Producing Russian-speaking community activities in Australia: The role of migrant organisations and Russian political influence

Author Identifier

Raisa Akifeva: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0075-6858

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Journal of Intercultural Studies

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

School

School of Arts and Humanities

RAS ID

77446

Funders

Australian Government Research Training Program / The University of Western Australia / Center for German and European Studies (St. Petersburg State University/Bielefeld University)

Comments

Akifeva, R. (2024). Producing Russian-speaking community activities in Australia: The role of migrant organisations and Russian political influence. Journal of Intercultural Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07256868.2024.2399002

Abstract

The prevailing perspective on migrant organisations emphasises their positive contributions and role in the lives of migrants from various countries worldwide. Drawing on Bourdieu’s field theory and the ‘community of unbelonging’ framework, the article presents a contrasting view that reveals the limitations of the celebratory understanding of migration organisations, their activities and representative function for ‘migrant community’ members. Based on ethnographic research in Australia, I show how Russian-speaking migrant institutions, due to their involvement in competitive struggles and the pro-Kremlin ideological network, can restrict public forms of community participation, the expression of collective memory, and civic practices employed within the migrant community. I demonstrate how Russia, aiming to implement its political and ideological goals and instrumentalise the diaspora, has established or supported a specific migrant institution: ‘migrant quasi-non-governmental organisations.’ Different migrant groups become involved in the Russian ideological compatriots project through these migrant quasi-NGOs, mediating Russia’s strategies to extend political and cultural influence. The dynamic processes in the field are influenced by the Russian-Ukrainian war and the emergence of new players wishing to act as cultural producers, and this shift of dominant forces impacts the production of community activities.

DOI

10.1080/07256868.2024.2399002

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