Browsing by Subject "Switzerland"
Now showing items 1-2 of 2
-
(2017)This thesis examines female 2nd generation Somali immigrants’ life challenges experienced in Finland and Switzerland. More precisely, the present study is based on a combination of narrative and semi-structured interviews which provide phenomenological insights in the young Somali women’s own understanding of the difficulties they witness and their personal responses to identified challenges. Against the background of raising Islamophobic atmosphere in the West, the study lays special importance on challenges which arise for the Somali women based on their Islamic belief. By focusing on the women’s interpretation of Islam and their Islamic everyday practices in Switzerland and Finland the project examines in reference to the theoretical framework of everyday Islam outlined by Schielke and Debevec (2012), Dahlgren and Schielke (2013) and Marsden and Restikas (2013) how the Somali women evaluate the impact of their belief on challenges they face. Additionally, the project contributes to the limited literature on 2nd generations’ transnational practices. Hence, it answers the question of what role possible connections to and their feelings towards their heritage play in the Somali women’s lives. Finally, the thesis provides insights in differences between experiences of young Somali women in Switzerland and Finland. The thesis argues that the young Somali women’s experienced challenges can be best understood and explained by the application of the anthropological concept of belonging as for instance described by Pfaff-Czarnecka (2011), Tošic (2012), Rogozen-Soltar (2012) and Gammeltoft (2014). More precisely, the study illustrates how the unique position of 2nd generation Somali immigrant women in-between the three very different groups of “Swiss/Finns”, “Somalis” and “Muslims” asks them to find a balance between often conflicting value systems and how these negotiations lead at times to tensions, uncertainties and ambiguities in their lives. Further, the present project suggests that Islam is not the only way the participants explain hardships they face. Moreover, by applying the theoretical framework of social fields, transnational ways of being and transnational ways of belonging (Levitt & Glick Schiller 2004) the thesis found that the young Somali women are actively involved in transnationalism even though their transnational approaches differ from the ones of their parents. Hence, especially the wish to get to know more about their roots, the pride they displayed to be Somali, and the need they feel to help other Somalis in future illustrates the Somali women’s active way of belonging. Finally, the project implies that Swiss Somalis feel stronger impeded by the Swiss state structure and experience more often mistreatment based on the veil than Finnish Somalis. Moreover, individual understandings of piety and religiosity differ between participants in Switzerland and Finland. The thesis concludes that further research would be highly valuable in order to explain these differences.
-
(2024)Swiss-EU relations have been studied previously through the angle of External Governance theories and the concept of Privileged Partnerships (Gstöhl & Phinnemore, 2019; Lavenex & Schimmelfennig, 2009). To nourish the research of the relations between Switzerland and the EU, this thesis brings Diplomatic Practice Theory to the study of this special partnership (Pouliot, 2008; Pouliot & Cornut, 2015; Adler-Nissen, 2015; Neumann, 2002; Constantinou et al., 2021; Kuus, 2015/2023). The research focuses on institutions and the actors within these institutions, the diplomats and those practicing diplomacy. Moreover, it also explores the interplay of formal and informal institutionalisation, following the theory of new institutionalism (March & Olsen, 1984; Mackay, Kenny & Chapell, 2010). The objectives and aims of this thesis are two-fold. Firstly, it aims to inquire how diplomats and experts from Switzerland perceive their negotiations work in terms of institutional development of Swiss-EU relations. Secondly, it aims to better understand the interplay of formal and informal diplomatic practices. The method used for this research was to proceed with conducting and analysing, twelve (12) qualitative research interviews with diplomats and experts working mostly for the Swiss FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) and one diplomat from the EU (European Union). The interview data was analysed through qualitative content analysis, which was chosen to best bridge new institutionalism theory with diplomatic practice theory, inductively inquiring into the experiences and interactions of Swiss diplomats and experts working in Swiss-EU relations. The main findings of this research are, firstly, that diplomats are limited in their agency and possibility to act, because of the rigid structures in place in diplomatic relations. Secondly, due to this rigidity and the limited formal access that Switzerland has in the EU decision-making as a non-member, this setting encourages for the flourishing of informal diplomatic practices. A prominent actor in this informal and formal interplay is the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels, which work in large parts informally. Finally, my research showed that the Swiss political system and its internal institutions form a political block opposing the advancement of diplomatic work and negotiations on formal institutional agreement with the EU. In terms of significance, the thesis brings important insights into the practice of Swiss diplomacy in the negotiations and agreements set between Switzerland and the European Union. It addresses the academic gap in political science of the widely studied research on the peculiar Swiss-EU relation, more specifically here inquiring the negotiations (2014-2024), from a diplomatic studies angle. Moreover, it underlines the possibility of examining these relations using qualitative research methods and encourages additional research on the topic. More specifically, pointing towards further research on discriminatory practices and structures of diplomacy, as well as methodological developments of qualitative research in domains ruled by a high level of secrecy.
Now showing items 1-2 of 2