Seconde Generazioni Italia

Il volume contiene gli esiti dell’indagine condotta nell’ambito del progetto “Osservatorio Nuove Generazioni e Coesione Sociale”. Tramite un’ottica intra- e inter- generazionale e l’approccio della ricerca-azione ci si è posti l’obiettivo di proporre degli spunti e degli elementi di riflessione, provenienti direttamente dai più giovani entro un confronto con il mondo adulto, relativi a quelle che sono le sfide che caratterizzano la quotidianità. Nel dettaglio, sono stati realizzati quattro diversi “Laboratori di manutenzione di cittadinanza”: Scuola e Formazione; Lavoro; Vita quotidiana e Partecipazione; Migrazioni.

This paper aims to explore the transnational behaviors of first and second generation Egyptians, with
special attention to the relationship among the diaspora, strengthened as a result of the increasing use
of new technologies, at a time of political change in Egypt following the events of January 2011.
The analysis in this paper is based on Egyptians residing in Turin, and will focus on two hypotheses; firstly
that immigrants of Egyptian origin, as one of the largest and oldest groups settled in the city, show a
clear tendency towards stabilization, and secondly, that the recent political developments in Egypt may
represent important variables in the redefinition of present and future planning among first and second
generation Egyptians.
Egyptians who first arrived in Turin in the 1970s, were members of the well-educated urban, middle
class, however, more recent migrants include greater numbers of younger, less educated individuals
from rural areas. Among second generation Egyptians, born and raised in Italy, values and meanings are
often quite different from those of their parents. The community in Turin is not cohesive, despite several
meeting places where first and second generation Egyptians can interact: the most important being the
Arabic culture and language school Il Nilo and places of worship.
The ties that immigrants establish and maintain with their homeland are different for first and second
generation Egyptians: transnational links are more pronounced amongst first generation Egyptians, although
these also tend to weaken over time and with social and occupational integration in Turin. However,
the events of January 2011 and the role of new media, notably social networks, have promoted
transnational participation, especially among second generation migrants who, until recently, were not
interested in their parents’ homeland. In some cases, involvement has developed from online action to
engagement in specific activities, such as information dissemination and support in organizing polling
procedures for the recent Egyptian political elections.
It is still too early to evaluate the impact of the changes in Egypt on the diaspora, however, it is evident
that among many first and second generation Egyptians in Turin, a renewed sense of belonging has
evolved.