Social networks help diasporas, but Internet is not everything

The use of new technologies is enabling migrant and diaspora communities to keep in close contact with their homelands while also helping to reinforce their sense of collective identity, providing them with a sense of unity despite being geographically dispersed. This is the theory that constitutes the basis of a recently published book that delves into the social use of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) by migrant communities and diasporas around the world.

According to "Diasporas in the New Media Age: Identity, Politics, and Community", migrants and their descendants (for example in the case of second generation Caribbeans living in Britain, Canada and the United States) feel much closer to “home,” because of the Internet, mobile phones and satellite television. Social network sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Orkut or even three-dimensional communities such as Second Life, help migrants and their descendants to display a “physical” presence in a non-physical environment by declaring their membership to a common heritage and culture.

However, Internet is not everything, Pedro J. Oiarzabal, one of the editors of the book, points out in an exclusive interview with eitb.com. "Diasporas cannot rely exclusively on technology to achieve their goals. There is an increasing need for networking in “real” life. For that purpose, technology offers diasporas ways to resolve issues relating to networking, physical and temporal distance. But, it does not resolve the problems of leadership, material and human resources," Oiarzabal says.

It took the two editors, Oiarzabal and Andoni Alonso, three years to get the project done. Working ''together'' while based in different countries, thanks to technology, the two Basque scholars did not organize any conferences to assemble academics, but instead carried out thorough research looking for the best international academics, referring to their research experience as well as to the types of migrant and diaspora communities they studied themselves.

Human dimension

According to Oiarzabal, the book reflects on the human dimension of technology by trying to move away from the image of technology as neutral, cold and removed from ordinary people.

"Computer-based technology as well as mobile devices are part of our lives, inform us about the world, and connect us with our loved ones. This is particularly true for migrants and their descendants," he explains.

"A clear example of all this is the fact that the EiTB news report regarding the publication of the book, rapidly spread throughout cyberspace and news broadcasters such as the Eritrean News Agency as well as diasporic organizations such as the Uyghur American Association and Uyghur Human Rights Project reproduced it in minutes," the Basque scholar adds.

Conference in Bilbao

Oiarzabal and Alonso are currently organizing an international conference on migration and ICTs at the University of Deusto, which will take place in November. Scholars will have the chance to present their latest work in Bilbao. "The opportunity to have first class international academics talking about very current topics such as the use of ICT by migrants and their impact on society at large is very unique," says Oiarzabal.

"Also, we have set up a Facebook page for “Diasporas in the New Media Age” as a meeting point for authors, editors, publishers and readers. We hope to generate a positive and dynamic group regarding the content of the book," he adds.