The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies Paris (CAREP) and the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) invite you to their joint conference on Post-2011 Arab Diaspora Politics.
Date of the conference: January 30, 2025
Conference location: CAREP Paris, 12 rue Raymond Aron, 75013 Paris
Join the conference online: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wn5kjtoIRimdLzjvLJNhkg
Visit conference website for further information: https://www.carep-paris.org/prochain-evenement/from-revolution-to-exile-arab-diaspora-politics-in-a-post-2011-context/
Conference topic : The American sociologist, Roger Brubaker critiques the overuse of "diaspora" as a static concept, likening it instead to a fluid "category of practice, project, claim and stance." He highlights its heterogeneity and the risks of treating diaspora communities as monolithic entities, using Sheffer’s analysis as a basis. The term often broadly encompasses various transnational communities, not just reflecting migration between diverse geographical and political realms but also involving the transference of capital through cultural expressions and identities (Bruneau 2011; Tölölyan 1991). This multifaceted usage of "diaspora" connects deeply with migrants' origins and gains new meanings and legitimacy in their host societies through innovative practices.
Furthermore, the literature recognizes diasporas primarily as transnational communities with multiple societal affiliations and identities. However, recent political upheavals, like the 2010-2011 Arab uprisings, have thrust Middle Eastern and North African diasporas into new contentious and repressive dynamics, highlighting their changing roles and challenges, often referred to as the "Diaspora Spring" (Khan, 2012). Environmental crises have also driven mass migration from these regions, adding layers of complexity to diaspora identities and engagements (Kelley et al., 2015; Johnstone & Mazo, 2011). In response to these upheavals, diasporic communities are increasingly seen as agents of conflict and peacemaking, challenging traditional notions of diaspora through their active political participation and influence across their native and host countries (Brand, 2016; Colombo & Gozzini, 2021; Féron & Baser, 2022). This engagement raises questions about their capacity for conflict transformation within and beyond their communities, termed "conflict transmission" by Moss (2022), which reflects the ongoing politicization of diaspora groups amidst global concerns over migration and security.This evolving role of diasporas necessitates a reevaluation of their conceptualization and the transnational dynamics affecting them, urging interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches to better understand and support their diverse forms of engagement. The proposed one-day international conference aims to delve into these complexities, focusing on empirical case studies from the MENA region post-2011 to explore innovative political roles and strategies developed by diasporas in navigating their multifaceted identities and engagements in a post-uprising world.