Who: A collaboration between Routed Magazine and iDiaspora:

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• Routed Magazine is an online publication on migration and (im)mobility. Bridging the divide between specialist academic literature on human mobility and popular portrayals of migration in the media, Routed Magazine hopes to bring a fresh, critical perspective to the study of how and why people move, as well as the contexts of mobility.

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• iDiaspora is a global engagement and knowledge exchange hub for diaspora communities and those looking to engage with them. It provides comprehensive, regularly updated data and analysis relevant to diaspora communities, policymakers, NGO actors, and showcases successful diaspora actions and partnerships.

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What: A special issue on the theme of ‘Empowering global diasporas in the digital era’, to be published in June 2021.

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Diasporas are agents with the capacity to respond innovatively to provide protection to their communities both in their countries of origin and in their countries of residence. As such, diasporas have been at the forefront in developing transnational initiatives to alleviate the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. 

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Technology provides an invaluable tool to galvanise these diasporic efforts, from making music to participating in politics and supporting families abroad. Since the beginning of the pandemic, diasporas have created informative campaigns using digital platforms to stop the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable people within their communities. Digital platforms have also been very useful as a tool to collect funds to distribute goods, personal protective equipment, and sanitary equipment. In addition, technology has allowed diasporas to communicate efficiently, reinforce existing networks, and contact the relevant stakeholders involved in the response to the pandemic such as international organisations, governments, and experts. 

 

For this special issue, we welcome contributions that explore the following themes:

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• Empowerment of diasporas through technology. How have diasporas used technology to empower themselves as development actors and empower their communities? How can diasporas implement technological tools to enhance their initiatives? Which online strategies have they developed to create partnerships in response to the health crisis?

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• Technological tools and platforms. Which technological tools facilitate diasporas’ transnational engagement? How have diasporas used mobile applications and online platforms to respond to the pandemic? How has technology facilitated cultural and political diasporic efforts?​

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• Looking at the future of diaspora engagement in the digital era. What are the challenges that diasporas are facing to engage in transnational activities in the era of digitalisation? How can they address these challenges? What are the technological opportunities that diasporas can leverage to engage in transnational initiatives?

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We are also keen on receiving pieces that analyse how diasporas have responded to the pandemic globally. We welcome pieces from all the regions of the world.  

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We are particularly interested in publishing work from diaspora members, migrant leaders, diaspora organisations, government offices, international organisations, businesses, and start-ups.

 

Articles should address a broad audience, made of experts and non-experts, and should be originally written in English, Spanish, or French.

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When: The deadline for proposals is 23 April 2021.

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How: If you are interested in proposing an article for this issue, please submit an abstract no longer than 250 words via the webform available on iDiaspora's site, indicating your relationship to migration and mobility (if you are a migrant, a researcher, a student, a practitioner...).

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