The 27th Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture was recently held, featuring Dr. Kristin Surak, Associate Professor of Political Sociology at the London School of Economics and author of The Golden Passport: Global Mobility for Millionaires. Dr. Surak delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the topic “Development by Design: Leveraging Citizenship for Economic Resilience in Small Island Developing States.”

Drawing from a decade of field research across six continents, Dr. Surak examined the rise and impact of Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, highlighting their growing importance in regions such as the Caribbean and reasons for their demand such as increased mobility meaning the ability to travel more freely without the use of a visa.

It was noted that while CBI programs provide crucial revenue, up to 60% in some nations, they also pose risks of dependency and scrutiny. She called for greater transparency, strong due diligence, and regional cooperation, emphasizing that well-managed CBI can strengthen economic resilience and diversification in small island states.

Dr. Surak gave her thoughts on the future of the world and the role that CBI programs will play:

Dr. Kristin Surak.