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Eritrean Diaspora Engagement and its Impact on European Democracies

Eritrean Diaspora Engagement and its Impact on European Democracies

In early September 2023, violent clashes involving the Eritrean community in Bergen, Norway, caught the public's eye. These incidents highlighted the impact of events in Eritrea on Eritreans living in Norway. The events in Bergen weren't isolated - similar violent protests had taken place across Europe and North America in 2022 and 2023. This research aims to better understand how governments outside Europe influence their citizens living abroad, specifically in Europe. It's crucial to discuss how we can protect the fundamental rights of all citizens, including those from immigrant backgrounds, and how to encourage their participation in democratic politics in Europe. Until now, there hasn't been much public understanding of how the politics in immigrant communities affect European democracy. Our project aims to bridge this knowledge gap with research, outreach, and communication activities. This research will be connected to a larger project, ARM, funded by the EU Horizon programme. ARM explores how the governments in countries like China, Russia, Ethiopia, and Rwanda interact with their citizens living abroad. By including a study on Eritrea, we can further enrich our understanding. The study will look at the various ways Eritrean migrants and their descendants interact with their home country, and how this impacts European democracies. It will examine both real-life and online interactions across different genders and generations. By comparing the experiences of Eritrean communities in Norway and Sweden, we can understand how the host country's context might influence these dynamics – knowledge that could have international relevance.

Project facts

Name

Eritrean Diaspora Engagement and its Impact on European Democracies

Status

Active

Duration

21.01.25 - 31.12.27

Location

Bergen

Prosjekteier

CMI (Chr. Michelsen Institute)

Project members

Lovise Aalen
Matthew Kiragu Gichohi
Jessica Schultz
Munzoul A. M. Assal
Pauline Marguerite Lemaire