Country Seminar India organised by Centre for International Migration and Development

A seminar titled “Return or Stay?” was held in Bonn from 30 May-1 June 2014, attended by 14 Indian participants from diverse development-related backgrounds such as resource efficiency in architecture & planning, public management, biochemistry, power engineering, renewable energy, global public policy, environmental protection and agricultural food production, wind engineering and environmental and resource management.

Ms Bianca Kunz, Personnel Manager, CIM shared insights into starting a career in Germany, covering aspects such as visa, taxation, applications, among others. Ms Pragya Taneja, Advisor, Migration and Diaspora (CIM), with GIZ in India informed the participants about the CIM Migration for Development Programme which includes the prospect of professional reintegration of returning Indians with employers in India, besides other global programme components such as promotion of Migrant Organisations and Migrants as Entrepreneurs. Ms Taneja also shared India-specific insights on topics such as labour market, economic and political situation, working in India in the area of development cooperation, cultural aspects and challenges facing Indian experts upon return. She offered tips on applications and career entry in India.

The participants also sought individual counselling on working in Germany and India. Furthermore, they benefitted immensely from the lively interaction with a current Returning Expert Ms. Deepthaa Sampath Kumar placed as Project Lead at SELCO Foundation, Bangalore who joined via video conference.

The seminar brought together participants with backgrounds relevant to focus areas of Indo-German development cooperation and provided them a platform for an active exchange with CIM representatives. It also created opportunities for networking and synergy among the participants, especially through group activities.