This article, which was prepared for the 1999 World Conference on Science, describes how use of the international diaspora provides a new and promising strategy for dealing with the brain drain issue in the context of a global knowledge society.

The authors describe various intellectual diaspora networks — which use their expatriate experts, scientists and engineers for development at home — and detail 'what makes a good network'. They say that the apparent success of such networks reinforces the notion that previous attempts to address the brain drain by preventing or regulating flows of skills were based on misplaced theoretical assumptions.

Various lessons and policy implications are offered, with the aim that these are used to guide the efficient use and development of science and technology diasporas.

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