and raises aspirations. Travelling across continents is costly, while education lifts expectations and technology such as TV and computers offers a glimpse of wealthier lifestyles. As Dr de Haas points out, this is why the heaviest immigration come from countries such as Mexico, Morocco and the Philippines -- hardly the world's poorest places. MYTH 10: Developing nations are desperate to be saved Overseas aid began as a political stunt and remains a political stunt, used to prove politicians have a heart. But the more I travel around Africa and Asia, the more criticism I hear of how the constant emphasis on aid and endless negative imagery demeans developing nations. This is worsened by the associated boom in the highly competitive charity sector -- as one British official said: 'If you don't have starving babies, you don't get the money.' It is noticeable the most passionate saviours of the world are Western pop stars and politicians, while the most trenchant critics come from developing nations. 'The premise is that Africans lack the capacity to save themselves and must rely on the kindness of strangers,' said Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa. Last month saw the first steps taken in the creation of an African free trade area that will stretch from Cape Town to Cairo and straddle 26 countries. It also saw the largest amount raised yet for a private equity fund targeting the continent, a reflection of the fast pace of growth in much of the region. I don't