Diasporic homecomings to the Kurdistan region of Iraq: Pre- and post-return experiences shaping motivations to re-return

Başer, Bahar; Toivanen, Mari

doi:10.1177/1468796818757265

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…While so much attention has been given to how diasporans and returnees can engage in homeland development activities, little research has been carried out on how locals who stayed during the conflict actually perceive such interventions (Rock, 2017, p.205). As previous research shows, ethnic ties do not necessarily bring a feeling of shared destiny and future (Rock, 2017;Baser and Toivanen, 2018). Diasporas can only contribute fully when there is harmony between the homeland policies, expectations and capabilities of both sides, and also when there is a working relationship between the locals and the diasporans/returnees.…”

Section: Challenges Of Diasporic Homecomingsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Engaging Diasporas in Development and State-Building: The Role of the Kurdish Diaspora and Returnees in Rebuilding the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Başer

2018

Ethnopolitics

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Diasporas can play an important part in contemporary social processes, either via remittances, investment, skills transfer, diaspora philanthropy or political influence. Currently, many states establish diaspora ministries or sub-committees under existing institutions to connect with their diaspora and tap their resources for development in the homeland. This paper contributes to this literature on the diaspora-homeland nexus by focusing on the Iraqi Kurdish diaspora and returnees. The paper analyzes the intricacies of diaspora and returnee involvement in state-building in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by discussing their capabilities and expectations as well as the tensions between the diaspora and the homeland.

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Section: Challenges Of Diasporic Homecomingsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Engaging Diasporas in Development and State-Building: The Role of the Kurdish Diaspora and Returnees in Rebuilding the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Başer

2018

Ethnopolitics

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“…diasporic homecoming). Platí to v případě Kurdistánu [Baser, Toivanen 2019], ale i Arménie [Pawlowska 2017], především při návratu ze zemí s vyšší životní úrovní. V těchto případech může jistý nesoulad s očekáváním a rea li tou přispět k tomu, že navrátilci zvažují návrat zpět do původní cílové země, takže dochází ke dvojitému návratu.…”

Section: Návratová Migrace a Transnacionalismusunclassified

Transnationalism and the permanence of return in Armenian return migration

Macková¹

2022

Czech Sociological Review

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Transnationalism and diaspora are concepts that are often intertwined but nonetheless differ. This article examines the link between transnationalism and integration processes among return migrants from the Armenian diaspora and examines the role social networks play in integration in Armenia. Returnees to Armenia can be divided into those who have returned from the Armenian diaspora (second and subsequent generations of migrants) and those who emigrated from Armenia and decided to return. This is reflected in the literature as a distinction between the 'old' and the 'new' Armenian diaspora, the latter having emerged in the 1990s. Before returning, both groups maintained ties with people in Armenia and may differ only by the extent and frequency of use of these ties. These ties can then accompany them when they return to Armenia and help them to (re-)integrate. The integration of returnees has its own specifics, compared to the integration of migrants, and may not be as simple as it might seem. This article focuses on the transnational ties of 23 migrants of Armenian descent who returned to Armenia after a long time abroad and draws on original research on return migration in Armenia conducted in 2016 and 2018. Semi-structured interviews with returnees revealed that their participation in the labour market is instrumental to their integration into mainstream society, and their work may involve transnational activities. The article shows the different opportunities that weak and strong ties provide returnees and that may facilitate their integration. Weak ties on a local level are crucial for returnees to be able to reintegrate and fully participate in life in Armenia. The article aims to understand the return strategy as one of the migration options that may or may not be permanent. A return may be followed by re-migration, under certain conditions and if obstacles to sustainable reintegration, and the article also explores the motivations for re-migration.

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“…Iraqi Kurds have a long history of discrimination in the country, and of migration and life in diaspora as a response to the difficult situation (e.g. Wahlbeck 2002;Baser and Toivanen 2018). Yet as the country's situation deteriorated and the lack of trust in the government faded, also many Arabs, who had led comfortable and wealthy lives, had to flee the country.…”

Section: Life In Iraq: Dreaming Of Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Imagination, Hope and the Migrant Journey: Iraqi Asylum Seekers Looking for a Future in Europe

Koikkalainen

Kyle

Nykänen

2019

International Migration

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Europe received an unprecedented number of asylum seekers in 2015. This article examines Iraqi asylum seekers who journeyed through Europe in search of an idealized version of Finland, which they had imagined based on word-of-mouth and social media information. Through cognitive migration, the act of pre-experiencing futures in different locations, Finland was seen to offer both subjective hope of personal growth and advancement and objective hope of safety and physical security. This hope motivated them to embark on a journey of 6.000 kilometers to the European North. Based on interview data and relevant studies, the article concludes that hope of a better, imagined future abroad acts as a powerful magnet for persons with poor prospects in their countries of origin. Hope is a kind of critical emotion strongly shaped by beliefs and real-time opportunities; and as such, beliefs are notoriously difficult to change. Imagination should, therefore, not be overlooked when planning and implementing migration policies.

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Diasporic homecomings to the Kurdistan region of Iraq: Pre- and post-return experiences shaping motivations to re-return

Cited by 9 publications

References 36 publications

Engaging Diasporas in Development and State-Building: The Role of the Kurdish Diaspora and Returnees in Rebuilding the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Engaging Diasporas in Development and State-Building: The Role of the Kurdish Diaspora and Returnees in Rebuilding the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Transnationalism and the permanence of return in Armenian return migration

Imagination, Hope and the Migrant Journey: Iraqi Asylum Seekers Looking for a Future in Europe

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