Migrant Associations as Actors in Local Development? A National Event-History Analysis in Burkina Faso

Cris Beauchemin, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Bruno D. Schoumaker, Université Catholique de Louvain

Social and environmental consequences of migration are often studied through the lens of destination areas both because this is where (1) population pressure constrains local resources; and (2) social and economic integration problems arise. However, migration also affects sending areas. Depopulation is often cited as a major issue. And there is still a debate on the impact of individual remittances on departure places. Migration can also have an impact through collective organizations. But the role of migrant associations has received very little interest in the literature on the consequences of migration on sending areas. In this context, our paper aims at assessing if migrant associations can be actors in the development of their community of origin, and thus in social, economic and environmental changes. We will provide qualitative analyses and quantitative results using a national community survey carried out in Burkina Faso (West Africa) in 2002.