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Roots to Routes: tastes and traditions on the move in the Atlantic route

Project description

Exploring culture and identity in migrant journeys

As migration flows continue to rise, the need to understand cultural dynamics becomes more pressing. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RTR project tackles this challenge by examining the cultural journeys of West African migrants along the Atlantic Route to the Canary Islands. With a focus on food as both a symbol of identity and a medium for cultural exchange, RTR explores how migrants maintain or adapt their cultural practices. The project engages local communities and migrants through workshops and visual storytelling, providing valuable insights into migration’s cultural side. By addressing the gaps in current migration research, RTR aims to inform EU policy on integration and foster mutual understanding across cultures.

Objective

In an era of increasing international migration, understanding cultural dimensions is crucial for fostering mutual understanding and social cohesion. Roots to Routes (RTR) is a participatory action research on the West African Atlantic Route that investigates cultural representations and practices of migrants from West Africa to the Canary Islands, with a focus on food as a conveyor of identity and a ground for cultural encounter. Research on irregular migration to the Canary Islands has emphasized economic and political aspects, understating cultural elements. RTR addresses this gap by exploring cultural practices, especially food-related ones. Its objectives are: 1) gathering information through field research; 2) promoting participatory actions to involve local communities; 3) creating visual documentation; and 4) offering policy recommendations for the European reception system.

RTR employs a multi-sited ethnographic approach, engaging migrants, local communities, and NGOs in Senegal, Southern Morocco, and the Canary Islands. This strategy allows for a nuanced examination of migrants' experiences and cultural transformations before and after their journey to Europe. Participatory actions include workshops and events centered on food and cultural exchange, while the visual component involves collecting and creating images and videos for dissemination. By examining the maintenance and transformation of cultural identity and food habits during migration, RTR offers insights into social integration dynamics and contributes to culturally informed policies, aligning with key EU migration and cultural diversity objectives.

The project is timely given the ongoing humanitarian crisis associated with the Atlantic Route. RTR's innovative approach positions it to make significant contributions to both academic discourse and policy development in migration studies, ultimately fostering mutual cultural knowledge and promoting positive intercultural interactions.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 194 074,56
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 MADRID
Spain

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
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Research Organisations
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Total cost

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