australian immigration that influence the nature of diaspora engagement in development. In addition, the extent of engagement through the development of migrant associations and other formal and informal linkages is examined. The chapter also addresses policy issues, specifically Australia's official settlement policy of multiculturalism. At least potentially, this would seem supportive of diaspora development and engagement. However, in Australia the official policy is more about equity, access to services and adjustment. Hence, official state support of diaspora activity is limited and it is left to mainly informal mechanisms to encourage this engagement. There is, however, the beginning of a discussion about the role of diasporas in development. Many of Australia's immigrants are from Asia and the Pacific so there is potential for diaspora engagement aimed at facilitating development in these origin countries.