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What is a Diaspora?

Diaspora refers to members of a community dispersed to many diverse localities across and within state borders around the world, that retain more-or-less distinctive identities (fluid and contingent) vis-à-vis a 'host' society, have an interest in a 'home ', and are linked via networks of social organization (adapted from Kearney, 1995:559, and Brubaker 2005:5).

The notion of diaspora is not to be equated with that of immigrant or ethnic minority, although diasporas are created through migratory processes (sometimes several generations past) that separate people from an 'original' and 'current' home. Diaspora implies the existence of some kind of meaningful community based on continuing (albeit fluid) shared identity.

What is Trans-Local?

Trans-local connections are built around multiple localities linked by ever-changing networked relationships. These are flows of information and influence that inevitably modify both the subject and object of the network or relationship. That is to say the 'community' that acts for development outside Canada in a local context, is altered in Canada (locally) by both the experience and the consequences of that action.

What is Development?

This project does not privilege one definition of/approach to development. We acknowledge there are many definitions/approaches and strong disagreements among analysts and practitioners. The notion of development employed in this project simply describes social processes of change.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Research and Learning Section.