CAMEROONIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS IN DENMARK AND HOMELAND DEVELOPMENT:THE CASE OF THE NORTH WEST CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF DENMARK
Translated title
CAMEROONIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS IN DENMARK AND HOMELAND DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF THE NORTH WEST CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF DENMARK
Author
Ndemafia, Nkemki Ignatius
Term
4. term
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-06-24
Pages
57
Abstract
Since 2007, the Government of Cameroon has sought to engage its diaspora to support development at home. This thesis examines how Cameroonian cultural associations in Denmark contribute, using the North West Cultural Association of Denmark (NOWEDCA) as a case study. Drawing on information from association members and secondary sources, it uses social identity, diaspora, and social remittances as the main analytical lenses. Through the social identity perspective, the study shows how a shared sense of culture and place motivates Cameroonians in Denmark to form cultural groups and stay connected with Cameroon. The concept of social remittances—ideas, skills, norms, and practices that migrants transfer back home, in addition to money—helps explain how NOWEDCA engages with the North West region. The analysis maps NOWEDCA’s efforts in three areas: education, humanitarian support, and entrepreneurship, and it outlines the practical challenges the association encounters when implementing projects. The thesis also reviews Cameroon’s policies and institutional frameworks designed to work with the diaspora. Overall, the case illustrates both the potential and the limits of diaspora cultural associations as partners in local development, and it identifies conditions that can make their contributions more effective.
Siden 2007 har Camerouns regering søgt at engagere sin diaspora for at styrke udviklingen i hjemlandet. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan kamerunske kulturelle foreninger i Danmark bidrager, med North West Cultural Association of Denmark (NOWEDCA) som casestudie. Undersøgelsen bygger på data fra foreningsmedlemmer og sekundære kilder og anvender begreberne social identitet, diaspora og sociale remitter som analytiske rammer. Gennem et social-identitetsperspektiv vises, hvordan en fælles følelse af kultur og stedsidentitet motiverer kamerunere i Danmark til at danne kulturelle grupper og bevare båndene til Cameroun. Begrebet sociale remitter—ideer, færdigheder, normer og praksisser, som migranter sender tilbage ud over penge—bruges til at forstå, hvordan NOWEDCA engagerer sig i Nordvestregionen. Analysen kortlægger NOWEDCAs indsatser inden for tre områder: uddannelse, humanitær støtte og iværksætteri, og den beskriver de praktiske udfordringer, foreningen møder i gennemførelsen af projekter. Afhandlingen gennemgår også Camerouns politikker og institutionelle rammer, der er udviklet til at engagere diasporaen. Samlet set viser casen både potentialet og begrænsningerne for diaspora-kulturelle foreninger som partnere i lokal udvikling og peger på betingelser, der kan gøre deres bidrag mere virkningsfulde.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords