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‘Brain Gain’ and ‘Brain Circulation’

Apr 08, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr. Clinton Urling’s letter of April 5, 2009 in the Kaieteur News, with the caption “The concepts of ‘brain gain’ and ‘brain circulation’ remain unclear”.
I note all of Mr. Urlings’s points in his letter.  However, Mr. Urling is only familiar with concept of ‘brain drain’.  Allow me to sensitize Mr. Urling, as well as the public of this ‘fuzzy concept’ called ‘brain gain’ and/or ‘brain circulation.’
First and foremost, brain circulation is counter to the term brain drain. ‘Brain drain’ relates to the ‘loss of brain capital’ which refers to immigration of skilled labour to foreign countries, that is, the gain of intellectual capital of receiving country.
On the other hand, brain circulation refers to the input of those skills and experiences of our overseas-based Guyanese to establish business relationships or to start new companies in Guyana, and at the same time, maintain their social and professional ties to the United States.
We are all aware that for years, professionals and academics leave developing countries in search of a better quality of life in countries of the north.  In the early 1990s, India, China and the Russian Federation saw the migration of some 900,000 skilled professionals to the United States.
Governments in developing countries, especially Guyana, made a lot of effort to use scarce resources to subsidize education and provide specialized training for workers who take all the economic and social benefits with them when they migrate.  I would think that we should take the responsibility of giving back to contribute to nation building.
Migration offers countries accumulated skills and experiences, knowledge, and technology transfer of which we are capable of spreading.
I am glad that Mr. Urling agrees that Government should continue to invest in its people. But the question is, who does the responsibility lie in after so much investment has been made?  Should Guyana resolve to limit its migration numbers?
I want to say that brain circulation or brain gain not only involves Government, but also the people themselves.  It is about making that commitment to give back towards the development of your home country regardless of your location.
The ‘ball is in our court.’ It is up to us ‘the people’ to make brain circulation possible.  There are already a number of overseas-based Guyanese who are contributing towards nation building in Guyana and there is no need for a research to prove this.  We need to begin thinking ‘out of the box’, and start developing networks and assist Government in the developmental process of this country wherever we can. Why sit and wait? Is it a matter of being ‘lackadaisical?’ It is not impossible to link the Guyanese Diaspora companies with our local companies?
I believe that it is the people who have the responsibility to create the conditions for brain circulation and reintegration to promote national development.
This country welcomes anybody who wishes any overseas-based Guyanese to contribute their innovative initiatives for the development of Guyana at anytime.
Marissa Lowden

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