Diaspora-Led Development: The Role of Hometown Associations in Their Home Country
Author
Nche, Ijang Ngah Melanie
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2005
Submitted on
2005-01-31
Pages
55
Abstract
This thesis examines how Cameroonian hometown associations (HTAs) in Denmark have evolved from social support networks into grassroots development actors, with a particular focus on education in Cameroon. Drawing on Modernization Theory, World-Systems Theory, and diaspora and transnationalism, it asks whether diaspora-led initiatives offer more locally responsive and sustainable alternatives to traditional, top-down aid models. Using a qualitative case study of ACAD and affiliated groups, the study combines interviews, focus groups, and participant observation in both Denmark and Cameroon to explore efforts such as school construction, provision of learning materials, and vocational training, including in the Fako Division. Findings indicate that HTAs mobilize resources, strengthen community ownership, and can complement or challenge conventional aid practices, while facing constraints such as limited funding and bureaucratic hurdles. The thesis contributes to academic and policy debates on diaspora engagement by highlighting the transformative potential of African migrant communities in advancing participatory, grassroots development.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan kamerunske hometown-foreninger (HTAs) i Danmark er trådt fra sociale netværk til at blive græsrodsaktører i udvikling, med særligt fokus på uddannelse i Cameroun. Med udgangspunkt i Moderniseringsteori, Verdenssystemteori samt diaspora- og transnationalismeperspektiver analyserer studiet, om diaspora-ledede initiativer kan tilbyde mere lokalt forankrede og bæredygtige alternativer til traditionelle, topstyrede bistandsmodeller. Som et kvalitativt casestudie af ACAD og tilknyttede foreninger kombinerer undersøgelsen interviews, fokusgrupper og deltagerobservation i både Danmark og Cameroun og ser nærmere på indsatser som skolebyggeri, levering af undervisningsmaterialer og erhvervsuddannelse, blandt andet i Fako-divisionen. Fundene peger på, at HTA’er mobiliserer ressourcer effektivt, styrker lokalt ejerskab og kan supplere eller udfordre konventionelle bistandspraksisser, samtidig med at de møder begrænsede ressourcer og bureaukratiske barrierer. Afhandlingen bidrager til den akademiske og politiske debat om diasporaengagement ved at fremhæve det transformative potentiale i afrikanske migrantfællesskabers deltagelsesbaserede udviklingsarbejde.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
Keywords