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Non-formal (additional) Aid resources

“Do not eat on your own”

“ Their presence in the West places them in a better position to impact positively on the overall
development in Africa. From overseas they are able to supply and transmit many benefits to

Africa. The benefits that Africa now gains from its Diaspora in the rich West and elsewhere are
not restricted to the remittance transfers that have become the lifeline to many of Africa's poor.
African Diaspora also helps set up private (voluntary) development projects as well as start-up

local businesses. In addition to all these benefits, the African Diaspora transfers valuable
intellectual resources and new political ideas which are profoundly reshaping the political

dispensation on the continent. They also transfer new technological ideas and valuable
practical experiences that could improve the effectiveness of doing business in Africa.
Moreover, the African Diaspora because of their strategic position forge links with established

humanitarian, political, economic and business networks in the West that brings benefits to
those in Africa lacking access to such influential networks overseas. Furthermore, African

Diaspora because of their presence at the centres of global decision-making in the West often
engage in campaigning and lobbying activities advocating changes in donor development

policy towards Africa. “
"African Diaspora and African Development" 486
Background paper for AfroNeth (December 2003)
Dr. A.A. Mohamoud
SAHAN wetenschappelijk onderzoek & adviesbureau

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UK's Retirees

In our mature UK economy, our older people do not just live longer, they remain active for

many more years than was the case.

The UK’s retired population share a variety of skills blended with a lifetime of work
experience. But once into retirement, most lack an outlet for that valuable skill and

experience. Our health professionals keep stressing the need for older people to remain

active, to not think of themselves ‘being old’. But the formal UK International Aid
programme makes little or no use of these people.

And the UK tax regime is such that pensioners who live outside the UK are in danger
of having their state pension ‘frozen’ unless they live in certain countries.

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“ For many people, being semi-retired is preferable to being fully retired. Reasons vary from the
oft-cited need for supplemental income to just wanting to remain busy. Whatever the

explanation, a significant number of retirees plan to work part-time after they retire.
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