Migration, remittances and development. State of the art of the discussion and perspectives

Abstract

The flow of remittances from migrants working places to families residing in the countries of origin, has been transformed over the past two decades into a subject of international debate that attracts broad participation of various actors. From early analysis focused on the role these flows of money should play in the development of local communities and, eventually, of national economies. This article discusses various aspects of the discussion on the relationship of remittances and development. It contextualizes the origin and meaning of these flows, giving importance to the historical situation that favors their current importance, there are also discussed different definitions of remittances and the main speeches articulated the link remittances and development, to understand the political elements underlying ideological and it is envisaged that remittances are a means of economic development of communities. It analyzes government programs to support productive projects, especially in Mexico and El Salvador. The literature review reveals that the programs developed are relatively new and is not one of his approaches to the use of remittances as an element in combating poverty, but to link migration with a multidimensional concept of social development.