Projects / Programmes
Internet as a Medium in the Maintenance of the National and Cultural Heritage among Slovenians around in the World
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.11.00 |
Social sciences |
Ethnic studies |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S210 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
Slovenian Diasporas, Internet communication, Maintenance of the national and cultural heritage
Researchers (7)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The aim of the research is to highlight and analyse, from various points of view, the use of internet as the more effective type of communication
1. among Slovenians and their descendants around the world
2. as well as among Slovenians in the home country
3. and research the posibillity of maintenance and presentation of specific archive, museum in library material that is already in electronic form and in use, or that would yet have to be transcribed into electronic form. A part of this material is national and cultural heritage of Slovenian emigrants that is currently forming on the internet. With a decline in physical forms of communication, namely letters, packets, financial orders, formal letters, photos, audio and videocassettes, and development of new communication techniques, the traditional research of emigration communication in the context of migration networks is getting progressively difficult. Development of electronic media and internet communication via web pages, forums and e-mails is producing new types of research material, which can not be easily accessed and analysed by all those that have had an interest in mainteining the national and cultural heritage among Slovenians around the world. Therefore, appropriate expert valuations and research tools have to be developed. A step forward needs to be taken to ensure documentation and maintainance of this type of communication, as well as to link it to existent archive material. Internet, as a medium of free and fast (global) flow of various information and as a tool that enables wide spectrum communication among different groups of its users, regardless of their territorial distance, would prove to be very useful. With the help of internet, all relevant materials could be compiled and not only maintained, but also presented to those interested in rich national and cultural heritage of Slovenians around the world. Interested parties would no doubt include Slovenia, European union, host countries of Slovenians, researchers, scientific institutions...
The applicant has significant experience in compiling and maintaining national and cultural heritage of Slovenian emigrants, as intensive target research projects had already been conducted in the past. However, it were those projects that led to recognition of internet as an indispensable tool in order to fulfill our research aims in the future.
Significance for science
- Promoting and accelerating communication processes through new technologies (through new media).
- Trace these processes and examine the influences they have on users. Immediate access to different people, professionals and scientists of Slovenian background around the world and vice versa.
- Important contribution to the studies of Transnationalism and diaspora studies, as different cultural practices can be presented online, (photos, videos, texts, artwork, hibridisation of national symbols of two or more states, alternative presentations of histories and archive materials...
- New types of online communication based on common ethnic background and feeling of belonging that enable formation of online ethnic communities which have a capacity to influence processes, opinions etc. of people and communities on the everyday, non-online basis.
- Development of new methodological approaches in the field of multi-directional communication between the ‘home’ nation and the diaspora as well as in the field of archiving such communication.
- Development of archives of new types of communication and creative work of Slovenian emigrants via internet and incorporation of internet data into the existing archived collections.
Significance for the country
Research findings have identified new types of material in the field of communication and creative work of Slovenians abroad that specifically depend on electronic media and online communication through different websites, discussion forums, and emails. We can talk about numerous types of connections being formed between Slovenians in Slovenia and Slovenians abroad. There is an exchange of different, also new cultural issues. Various cultural practices being used point to the process of changing identities. Internet can allow us to gather various different materials into one connected whole. By doing so, we could not only maintain the national and cultural heritage of Slovenians around the world, but also present it to those interested in the topic. The members of the Slovenian diaspora have various means to search for and strengthen their ethnicities online: by exploring the cultural resources, art, archival data, communication, planning, decision making, by looking for their family roots. On the other hand, Slovenians in Slovenia also have the opportunity to learn about artistic and cultural production, everyday life, archival, library resources, problems and challenges as well as everyday experiences that Slovenians abroad and their descendants face. In this way, the national and cultural heritage of Slovenian emigrants can actively and equally be incorporated into the national and cultural heritage in the future.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
