Bill Gates doesn't think Brain Drain impedes development

Steven Edwards of the Canadian National Post wrote on its March 24 issue how Bill Gates, the global leader in philanthropy, strongly believe in freedom of migration. According to Edwards, "Gates himself rejects the notion that this brain drain impedes development in those countries. When the bright sparks get jobs in the West, he says, the money they send home directly helps people who need it." He also quotes some of Gates' testimony before a U.S. Senate committee hearing on strengthening U.S. competitiveness as follows:

"There's this incredible benefit to the country that they come from of the remittances they send back to the country, and that's a huge thing in terms of bootstrapping those economies, letting them send kids back there to school, and having the right nutrition and great things."

In contrary to Gates' view, Edwards adds in his article a different view on the issue from Mary Robinson, a former UN human rights commissioner, who said that the rich countries must start spending more on training their own people, instead of raiding poor nations.

"It is of utmost importance to stop the brain drain."

"In the U.S., where I am currently living, 500,000 nurses and 200,000 doctors are needed by the year 2015," Ms. Robinson said. "Nurses are being imported. The fact of acquiring them cheaply by not having to educate them is unacceptable."

Read full article at "Fast track immigrants with skills, Gates urges. He rejects idea brain drain hurts developing nations".

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