From Brain Drain to Brain Circulation:
The Guyana Experience
Presenter: Elizabeth C. Persaud
Theme: “Analysing Current Issues in the Changing Hemispheric
Environment”.
University of Guyana 6th November, 2014
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Introduction
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The migration of highly qualified and skilled persons is a
natural phenomenon.
The accelerated development of communication,
transport, trade and information networks through
globalisation, and transnational identities and mobility
has strengthened the connections of migrants to two or
more places.
Human capital is one of the most important pillars for a
country to create a knowledge- based economy.
Source: International Organization for Migration,2010
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Introduction
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Brain drain is of great concern to small states as
international labour mobility continues to deplete them of
their highly skilled and qualified nationals owing to
emigration to developed countries.
Brain drain has stymied Guyanese human capital
development and consequently, the country’s productive
capacity.
Guyana must develop strategies to reduce the impact of
the brain drain phenomenon.
Citation: World Economic Forum,2014
The Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015
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Introduction
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The creation of a knowledge-based economy is vital to
its innovative capacity and to increase competitiveness.
“Brain Circulation”, a term coined by Saxenian (2005)
emphasises the two way flow of skilled migrants
between home and host countries in contrast to the oneway “brain drain” or “reverse brain drain” phenomenon.
Brain Circulation has presented benefits that can be
used to recapture some of Guyana’s lost knowledge and
skills that resides in the diasporas.
Citation: Saxenian, 2005. Daugeliene, Marcinkeviciene: 2009.
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Migratory Patterns in the Caribbean
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Migration has been an inherent part of the history of the
Caribbean dated back to the 16th century colonialisation,
slavery and Indentureship.
Historically, the Caribbean has been a region of
production and the transfer of labour that has aided in
the industrialization and development of nation states in
Europe.
Migratory patterns and chosen destinations have
changed over the years; as contemporary times have
seen the movement of persons of a more voluntary
nature.
Citation: Thomas-Hope, 2002. Nurse,2004. Reis,2006
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Migratory Patterns in the Caribbean
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The Caribbean has moved towards becoming a net
exporter of labour which is a shift from a traditional net
importer of labour, thereby creating one of the largest
diaspora communities in the world in proportion to its
population (Nurse: 2004).
After independence during the 1960s, the Caribbean
began to experience a wave of emigration to other
countries and small islands within the region, where
people were in search of employment and better working
conditions.
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Migratory Patterns in the Caribbean
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A regional approach was taken to expand the CARICOM
(Caribbean Community) to a Caribbean Single Market
and Economy (CSME).
CARICOM nationals can take advantage of employment
opportunities in various sectors and creating a release
valve for surplus of labour within member states).
This was primarily focused on qualified professionals
and skilled persons with the objective of creating a more
competitive region to combat the challenges of
globalization and the capitalist policies had brought on
the region.
Citation: CARICOM Secretariat,2005.
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Guyana: an overview
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Population size: 800,000 ( 2014 est)
According to the Commonwealth definition of a small
state. being “countries comprising a population size of
below 1.5 million”.
Political independence from Britain was gained on 26th
May, 1966 and Guyana became the Cooperative
Republic four years later on the 23rd February, 1970.
During the 1980s the country witnessed a significant
outward migratory flow of its most skilled and qualified
persons primarily due to the devastation of its economy
and a dramatic decline in living conditions.
Citation: CARICOM, 2005. Commonwealth,2014. Merill,1992.
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Guyana: an overview
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State involvement during the 1970s in the main
productive sectors such as bauxite, sugar and rice led to
an economic downturn in Guyana;
The economic policies that were pursued during the
1970s and 1980s were characterized as cooperative
socialism.
However, structural reforms and a more open market
initiative have reported increasing levels of economic
growth for the country.
Source: World Bank,2014.
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Guyana’s Competitive Capacity
Source: World economic Forum,2014
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Guyana scores 117 out of 144 countries.
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Positioning the theories in Brain Drain
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The Neoclassical Economic theory
wage differentials that exists among countries
which are endowed with abundant labour have lower
wages than those that are more capital endowed.
labour motivates the decision to migrate to host
countries in order to increase migrants earnings.
The New Economics of Migration
premise on strategic planning as a household with the
goal of maximising their earnings,
by diversifying their sources of income which meant the
emigration of some family members to countries with
employment opportunities.
Citation: Massey et al.,1993.
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Factors that contribute to Outward
Migration
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Migrants’ decisions to emigrate from Guyana were motivated predominantly by the following:
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Impact of Brain Drain on Guyana
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Lack of innovative capacity
Deteriorated health and education system
Weak infrastructure
Technological inefficiency
Lack of a knowledge-based economy
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Brain Gain as a strategy for Brain Gain
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Guyana’s attempt :
The Guyana Diaspora Project
The Remigrant Programme
Outcome:
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unsuccessful in attracting and retaining the human
capital to drive innovation.
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Abuse of the duty free concessions available under the
Remigrant programme.
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Brain Circulation
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Human capital is an increasingly important pillar for a
country’s knowledge –based economy’s development
Brain circulation is a result of the development and
alternation of brain drain and brain gain phenomenon.
Drivers of Brain Circulation
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Globalisation
an increase in the advancement of communication and
transportation technologies, making it less difficult for
migrants to maintain close links with their families and
friends within their home countries facilitated by
Transnationalism.
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Brain Circulation
Transnationalism
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Transnationalists view migration as the continuation of a
migration story.
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“Transnationalism” comprises of two interrelated areas:
transnational identities
transnational mobility.
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Brain Circulation
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Transnational identities have resulted from the
combination of the identities of the home country and the
identities that migrants acquire while living abroad in
their host countries.
Migrants are viewed as having the capacity of
negotiating their place in whether in their home or host
country with the view of becoming a part of it; such
migrants are likely to hold dual passports and dual
nationalities ( dual citizenship).
Citation: Cassarino,2004.
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Measures for Brain Circulation in
Guyana
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Engage strategic persons within the Guyanese diaspora
for business investment, transfer of skills and training in
specialized sectors via the Guyana Diaspora Project.
Strengthen diplomacy with the diaspora via Twiplomacy,
and celebrity diplomacy.
Economic citizenship in exchange for major investments
in industries such as the agro-industry, construction of
medical factories, garbage disposal, manufacturing
plants.
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