Transnational Dimension of the Institutionalisation Process: the Case of the Ukrainians in Poland

A few decades ago migration was perceived as one-way trip that frequently resulted in involuntary breaking off the ties and contacts with the country and society of origin. Nowadays such decisions are not so much irrevocable. Quite conversely, various research conducted in the United States and Western Europe (e.g. Koopmans, Statham 2001, Itzigsohn, Saucedo 2002, Portes, Zhou 1999) revealed the existence of the social spaces that span across the borders of the country of origin and country of arrival. Moreover, these transnational spaces create their own dynamics that slips away traditional migration research. Hitherto, this phenomenon has not been researched on with regard to migrants in Poland.

The main aim of this research is to identify and analyse the occurrence of the transnational spaces of the Ukrainian migrants in Poland. In the following research, this space is perceived as an arena that allows for maintaining and developing socio-cultural, economic and political relations between Ukrainian immigrants in Poland and their community of origin (such as members of the household, family, friends, colleagues, peers, etc.). It is assumed that there are social institutions operational within transnational spaces that manage such relations between Poland and Ukraine. They are defined as a set of rules and resources that govern the action and interactions of the involved actors (Goss, Lindquist 1995: 334) and that are widespread within the members of the certain community (Giddens 1979:80). Within this space one can identify: informal and informal institutions and individual relations.

Duration

2009 - 2011

Source of funding

Ministry of Science and Higher Education