Portuguese migrants in Mozambique: Portuguese migrants in Mozambique: Postcolonialism and exchange of knowledge

Background

In recent years, many Portuguese have migrated to the former colony of Mozambique. This project analyses this case of North-South postcolonial migration and its potential effects for development. The overall aim is to explore the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences between Portuguese and Mozambicans who work together, and inquire into how emotions shaped by the postcolonial encounter influence this exchange.

Research aims and methods

By focusing on a two-way transfer of knowledge, the project considers both capacity development among Mozambicans and integration processes among the Portuguese. The project will be carried out 2018-2020 by a multi-disciplinary Swedish-Mozambica team. The main method of data collection will be semi-structured interviews carried out with Portuguese migrants and Mozambicans working together with these migrants.

The project aim to deliver the following new perspectives and data:

• An exploration of North-South labour migration, which is emerging and under-studied migratory trend.
• A novel analysis of the development potential of North-South migration, with a special emphasis on the exchange of knowledge.
• A new approach to integration processes.
• A postcolonial reading based on concrete empirical data, which some critics argue is lacking in postcolonial studies.
• Qualitative data on the recent Portuguese migration to Mozambique.