Local Cultures, Languages and Knowledges in Migration Research: UCC Event for Refugee Week

16 Feb 2023

The Centre for Global Development (CGD) with the University of Sanctuary Working Group/EDI will host an event in recognition of Refugee Week and Mother Language Day. The event titled "Local Cultures, Languages and Knowledges in Migration Research" will take place on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

We are delighted to welcome you to the following event organised by the Centre for Global Development (CGD) with the University of Sanctuary Working Group/EDI as part of events planned for Refugee Week and in particular recognition of Mother Language Day.

Local Cultures, Languages and Knowledges in Migration Research

Time/date: 1-2:30pm Tuesday 21 February 2023

Location: Dora Allman Room

Speakers: Joy Uwanziga (PhD, French Department) and Louisa Esther Mugabo (PhD, French and SPLAS Departments)

Chaired by: Dr Caroline Williamson Sinalo (UCC French Department)

Presentations:

• “Migration Effects on the Social and Cultural Development” by Joy Uwanziga
• “Staying ‘on air’ in exile: the changing practice, norms, and values of exile journalism from Burundi and Eritrea” by Louisa Esther Mugabo

Light lunch will be available – please register here.

“Migration Effects on the Social and Cultural Development” by Joy Uwanziga

Migrations are usually caused by a number of factors, and among them are; political unrests, civil wars, genocide, disease, and abject poverty. These situations have in no doubt led to mass migration of the people in the different parts of the world. In recent years, scholars, policy makers and development actors have become increasingly interested in understanding the role of migration in development. This interest is perhaps driven by our limited understanding of the effects of migration on both social and cultural development. It’s believed that migrants can affect cultural change by transferring host-country cultural values and norms back to their home communities. To probe deeper, and focus this understanding, the goal of my study will be to particularly study the role migration has had on the social and cultural development of countries in the Great Lakes region, using Rwanda and Uganda as Case Studies.

The research will basically investigate the perceived development trajectory of Rwanda and Uganda, in the post genocide period from 1994 – 2020 and its relationship with migration flows. It is believed that, in addition to the great loss of life, the genocide in Rwanda led to mass migration of several citizens of Rwanda, to within the Great Lakes region, and outside the region. In Uganda too, the insurgency in the North as a result of the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army caused over 1.9 million Ugandans to migrate. The research will attempt to understand the impact of this migration on the social and cultural aspects of development on the people (and families) and in tandem their country of origin.

Joy Uwanziga is a mother of three, who enjoys exploring the differences that thankfully exist between different cultures. Joy speaks 7 different languages (kinyarwanda, Luganda, Swahili, English, French and Dutch). She has over 16 years of working in the field of diplomacy and international organisations. She’s also a seasoned author with book titles such as ‘Manners in Rwanda’ and ‘The Incredible Ways of Parenting’, already on the shelf. Joy is schooled both in Rwanda for her undergraduate studies in social sciences, and in Brussels for her Masters of Arts in International Protocol and Diplomacy. She’s currently an aspiring PhD student at the University College Cork (UCC), with funding from the Department of French.

At UCC, Joy will delve into understanding the migration effects on the social and economic development of Uganda and the challenges that come with it. She is also interested in exploring the role of technology in the development process and how it can be leveraged to bridge the digital divide in Uganda.

In her free time, Joy enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and reading books on African history and politics. She is also an advocate for women's rights and hopes to use her education to contribute to the development of women in Uganda and Africa as a whole.