Helen Dempster
@helen-dempster.bsky.social
Policy Fellow + Co-Director @CGDev.org | Making migration work for everyone #LetThemWork #WonkComms | Ex. ODI Global + The IGC | Views all me | 🥝
Always love playing around with the #CDI2025 data. This year, Germany scores a whopping 100% on the migration indicator, with Czechia, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Sweden rounding out the top 10. The UK all the way down in 22, and the US further behind...
www.cgdev.org/cdi#/
www.cgdev.org/cdi#/
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Always love playing around with the #CDI2025 data. This year, Germany scores a whopping 100% on the migration indicator, with Czechia, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Sweden rounding out the top 10. The UK all the way down in 22, and the US further behind...
www.cgdev.org/cdi#/
www.cgdev.org/cdi#/
Really useful new paper by Dany Bahar @cgdev.org. Venezuelans comprise 2.5% of the population in Ecuador but only 1.3% of detentions. Most crimes are also non-violent and economically motivated, given many Venezuelans lack legal status.
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Data Against Fear: What the Numbers Say About Venezuelan Migrants and Crime in Ecuador
To devise and design all immigration policy solely through the lens of crime—particularly as part of broader efforts to combat gangs—is misguided and likely to be ineffective. Instead, policy should f...
www.cgdev.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Really useful new paper by Dany Bahar @cgdev.org. Venezuelans comprise 2.5% of the population in Ecuador but only 1.3% of detentions. Most crimes are also non-violent and economically motivated, given many Venezuelans lack legal status.
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
The International Development Youth Forum (IDYF) has opened their call for participants! Seeking young people (<30) interested in heading to Tokyo in March to discuss migration and social cohesion.
Deadline is December 6: idyforum.org/idyf-2026-ap...
Deadline is December 6: idyforum.org/idyf-2026-ap...
IDYF 2026 Application - IDYF（International Development Youth Forum）
What is IDYF？ Purpose Design Our Future Mission 1 Become the placeto encounter ner worlds 2 Become the centerto produce innovative ideas 3 Become the pratformto connect with worldwide youths IDYF is a...
idyforum.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
The International Development Youth Forum (IDYF) has opened their call for participants! Seeking young people (<30) interested in heading to Tokyo in March to discuss migration and social cohesion.
Deadline is December 6: idyforum.org/idyf-2026-ap...
Deadline is December 6: idyforum.org/idyf-2026-ap...
Excited to announce that we have now updated our @cgdev.org Global Skill Partnership website (cgdev.org/bettermigrat...) and summarised the changes in a new blog w/ Ahmed Iqbal.
www.cgdev.org/blog/next-ge...
www.cgdev.org/blog/next-ge...
The Next Generation of Global Skill Partnerships: How the Model’s Evolved to Meet Current Challenges
Building on previous pilots—including the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), Youth, Employment, and Skills in Kosovo(YES), and Pilot Project Addressing Labour Shortages Through Innovative La...
www.cgdev.org
October 28, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Excited to announce that we have now updated our @cgdev.org Global Skill Partnership website (cgdev.org/bettermigrat...) and summarised the changes in a new blog w/ Ahmed Iqbal.
www.cgdev.org/blog/next-ge...
www.cgdev.org/blog/next-ge...
The #UN80 reform process is taking a hard look at the mandates of different UN agencies. But the way donors fund them, reinforces those mandates. This has to change.
New @cgdev.org blog w/ Shona Warren & Rose Worden.
www.cgdev.org/blog/donors-...
New @cgdev.org blog w/ Shona Warren & Rose Worden.
www.cgdev.org/blog/donors-...
Donors Must Shift How They Fund the UN
UN80 has three workstreams: internal efficiency and effectiveness; mandate implementation; and structural changes. All have reform proposals which were discussed during UNGA; Member States will be fur...
www.cgdev.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The #UN80 reform process is taking a hard look at the mandates of different UN agencies. But the way donors fund them, reinforces those mandates. This has to change.
New @cgdev.org blog w/ Shona Warren & Rose Worden.
www.cgdev.org/blog/donors-...
New @cgdev.org blog w/ Shona Warren & Rose Worden.
www.cgdev.org/blog/donors-...
Reposted by Helen Dempster
The US has adopted a range of foreign economic policies with negative impacts on the rest of the world.
CGD experts assess the combined impact of these changes, disproportionately hurting poorer nations, straining US alliances, and more:
https://bit.ly/3IOT5sU
CGD experts assess the combined impact of these changes, disproportionately hurting poorer nations, straining US alliances, and more:
https://bit.ly/3IOT5sU
Who Bears the Burden? Tracking the Global Impact of Recent US Foreign Policy Shifts
Since January, the United States has adopted a range of foreign economic policies with negative impacts on the rest of the world, including higher tariffs on exports, taxes on remittances, and reducti...
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The US has adopted a range of foreign economic policies with negative impacts on the rest of the world.
CGD experts assess the combined impact of these changes, disproportionately hurting poorer nations, straining US alliances, and more:
https://bit.ly/3IOT5sU
CGD experts assess the combined impact of these changes, disproportionately hurting poorer nations, straining US alliances, and more:
https://bit.ly/3IOT5sU
Reposted by Helen Dempster
This is a great little blog. The third point, on 'Immigration as an Industrial Strategy' ('not just using immigration to fill labor gaps, but using it strategically to catalyze new industries') is very relevant to current discussions around workforce for the green transition.
In today's blog, I discuss 3 ways for international migration to be part of a structural transformation policy: 1) as an industry itself; 2) training people abroad in the skills to develop a new industry at home; and 3) through immigration (eg Start-up Chile) blogs.worldbank.org/en/impacteva...
International Migration as a Structural Transformation Policy
blogs.worldbank.org
September 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This is a great little blog. The third point, on 'Immigration as an Industrial Strategy' ('not just using immigration to fill labor gaps, but using it strategically to catalyze new industries') is very relevant to current discussions around workforce for the green transition.
Reposted by Helen Dempster
🚨New policy note! 🚨- by myself and @helen-dempster.bsky.social.
In short: The UK's (green) industrial policy needs migration for it to succeed. The UK government's recent migration policy flip-flopping harms investment certainty, and is the result of incoherency between policy areas.
In short: The UK's (green) industrial policy needs migration for it to succeed. The UK government's recent migration policy flip-flopping harms investment certainty, and is the result of incoherency between policy areas.
Labour Migration and the UK’s Industrial Strategy: The Need for Coherence
If the UK is to meet its green transition goals, it will need to use immigration policy.
www.cgdev.org
August 5, 2025 at 3:51 PM
🚨New policy note! 🚨- by myself and @helen-dempster.bsky.social.
In short: The UK's (green) industrial policy needs migration for it to succeed. The UK government's recent migration policy flip-flopping harms investment certainty, and is the result of incoherency between policy areas.
In short: The UK's (green) industrial policy needs migration for it to succeed. The UK government's recent migration policy flip-flopping harms investment certainty, and is the result of incoherency between policy areas.
We @cgdev.org are excited to be part of the #GreenHorizons platform, connecting 10k refugees & host community members with jobs critical to the green transition. Read more in my new blog w/ Johann Harnoss & David Manicom.
www.cgdev.org/blog/green-h...
www.cgdev.org/blog/green-h...
Green Horizons: Supporting the Green Transition by Expanding Safe Routes for Refugees
Green Horizons is a new global platform launched in June 2025 to connect refugees and host community members with green transition jobs through training and migration pathways. Supported by CGD and over 20 partners, the platform aims to scale employer-led solutions to meet labour shortages and deliver on climate goals.
www.cgdev.org
July 21, 2025 at 9:39 AM
We @cgdev.org are excited to be part of the #GreenHorizons platform, connecting 10k refugees & host community members with jobs critical to the green transition. Read more in my new blog w/ Johann Harnoss & David Manicom.
www.cgdev.org/blog/green-h...
www.cgdev.org/blog/green-h...
Reposted by Helen Dempster
Tomorrow! Join CGD's @samhuckstep.bsky.social for a @carnegieendowment.org event on the increasing importance of remittances to global climate resilience.
Register:
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Register:
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Remittances and the Climate Finance Crisis
A conversation about remittances and where they fit in the climate finance crisis.
carnegieendowment.org
July 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Tomorrow! Join CGD's @samhuckstep.bsky.social for a @carnegieendowment.org event on the increasing importance of remittances to global climate resilience.
Register:
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Register:
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
The remittance tax in the "Big, Beautiful Bill" is down to 1%, but countries of origin still stand to lose billions of dollars every year, especially because the tax now also applies to US citizens.
New @cgdev.org blog w/ @samhuckstep.bsky.social & Charley Ward 👇
www.cgdev.org/blog/even-1-...
New @cgdev.org blog w/ @samhuckstep.bsky.social & Charley Ward 👇
www.cgdev.org/blog/even-1-...
www.cgdev.org
July 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The remittance tax in the "Big, Beautiful Bill" is down to 1%, but countries of origin still stand to lose billions of dollars every year, especially because the tax now also applies to US citizens.
New @cgdev.org blog w/ @samhuckstep.bsky.social & Charley Ward 👇
www.cgdev.org/blog/even-1-...
New @cgdev.org blog w/ @samhuckstep.bsky.social & Charley Ward 👇
www.cgdev.org/blog/even-1-...
Glad to see that the remittance tax included in Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" has been reduced to 1%. Kudos to everyone working on this issue! 👏
Read @CGDev's analysis of the impact of the tax: www.cgdev.org/blog/which-c...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...
Read @CGDev's analysis of the impact of the tax: www.cgdev.org/blog/which-c...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...
June 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Glad to see that the remittance tax included in Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" has been reduced to 1%. Kudos to everyone working on this issue! 👏
Read @CGDev's analysis of the impact of the tax: www.cgdev.org/blog/which-c...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...
Read @CGDev's analysis of the impact of the tax: www.cgdev.org/blog/which-c...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...
For many countries, the impact of Trump's 3.5% remittance tax will be even worse than US aid cuts. Really glad to have the opportunity to highlight this fact in a tribune for @la-croix.com, based on our @cgdev.org analysis (www.cgdev.org/blog/which-c...).
www.la-croix.com/a-vif/la-tax...
www.la-croix.com/a-vif/la-tax...
« La taxe de Trump sur les transferts de fonds des migrants est encore pire que l’arrêt de l’aide américaine »
Le 16 juin dernier, le Sénat américain a dévoilé sa version de la « belle et grande loi » budgétaire voulue par Donald Trump. Celle-ci inclut une taxe sur les transferts de fonds des migrants qui pour...
www.la-croix.com
June 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
For many countries, the impact of Trump's 3.5% remittance tax will be even worse than US aid cuts. Really glad to have the opportunity to highlight this fact in a tribune for @la-croix.com, based on our @cgdev.org analysis (www.cgdev.org/blog/which-c...).
www.la-croix.com/a-vif/la-tax...
www.la-croix.com/a-vif/la-tax...
Refugee funding is being slashed - how do we meet as much need as possible with less money?
New @cgdev.org blog by myself, @thomasginn.bsky.social & Cindy Huang proposes: (1) expand labor market access; (2) use aid to offset costs; and (3) avoid blocking progress.
www.cgdev.org/blog/acceler...
New @cgdev.org blog by myself, @thomasginn.bsky.social & Cindy Huang proposes: (1) expand labor market access; (2) use aid to offset costs; and (3) avoid blocking progress.
www.cgdev.org/blog/acceler...
Accelerating Refugee Inclusion Amidst Devastating Aid Cuts
The Trump Administration’s elimination of USAID, combined with announcements of further cuts, will have “immediate and devastating” impacts on refugees and the countries that host them. We need to fin...
www.cgdev.org
June 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Refugee funding is being slashed - how do we meet as much need as possible with less money?
New @cgdev.org blog by myself, @thomasginn.bsky.social & Cindy Huang proposes: (1) expand labor market access; (2) use aid to offset costs; and (3) avoid blocking progress.
www.cgdev.org/blog/acceler...
New @cgdev.org blog by myself, @thomasginn.bsky.social & Cindy Huang proposes: (1) expand labor market access; (2) use aid to offset costs; and (3) avoid blocking progress.
www.cgdev.org/blog/acceler...
We've added some exciting speakers to the line-up for our @cgdev.org + Fragomen event on "Using Labour Migration to Support Europe's Green Transition". Come hear from RWE, @ec.europa.eu (DG EMPL) + @giz.de!
June 23 | 8.00-9.00am ET | 1.00-2.00pm BST
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
June 23 | 8.00-9.00am ET | 1.00-2.00pm BST
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
Using Labour Migration to Support Europe’s Green Transition
During this event, experts from Fragomen, the Center for Global Development, government, and industry will address key questions aimed at resolving the constraints on Europe’s Green Transition and ide...
www.cgdev.org
June 13, 2025 at 9:23 AM
We've added some exciting speakers to the line-up for our @cgdev.org + Fragomen event on "Using Labour Migration to Support Europe's Green Transition". Come hear from RWE, @ec.europa.eu (DG EMPL) + @giz.de!
June 23 | 8.00-9.00am ET | 1.00-2.00pm BST
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
June 23 | 8.00-9.00am ET | 1.00-2.00pm BST
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
The World Bank, @cgdev.org, and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy #ABCDE Conference is coming up!
The migration panel (feat. Dany Bahar, Çağlar Özden, Wendy Cunningham, and Caroline Theoharides) is on July 15 from 11.15-12.45 ET — mark your diaries...
www.cgdev.org/event/annual...
The migration panel (feat. Dany Bahar, Çağlar Özden, Wendy Cunningham, and Caroline Theoharides) is on July 15 from 11.15-12.45 ET — mark your diaries...
www.cgdev.org/event/annual...
Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics 2025: Development in the Age of Populism
Bringing together some of the world’s leading economic thinkers, the conference will help identify the best way forward—with deep dives on key topics such as artificial intelligence, migration, nutrit...
www.cgdev.org
June 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The World Bank, @cgdev.org, and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy #ABCDE Conference is coming up!
The migration panel (feat. Dany Bahar, Çağlar Özden, Wendy Cunningham, and Caroline Theoharides) is on July 15 from 11.15-12.45 ET — mark your diaries...
www.cgdev.org/event/annual...
The migration panel (feat. Dany Bahar, Çağlar Özden, Wendy Cunningham, and Caroline Theoharides) is on July 15 from 11.15-12.45 ET — mark your diaries...
www.cgdev.org/event/annual...
Great new @science.org article by the rockstars of development economics looks at the evidence on the impact of skilled emigration on origin countries. TL;DR, it can be positive, but we need a *lot* more work in this area!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Brain drain or brain gain? Effects of high-skilled international emigration on origin countries
How does emigration of highly educated citizens of low-income countries to high-income countries affect the economies of the origin countries? The direct effect is “brain drain”—a decrease in the coun...
www.science.org
June 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Great new @science.org article by the rockstars of development economics looks at the evidence on the impact of skilled emigration on origin countries. TL;DR, it can be positive, but we need a *lot* more work in this area!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Helen Dempster
How does high-skilled emigration affect countries of origin? I summarize our recent Science paper, &draw out lessons from where we need nuance (not all high-skilled is the same, & most studies lump together), what we don't know (especially how to do better policy) blogs.worldbank.org/en/impacteva...
How does high-skilled emigration affect countries of origin? A new review highlights what we’ve learned and what we still don’t know
blogs.worldbank.org
May 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
How does high-skilled emigration affect countries of origin? I summarize our recent Science paper, &draw out lessons from where we need nuance (not all high-skilled is the same, & most studies lump together), what we don't know (especially how to do better policy) blogs.worldbank.org/en/impacteva...
Excited to see our @cgdev.org research featured in this excellent @nytimes.com article about the devastating effect of the US' remittance tax on Africa, especially coming after extensive aid cuts.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/w...
Trump Targets Key Lifeline for Africa: Money Sent Home by Immigrants
www.nytimes.com
June 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Excited to see our @cgdev.org research featured in this excellent @nytimes.com article about the devastating effect of the US' remittance tax on Africa, especially coming after extensive aid cuts.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/w...
Without an increase in skilled workers, the green transition in Europe won't happen. Can a creative combination of training & migration help plug the gap? Join experts from @cgdev.org, Fragomen, & RWE for this exciting webinar: 23 June, 2.00-3.00pm CET.
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
Using Labour Migration to Support Europe’s Green Transition
During this event, experts from Fragomen, the Center for Global Development, government, and industry will address key questions, including: Where is the greatest demand for workers and what types of ...
www.cgdev.org
June 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Without an increase in skilled workers, the green transition in Europe won't happen. Can a creative combination of training & migration help plug the gap? Join experts from @cgdev.org, Fragomen, & RWE for this exciting webinar: 23 June, 2.00-3.00pm CET.
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
www.cgdev.org/event/using-...
The World Bank has released their IDA21 plans, with the $2.4bn Window for Host Communities and Refugees now part of a broader regional window. In this new @cgdev.org blog, @thomasginn.bsky.social and I spell out the good, the bad, and where to go from here.
www.cgdev.org/blog/window-...
www.cgdev.org/blog/window-...
The Window for Host Communities and Refugees Survives, but What Does the Future Hold Under GROW?
Recently, the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) released their plans for IDA21, including for the Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR), now placed under a new umbrella...
www.cgdev.org
May 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The World Bank has released their IDA21 plans, with the $2.4bn Window for Host Communities and Refugees now part of a broader regional window. In this new @cgdev.org blog, @thomasginn.bsky.social and I spell out the good, the bad, and where to go from here.
www.cgdev.org/blog/window-...
www.cgdev.org/blog/window-...
In 2019, Germany and the Philippines established the world’s first nursing Global Skill Partnership. This blog, with colleagues The World Bank and @giz.de, explores the implementation of this partnership, lessons learned, and next steps.
www.cgdev.org/blog/hundred...
www.cgdev.org/blog/hundred...
Hundreds of Nurses Trained Through Philippines-Germany Global Skill Partnership
In 2019, Germany and the Philippines established the world’s first nursing Global Skill Partnership (GSP). In a GSP, the destination country pays for the training of much-needed workers within the cou...
www.cgdev.org
May 19, 2025 at 11:41 AM
In 2019, Germany and the Philippines established the world’s first nursing Global Skill Partnership. This blog, with colleagues The World Bank and @giz.de, explores the implementation of this partnership, lessons learned, and next steps.
www.cgdev.org/blog/hundred...
www.cgdev.org/blog/hundred...
Reposted by Helen Dempster
Remittances have long been a lifeline to low-income countries, often exceeding aid and foreign direct investment combined.
After aid cuts, their importance has increased- sometimes markedly.
In a new @cgdev.org blog, @helen-dempster.bsky.social and I explore how their benefits can be maximised.
After aid cuts, their importance has increased- sometimes markedly.
In a new @cgdev.org blog, @helen-dempster.bsky.social and I explore how their benefits can be maximised.
After Aid Cuts, Here’s How to Make the Most Out of Remittances
Explore how remittances could help reduce the impacts of aid cuts and support broader economic development goals.
www.cgdev.org
May 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Remittances have long been a lifeline to low-income countries, often exceeding aid and foreign direct investment combined.
After aid cuts, their importance has increased- sometimes markedly.
In a new @cgdev.org blog, @helen-dempster.bsky.social and I explore how their benefits can be maximised.
After aid cuts, their importance has increased- sometimes markedly.
In a new @cgdev.org blog, @helen-dempster.bsky.social and I explore how their benefits can be maximised.
@cgdev.org's Migration & Displacement Team are hiring a summer intern this year, to focus on legal labour migration. 8 weeks, paid, London based. Please apply!
(Plus there are other cool internships in global health & climate finance!)
centerforglobaldevelopment.applytojob.com/apply/Obth6A...
(Plus there are other cool internships in global health & climate finance!)
centerforglobaldevelopment.applytojob.com/apply/Obth6A...
Summer Internship 2025 - CGD Europe - Center for Global Development - Career Page
Apply to Summer Internship 2025 - CGD Europe at Center for Global Development in London, London, United Kingdom.
centerforglobaldevelopment.applytojob.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM
@cgdev.org's Migration & Displacement Team are hiring a summer intern this year, to focus on legal labour migration. 8 weeks, paid, London based. Please apply!
(Plus there are other cool internships in global health & climate finance!)
centerforglobaldevelopment.applytojob.com/apply/Obth6A...
(Plus there are other cool internships in global health & climate finance!)
centerforglobaldevelopment.applytojob.com/apply/Obth6A...
For decades, remittances have outstripped aid. Amidst aid cuts, we need to maximize their impact on development by reducing sending costs; leveraging the diaspora; and channelling migration opportunities.
New @cgdev.org blog by myself & @samhuckstep.bsky.social.
www.cgdev.org/blog/after-a...
New @cgdev.org blog by myself & @samhuckstep.bsky.social.
www.cgdev.org/blog/after-a...
After Aid Cuts, Here’s How to Make the Most Out of Remittances
Explore how remittances could help reduce the impacts of aid cuts and support broader economic development goals.
www.cgdev.org
May 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
For decades, remittances have outstripped aid. Amidst aid cuts, we need to maximize their impact on development by reducing sending costs; leveraging the diaspora; and channelling migration opportunities.
New @cgdev.org blog by myself & @samhuckstep.bsky.social.
www.cgdev.org/blog/after-a...
New @cgdev.org blog by myself & @samhuckstep.bsky.social.
www.cgdev.org/blog/after-a...