Youth and Their Challenge to Promote a Fairer Multicultural Society: a Qualitative Study of African Immigrant Activists

Abstract

Immigrants' activism in associations has been identified as a stepping stone for their integration within a new society (Handy and Greenspan, Nonprofit Volunt Sect Q 38:956-982, 2009). Within a liberation psychology perspective (LP) (García-Ramírez et al., Am J Community Psychol 47:86-97, 2011), the present study explores how being active in a national association (NA) or ethnic association (EA) can promote the integration of immigrants in social service associations. Sixteen interviews were conducted with young immigrants of African origin to investigate their motivations for activism, their perception of the Italian context, and the changes their activism promotes on the personal and community level. Thematic analysis suggests that young immigrants choose to become active in national and ethnic associations for the same reasons and are mainly driven by cultural motivation. The results also show that, on the individual level, (a) activism practiced in national associations tends to expand social networks with natives and develop a sense of agency, bicultural competency, and a positive social identity; (b) activism practiced in ethnic associations promotes the formation of political thinking and intercultural competence.

Why do first and second-generation young migrants volunteer? The Migrant Volunteerism Motivation Model (MVMM)

“…Developing relationships could therefore have been a motivation for young migrants to continue their engagement. Studies have pointed out that social support in the host country promotes the integration of migrants (Gurak & Caces, 1992;Marzana et al, 2016;Marzana, Martinez Damia, Alfieri, & Marta, 2019;Palloni, Massey, Ceballos, Espinosa, & Spittel, 2001) as it helps them rebuild their social networks, usually lost after leaving their countries (Morrison, Laughlin, San Miguel, Smith, & Widaman, 1997;Schwarzer, Hahn, & Schröder, 1994;Vega, Kolody, Valle, & Weir, 1991).…”

“…The objective of their volunteering was to enhance the positive contribution that new cultures can give to Italy. This goes in the direction of building a multicultural society as other studies have shown (Marzana, Martinez Damia, Alfieri, & Marta, 2019).…”

“…For 1G young migrants this motivation was strongly expressed by the desire to improve language and thus develop skills in order to achieve a better adaptation. Some researchers have shown that the community participation of migrants involves an increase of cultural competences and a deeper understanding of the reception context (Marzana, Martinez Damia, Alfieri, & Marta, 2019); therefore, personal development linked to adaptation was not only a consequence of volunteering but also a motivation.…”

African Refugee Youth’s Experiences of Navigating Different Cultures in Canada: A “Push and Pull” Experience

“…To navigate the cultural difference, newcomer youth and their families should be encouraged to take part in activities and events that bring youth from multicultural neighbourhoods together. Such activities could include taking part in ethnocultural and national activism organizations [ 47 ]. Service providers could also place emphasis in promoting cultural awareness between newcomer and non-newcomer youth to promote better navigation between cultures.…”

Psychological and Structural Barriers to Immigrant Community Participation: The Experience of Peruvians in Santiago de Chile

“…Immigrant participation within their communities has been conceived of as a powerful tool in fostering immigrants' well-being (Alfieri, Marzana, & Cipresso, 2019;Handy & Greenspan, 2009;Marzana, Alfieri, & Marta, 2016;Paloma, Garc ıa-Ram ırez, & Camacho, 2014;Paloma, Garc ıa-Ram ırez, de la Mata, & Amal, 2010;Sung, Chin, Lee, & Lee, 2013) and resilience (Marzana, Martinez Damia, Atallah, & Martinez, 2019). Specifically, participation can be a way to create multicultural contexts that pursue or enhance social justice (Marzana, Martinez Damia, Alfieri, & Marta, 2019).…”