FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Globalisation And Migration
Arrival Of The New Cosmopolitans

By M. R. Josse

THE focus of the latest issue of Deutschland magazine is migration. It deals mainly with its twin dimensions – immigration and emigration – as applicable to Germany.

PRIORITY AREA: In well-researched write-ups on the multiple aspects of the phenomenon of migration by a bevy of journalists, academics and politicians, Deutschland also offers dollops of valuable information/insights to a wider international audience.

Here an attempt is made to highlight a few notable ideas on the topic for two principal reasons: one, that little or no research worth the name has been conducted on the subject in this country despite its obvious politico-economic and even social-cultural importance; and two, because both immigration and emigration are becoming increasingly familiar aspects of Nepalese life today.

It is the hope that this modest endeavour might spark greater official, academic and media interest in what should be high priority if largely virgin public policy territory.

What needs to be noted is that people have been leaving their homes since immemorial, sometimes for economic reasons and at others to escape the wrath of oppressive or bigoted regimes.

Going even further, it can be said that migration of people has, since historical times, constituted an essentials element of the human condition since homo sapiens extended their reach all over the world precisely via migration.

Today, as the gap in per capita income between citizens of poor and affluent countries continues to expand continually, a powerful impetus has been provided for more and more people from the developing world to leave their countries in search for better job and related opportunities abroad.

Although such a process will probably continue into the foreseeable future as well, as most are aware, the United States remains one of the favourite migration destinations for Europeans, Asians and Latin Americans.

At this juncture one might note that, as per conventional wisdom, Nepalese emigration today is believed to be mainly targeted on the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

In the past, when it was said that the sun never set on the British Empire, population outflows from Nepal were directed to northeastern India, Bhutan, Myanmar with also a sprinkling to Singapore, the Fiji islands and, even, South Africa.

HISTORICAL NOTE: What must not go unmentioned is the much larger inflow of migrants into Nepal over several generations from neighbouring India, aided generously, among other factors, by the long and open border between them.

Earlier, during the period of Mughal rule in India a large, if undocumented, number of north Indians, including Rajputs, chose to make Nepal their home fleeing persecution – or worse – at the hands of the new rulers of Hindustan.

On a more universal level, today it can be safely asserted that the globalisation of the world’s economy has translated into an increasing number of highly qualified men and women working internationally in management, science, engineering and the arts.

They move with their families from job to job and, often, from continent to continent, as well.

One direct result of the migration spurred by globalisation is what G. Pascal Zachary calls the "new cosmopolitans" even as openness towards other cultures has now become a decisive competitive advantage. Says Zachary, an American who lives/works in London: "In our globalised economy it has become important to develop creativity and innovation through internal diversity."

The author of "The Global Me" says much sought-after international specialists are characterised by "roots" and "wings" meaning, in effect, that while they value their "roots" they wish also to take "wings" to foreign climes occasionally.

Zachary’s interesting thesis is: "In today’s New Economy, countries that rely only on their domestic talent –- and do not view immigrants as a lever of riches –- are destined to fall behind other nations, both economically and socially."

He also argues that "advanced nations are engaged in a race to gain access to talented people in much the same way that countries in an earlier era fought for control or natural resources or strategic positions."

In a knowledge economy, he stresses, "ideas are the basic sources of value and new ideas –- valuable ideas often arise from the unexpected, the collision of different viewpoints. And this happens through the mixing of people."

However, he cautions that the mixing of people from different lands must be managed, or it will lead to social disorder. "When well-managed, though, mixing of ethnic, racial and national groups creates the soil out of which innovation springs."

He continues, thus: "To some degree, this is the old story of supply and demand. Without new sources of talent, a country’s capacity to innovate shrinks. While some of this innovative talent can be home-grown, the world technological and industrial pacesetters increasingly rely on the efforts of non-natives."

ROOTS AND WINGS: To be sure, nations can close their doors to talented outsiders but that puts their prosperity at risk, as the Germans, for one, have now realised.

What must also be pointed out is that the nature of immigration has changed. Thus, many people no longer seek a new home, when they move from one country to another, but rather wish to maintain old ties (roots) even as they forge new ones (wings).

Though it is not possible for Nepal to adopt migration policies that have been adopted by larger, affluent countries, greater thought needs be given to encouraging Nepalese talent to also benefit from the new cosmopolitanism spurred by globalisation.

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