OM organized a preparatory workshop on 9 - 11 April 2001 in Libreville, Gabon, to elaborate the elements of a new Africa-wide programme, Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA). This programme aims to build human resource capacity in sectors key to African development through the transfer of knowledge, know-how or expertise of African nationals in the diaspora. The main aim of the workshop was to bring together the different governmental, private sector and donor stakeholders, and obtain their official and collective support, and commitment from all interested targeted countries from the outset of project development. While the workshop was planned to involve up to 18 African countries, the resultant MIDA programme is intended to bring continent-wide benefits.