August 4, 2007 -- While France was once the main and only destination for thousands of Algerian seeking to improve their social conditions in the middle of the last century, today’s Algerian Diaspora is scattered in different corners of the globe.

If the first and second generation of Algerian emigrants were forced to move to the nearest “El Dorado” in order to fulfil the basic needs for a decent life for their families left at home, their descendants are very much motivated by their personal drives.

Scientifically speaking, the same causes engender same results, but sociologically speaking this theory doesn’t stand at all, at least within the Algerian environment. As time went by and generations passed, the Algerian social network underwent a radical change despite the still existing traditions. Until the 1970s the Algerian community established abroad (mostly in France), kept close contact with their homeland and were contributing, even though not investing, in their families' and relatives' welfare.

The uncle “émigré” was awaited and welcomed as a “prophet” each summer by the family members and relatives, receptions were organized in his honour and everybody wanted a part of his “precious” time to listen to his “tales” of life abroad, and on the same occasion to have a present. As for the returning local hero, he was happy and proud of his newly acquired social status. The perfect balance between offer and demand lasted for decades and everybody felt comfortable with the established consensus.

The new breed of emigrants follow their forefathers’ footsteps but for new destinations and not necessarily for the same prospects. With the emergence of new media and technologies and the extraordinary leap in means of transportation, the world shrank and became a small village. Paradoxically, as young Algerians are “fleeing” as far as possible from Algeria looking for other outlets, their visits to their original country grow scarcer and family ties are loosened.

A climate of distrust between the expatriates and their cousins replaced the old mutual respect, the gap widened to become as large as the sea that separates the two communities and lots of prejudices rotted the relationships between them.

What has become of the old sacred union and mutual aid? One common point exists yet, business, it’s the only and surest link between both sides. As long as money talks the immigrants will still be welcomed and cherished by their remote cousins. So goes the old saying - “money doesn’t stink”.