Transnationalism and integration: what kind of relationship? Empirical evidence from the analysis of co-development’s dynamics

Abstract

Thanks to telecommunication and transport revolutions, nowadays migrants can actively participate in both home and host countries in a radically different way than ever before. A privileged point of view to observe this phenomenon is provided by migrant associations that have been increasingly undertaking development actions in the homeland. In this way, migrant associations put into practice the dynamics of co-development thus producing some effects in the home country, in the host country and for migrants themselves. This kind of transnational actions highlights that transnationalism and integration can be interrelated to each other in various ways, according to the different characteristics of migrant cohorts and of the opportunity structure provided by destination countries. The aim of the article is to put into light how transnational actions can foster the integration process in the places where migrants live. In fact, the engagement of migrant associations in improving the places where they come from can foster their access and their recognition in the host countries’ public arena. The article analyses the relationship between transnationalism and integration by comparing Ghanaian associations’ actions in Italy and in the UK and the different impacts they produce in these two destination countries.

Keywords:

• co-development
• transnationalism
• integration
• Ghanaian migrants
• migrant associations

Notes

1. The high professional level of Ghanaians associations’ members in the UK is proved also by Henry & Mohan (2003) who carried out a research about Ghanaian associations in Milton Keynes.

2. A town located in the province of Pordenone in the North-Eastern of Italy.

3. Ghana’s second largest city located in the Ashanti Region.