Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

In a highly mobile world, place – the physical and socio-cultural territory that people inhabit – is changing, raising the questions of to what extent place matters in a mobile world. And, to what extent people identify themselves as “nationals” or “part of a place”? This research explores the interrelationship between migration, place attachment and rootedness between the homeland and the host-land, drawing on a case study of migrants from Tuvalu in New Zealand. It investigates the effect of losing the physical connection with the “home place”; escaping climate change and seeking a better future, on maintaining attachment to Tuvalu and Tuvaluan identity while aspiring to stretch roots in the host-place The preliminary content analysis of online media (social media posts, videos, images, and magazine articles) indicates that Tuvaluan migrants strive to maintain an attachment to Tuvalu through retaining language, traditional practices, and religious expression. There is a clear sense of commitment towards Tuvalu and the Tuvaluan identity, resulting from the fear of “sinking Tuvalu” due to sea level rise on one hand, and fear of the Tuvaluan identity dissolution as a minority group on the other hand. Climate change creates fear and uncertainty as it poses a real threat to the physical existence of Tuvalu and the longevity of sovereignty, unity, and identity. Further research through interviews, questionnaires, and ethnographic observations is currently being carried out in New Zealand with the Tuvaluan migrant communities to explore additional perspectives on displacement, belonging, identity, and climate change.