PHD DISSERTATION by Michele Gonnelli
Universität Duisburg-Essen, 2020
This research project is about social change, and major hindrances to it, in Somalia. Drawing fro... more This research project is about social change, and major hindrances to it, in Somalia. Drawing from Somali studies, migration/diaspora studies, and development communication, Somali diaspora members are proposed here as new (old) social change agents. The underpinning question is how they frame, promote, and communicate social change in their home country. Within this (ex) diaspora, those with an Italophone background could make up, I argue, a distinguished sub-group: the Italophone Somali diaspora, which is a major finding in itself. They are educated, at least in relative terms compared to the majority of their contemporaries, they are Italophone (among others), and they have been inspired by a modernization ideal. After addressing characteristics and background of this particular group of people, I explore their voices about social change and the main challenges they are confronted with. I first define, as rooted in the accounts of my interviewees (permanent and transitory diaspora members, returnees), the current main actors in the Somali social arena. These pertain to the so-called outer world, a notion that I put forward for the purpose of this research. Yet, the real battle for social change, I posit, is fought at the level of the inner world: the world of thoughts, beliefs, hopes, and fears. At this level, three main social institutions regulate Somali society: clan, tradition, and Islam. (Overlapping) rules and normative codes derive from these institutions, which embody forms of social or mass control. Within this understanding, and from an Italophone Somali diaspora perspective, social change is conceived as the lessening of the pervasive social control associated with these institutions. The impact of these forces, and especially of the new religious code in force, is far-reaching, resulting in a pervasive state of fear and widespread self-censorship that are full of implications for communication for social change. Within this framework, I then discuss the role that the Italophone Somali diaspora sub-group assigns to three (potential) vectors of social change. First, the Somali Diaspora as a whole, with its distinctive social change capital, as I call it. This is a form of socio-cultural capital, with a pro-active potential, that works as a source of inspiration for promoting social change. Second, development communication as a vector of social change in itself, and as pursued in practice by the members of the Italophone Somali diaspora. Messages and strategies of their “civic engagement” in Somalia are analysed with respect to the constraints deriving from the main social institutions. Third, education in its broad sense, which plays a paramount role in shaping the mindset and the socio-cultural capital of the Italophone Somali diaspora, in explaining current forms of communication for social change, and in constituting, in their eyes, the ultimate source of any possible social change in Somalia today.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
BOOK CHAPTERS by Michele Gonnelli
Handbook of Diasporas, Media and Culture - Wiley-Blackwell, 2019
Drawing from the social remittance theory and the development communication theory, this study ap... more Drawing from the social remittance theory and the development communication theory, this study appreciates ‘Italian’ Somali Diaspora members as communicators for social change in their home country. Representatives from full-time and part-time Diaspora, as well as Returnees, are investigated in their background and as bearers of a social change capital, which was shaped during the post-independence’s modernisation era as well as along diasporic trajectories. Today, in their bottom-bottom engagements with those left behind, these agents are challenged by a deeply transformed cultural context. The lamented reactionary trend embraced by many Somalis in the last 25 years has resulted in diffused conformity, fear, and distrust. Within this clash of outlooks, ‘Italian’ Somali Diaspora members need to adopt a communication strategy that is compliant with the apparently hegemonic religious and political culture. Only by keeping this low profile they can silently advocate for change.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Papers by Michele Gonnelli
InTrasformazione, 2020
La Somalia vista dal cielo.
Istruzione, italofonia e Islam in seno a una diaspora africana.
L'I... more La Somalia vista dal cielo.
Istruzione, italofonia e Islam in seno a una diaspora africana.
L'Italia vista dal cielo è una serie di documentari realizzati da Folco Quilici nel periodo 1966-1978. Nei 14 lungometraggi il grande documentarista sorvola, a bordo di un elicottero, 18 delle 20 regioni Italiane, per ritrarle e commentarle nelle lore bellezze paesaggistiche, nel loro patrimonio artistico e architettonico. Mi permetto qui di mutuare, traslandolo, il titolo di quella serie, offrendo una panoramica a volo d'uccello su alcune pagine della storia Somala più recente. Nel farlo faccio tesoro della mia tesi di dottorato, fresca di pubblicazione: The Italophone Somali Diaspora and Social Change in Somalia (La Diaspora Somala Italofona e il Cambiamento Sociale in Somalia). Temi, ma soprattutto attori e protagonisti di quella storia continuano ad avere riverberi nel presente somalo, com'è normale che sia e come cercherò di spiegare nelle pagine che seguono. Quanto a Folco Quilici era sposato tra l'altro con la figlia di un colono italiano in Somalia, ma questa è tutta un'altra storia.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
BLOG ARTICLES by Michele Gonnelli
Security Praxis, 2016
While Italy has become one of the main access gate to Europe, a large part of the migratory flows... more While Italy has become one of the main access gate to Europe, a large part of the migratory flows originating from the Central Mediterranean Route proves to be mixed in nature, in between voluntary and forced relocation. Yet, the reception system in place obstinately mistakes all migrants for mere refugees, apparently against their own interests, as it is shown in the procedure of the ricorso (appeal). This striking paradox reflects an approach to the so called migratory crisis that has a seamless racialist foundation all along the way.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Security Praxis, 2016
Micro-level, decentralised Accoglienza Diffusa is the predominant approach to the ‘management’ of... more Micro-level, decentralised Accoglienza Diffusa is the predominant approach to the ‘management’ of the migratory flows from the ‘Central Mediterranean Route’ adopted in Italy: this posts discusses the system in the Mugello sub-region (Tuscany). Migrants’ and asylum seekers’ motivations and expectations are de facto not taken into consideration, while the European legal framework is still forced onto a reality mismatch. As a result the ‘Centres of Temporary Assistance’ (CAS) become the last stage of an (economically) unsustainable process, whose actual beneficiaries are not the migrants themselves. In the majority of cases their applications are rejected and they are supposed to return ‘home’.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Security Praxis, 2015
Drawing from field work at the local Somali community based in Florence (Italy), in this post I d... more Drawing from field work at the local Somali community based in Florence (Italy), in this post I discuss old and new diasporic flows on the background of the on-going European ‘migration crisis’. While the appellations Vecchie Lire and Titanic exemplify distinctive migratory patterns, they also signal a dramatic change in local and global migration determinants. Within this new scenario the legal framework still in force in Europe proves quite inadequate. I argue that the difference between forced and voluntary migration is ill-defined: the ‘space’ in-between is the question to be addressed.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Security Praxis, 2015
Adopting a generation-graphic approach I reflect in this post on the dynamics revolving around in... more Adopting a generation-graphic approach I reflect in this post on the dynamics revolving around international jobs applications. Lack of transparency, information asymmetries, and compromised power relations are discussed as they manifest themselves at applicant’s individual level. While impacts on the subjectivity and other costs are unilaterally borne the whole process remains propelled by rising levels of unemployment and diffused lack of job security.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Security Praxis, 2015
There’s no way around it: this is not just the usual suburban area of the usual German town. Diff... more There’s no way around it: this is not just the usual suburban area of the usual German town. Different tints, dress codes, and haircuts reveal that most of the people around do not fall into the German ideal type. We park the car while some veiled women cross the road. A few meters away a couple of grey doorsteps lead us to the building main entrance: we ring the bell, the doors open and we approach the hall. The yellow painted concrete bordering our way up discloses the social housing project behind the environment around us. We finally get to Habiba’s apartment.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Security Praxis, 2014
Over the past 3 years the media coverage on boat migrants and Lampedusa’s landings has shaped and... more Over the past 3 years the media coverage on boat migrants and Lampedusa’s landings has shaped and framed a representation of that reality that is at odds with the actual facts. Beyond the rhetoric of invasion and assistance, all of us, as media consumers, have been heavily exposed to the radiations of an insecurity instilling narrative.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
PERIODICALS, EDITOR IN CHIEF by Michele Gonnelli
International Commentary, July 2014, Vol. X no. 36
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, April 2014, Vol. X no. 35
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, Dec. 2013, Vol. IX no. 34
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, July 2013, Vol. IX no. 33
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, April 2013, Vol. IX no. 32
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, December 2012, Vol. VIII no. 31
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, July 2012, Vol. VIII no. 30
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, April 2012, Vol. VIII no. 29
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, Dec 2011, Vol. VII no. 28
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Commentary, July 2011, Vol. VII no. 27
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
CONFERENCE PAPERS by Michele Gonnelli
Research on migration and development has never scrutinized social remittances from a development... more Research on migration and development has never scrutinized social remittances from a development communication (DevCom) perspective. This study, drawing from the social remittance theory and the development communication theory, is an analysis of the quality of the transfers spontaneously linking a western-based Somali Diaspora community (Florence, Italy) to its counterparts back home. After having discussed Diasporas’ social and academic relevance at the age of migrations, the research puts forward that DevCom as practiced at diffused and individual level can be appraised as a form of social remittance, well beyond DevCom dominant understandings so far: namely as the Institutional Project, the Professional Practice, or the Field of Study (Enghel 2015). Resorting to in-depth interviews and focus groups, representatives from full-time Diaspora, part-time Diaspora, and Returnees (Hammond 2011) are then studied in their actual and potential communication transfers. Investigations are meant to explore social change and development visions at this level and how they imbue de facto or purposeful communication flows, for which the coinage bottom-bottom dynamics is proposed. The study argues that, although spontaneously and in different extents, Diaspora members qualify as development/social change agents and communicators in their country of origin. Moreover, empirical evidence shows that nature and contents of the communicative remittances tend to replicate patterns and paradigm typical of the modernization theory, and of the diffusion model. By doing so the research revives an old debate within the disciple while shifting the focus onto overlooked, transnational, and diffused agents of change.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Uploads
PHD DISSERTATION by Michele Gonnelli
BOOK CHAPTERS by Michele Gonnelli
Papers by Michele Gonnelli
Istruzione, italofonia e Islam in seno a una diaspora africana.
L'Italia vista dal cielo è una serie di documentari realizzati da Folco Quilici nel periodo 1966-1978. Nei 14 lungometraggi il grande documentarista sorvola, a bordo di un elicottero, 18 delle 20 regioni Italiane, per ritrarle e commentarle nelle lore bellezze paesaggistiche, nel loro patrimonio artistico e architettonico. Mi permetto qui di mutuare, traslandolo, il titolo di quella serie, offrendo una panoramica a volo d'uccello su alcune pagine della storia Somala più recente. Nel farlo faccio tesoro della mia tesi di dottorato, fresca di pubblicazione: The Italophone Somali Diaspora and Social Change in Somalia (La Diaspora Somala Italofona e il Cambiamento Sociale in Somalia). Temi, ma soprattutto attori e protagonisti di quella storia continuano ad avere riverberi nel presente somalo, com'è normale che sia e come cercherò di spiegare nelle pagine che seguono. Quanto a Folco Quilici era sposato tra l'altro con la figlia di un colono italiano in Somalia, ma questa è tutta un'altra storia.
BLOG ARTICLES by Michele Gonnelli
PERIODICALS, EDITOR IN CHIEF by Michele Gonnelli
CONFERENCE PAPERS by Michele Gonnelli
Istruzione, italofonia e Islam in seno a una diaspora africana.
L'Italia vista dal cielo è una serie di documentari realizzati da Folco Quilici nel periodo 1966-1978. Nei 14 lungometraggi il grande documentarista sorvola, a bordo di un elicottero, 18 delle 20 regioni Italiane, per ritrarle e commentarle nelle lore bellezze paesaggistiche, nel loro patrimonio artistico e architettonico. Mi permetto qui di mutuare, traslandolo, il titolo di quella serie, offrendo una panoramica a volo d'uccello su alcune pagine della storia Somala più recente. Nel farlo faccio tesoro della mia tesi di dottorato, fresca di pubblicazione: The Italophone Somali Diaspora and Social Change in Somalia (La Diaspora Somala Italofona e il Cambiamento Sociale in Somalia). Temi, ma soprattutto attori e protagonisti di quella storia continuano ad avere riverberi nel presente somalo, com'è normale che sia e come cercherò di spiegare nelle pagine che seguono. Quanto a Folco Quilici era sposato tra l'altro con la figlia di un colono italiano in Somalia, ma questa è tutta un'altra storia.
Yet, these visions often embody, as well, the transpositions into a desirable future of past memories about life and ‘development’ as experienced by Diaspora members in the period predating their departure. Hence, a real or mythical past, which antecedes the conservative and reactionary trend embraced by the country in the last 25 years, is intertwined with new ‘social change’ idea(l)s and spaces of the self as experienced abroad. Gender issues, stances on Islam, technical skills, ideas of democracy, work ethic, and so on, articulate these visions on the backdrop of the on going – and often lamented - national and regional radicalisation process. Within this framework, and as a recurring trait across the Somali Italian Diaspora, looking back also means looking forward. At the same time challenges, communication practices, and adopted strategies, vary markedly depending on the space variable (full-time or part-time Diaspora, Returnees).