WASHINGTON: A world conference on the “brain drain” problem was proposed yesterday [March 6] by Senator Edward Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts.

Senator Kennedy opened hearings as Chairman of the Judiciary Sub-committee on immigration to inquire into international migration of talent and skills.

Senator Kennedy said that the brain drain is gaining momentum and generating political controversy and misunderstanding.

A British Embassy representative in the audience took notes as Senator Kennedy added, “It is now threatening our relations with several Governments and credibility of our national objective to assist development of other nations through foreign aid and other channels”.

Some questions the sub-committee will attack are: Are remedies needed to curb brain drain? Where should those remedies be applied and by whom? What should be the policy of the United States? What is the exact nature of brain drain? What effects does it have on countries of origin?

Senator Kennedy said: “The brain drain issue is not exclusively an American problem; it is a world problem. And it is festering with little joint concern and action within the international community. For this reason, I want to suggest that our Government take initiative — preferably through the United Nations — in calling for an international conference of interested Governments to explore in depth the international migration of talent and skills and problem of brain drain from less developed areas of the world.”

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Dublin] Hundreds of farmers manned the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland yesterday [March 6] to prevent agricultural produce crossing either way.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2017