The Greek Diaspora Project: Homeland - Diaspora Relations in Flux

South East European Studies at Oxford (SEESOX), a part of the European Studies Center at St Antony’s College, Oxford University, invites abstract submissions for the International Conference Homeland‒Diaspora Relations in Flux: Greece in Crisis and Greeks abroad, which will take place in Oxford 22-23 June 2018. The conference explores the interrelationship between Greece and its diasporic communities in the context of the crisis and beyond [Abstract Deadline: 31 January 2018 – The selection will be made by 10 February 2018]:

“Greece’s long drawn out economic crisis is by now an indisputably pivotal event in the country’s history and as such, it cannot but redefine the nature and role of Greece’s diaspora. The modern Greek state was constructed by and for a trans-territorial national community and since its establishment the proclaimed aim of its diaspora policy has been the strengthening of ties between the Greek ‘national centre’ and Greeks abroad. The latter have historically demonstrated high levels of homeland orientation and have had a major input in Greece’s evolution in economic, political, social and cultural terms. But how is the interrelationship between Greece and its diasporic communities shaping up in the current context and conjunction of the crisis? To what extent are Greeks abroad willing and able to contribute to the crisis’ resolution and, more importantly, to Greece’s long term transformation? Aiming to answer these questions the Greek Diaspora Project at SEESOX is organizing the conference “Homeland-Diaspora Relations in Flux: Greece and Greeks abroad at times of Crisis”.

The conference invites advanced research from researchers from Greece and around the world and in accordance with the project’s mission, aims to explore the impact of Greek diaspora communities on the trajectory of their homeland through interactions in the domains of the economy, politics, philanthropy and in the sociocultural field. Furthermore, the conference seeks to place the Greek case within a comparative perspective. In so doing it not only aims to assess better the Greek experience but also shed light on the determinants of diaspora engagement in the developed world at times of crisis, diversifying attention from the developing world which has thus far monopolised the attention of scholars in the field of diaspora and development.

The topics that the conference seeks to address may be summarized in six thematic categories:

1. Greek diaspora and development in a comparative perspective: policy paradigms and national experiences.

2. Crisis-driven emigration and new diaspora constellations: sociocultural profiles, community organization and ‘old-new diaspora’ interactions.

3. Diaspora philanthropy and volunteerism in the age of austerity.

4. Interactions in the domain of politics: state policy and diaspora politics; church, state and the diaspora; policy and technocratic engagement of diaspora elites in Greece; political participation in the age of crisis-driven emigration, social media and electronic votes.

5. Interactions in the domain of economy: monetary remittances; Greek entrepreneurship and diaspora networks, expertise and capital; the Greek economy’s crisis-driven opportunity structure and diaspora FDI.

6. Interactions in the socio-cultural domain: constructions and expressions of Greekness; sociocultural values; social remittances and knowledge exchange.”

The Greek Diaspora Project

SEESOX’s Greek Diaspora Project project explores the relationship between Greece and its diaspora in the current context of economic crisis and beyond. It investigates how the Greek diaspora can affect Greece’s political and economic transformation and explores ways for the Greek state, economy and society to interact with its diaspora. This project is purposely designed to reach a wide audience beyond academia.

SEESOX: High-quality research on South East Europe

SEESOX is part of the European Studies Centre at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford. It focuses on the interdisciplinary study of the relationship between European integration and the politics, economics and societies of the Balkans, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Drawing on the academic excellence of Oxford University and an international network of associates, it conducts policy relevant research on the multifaceted transformations of the region in the 21st century. It follows closely conflict and post-conflict situations and analyses the historical and intellectual influences which have shaped perceptions and actions in the region. In Oxford’s best tradition, the SEESOX team is committed to understanding the present through the longue duree and reflecting on the future through high quality scholarship.

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