Diaspora Development

"Give Us Your Best and Brightest: The Global Hunt for Talent and Its Impact on the Developing World" by Devesh Kapur and John McHale, the book recently mentioned in the New York Times article, illustrates best the multi-dimensional issues surrounding brain drain in a way that breaks us out of the simplistic thinking of having polarized views, either the laissez-faire attitude of "brain circulation will happen" or protectionist "globalization is damaging the local economy" answers. It is exactly the complexity of brain drain effects that makes this go beyond a black-or-white stand, and very different from issues of poverty, environment, human rights, health or equality.

Last night, I attended a panel discussion sponsored by the ANZA Technology Network and ADVANCE.

This event was of interest to me for two reasons: first, because in the Philippines, where VC access is very very hard, the option of bootstrapping becomes the necessary choice for technopreneurs, and second, because ADVANCE is a group of Australian professionals in the United States, which, for me, is an good model for diaspora unity.

I just came from a meeting with Ben Menor, who runs the Northside Community Center. He is a well-connected Filipino who sometimes advises Philippine government (including the president) on economic issues, academic and entrepreneurial development.

Yesterday evening, I met with one of the Executive Committees in the Filipino Business Alliance, Ms. Eliza Duerme. Prior to meeting her, I had the impression that the FBA is a well-organized group with large membership from key people in the valley.

There have been a few changes in direction since I posted the last entry.

1. Collaboration with BGN.ORG

After discovering that BGN.ORG (Brain Gain Network - http://www.bgn.org - also based in the Philippines) has completed a portal that does similar to what I intended to do, I contacted them and expressed intention to work together. Instead of building a new site, I will be building a couple of modules that connects to BGN.ORG that will:

SILICON GULF aims to be a microcosmic pilot model of the Silicon Valley phenomenon, where leadership in IT innovation and creativity is evidenced by the startups that flourish in the area.

To meet this objective, the project will build and maintain a dynamic relationship between the private sector, the government and the academe, piloted in Davao City, Philippines.