Living Ethnicity in Exile: Identity Processes in Refugees from Former Yugoslavia

This paper addresses the issues of gender, ethnicity, identity, and exile caused by conflict constructed as ethnic strife. The discussion reflects upon some aspects and findings of my empirical research among refugees from former Yugoslavia who were in exile in Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands. The examination of the situation of refugees, who were of different ethnic backgrounds, in these three different settlement contexts examines the processes of (re)shaping ethnic identity in exile and - against this background - deals with questions concerning conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in the country of origin which is also influenced by the experiences and identity processes of returnees. The paper specifically focuses on different state interventions in the three settlement contexts and their role in (re)shaping ethnic boundaries among the refugees from former Yugoslavia. It proposes that settlement policies and practices play an important role in boundary formation and (re)creation of inter-ethnic ties in exile. These processes, in turn, affect prospects of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in the country of origin.

Citation:
Korac, M. (2004) ‘Living Ethnicity in Exile: Identity Processes in Refugees from Former Yugoslavia’. In Saifert, Ruth (Ed.) Gender, Identitaet und kriegerischer Konflikt. Das Beispiel des ehemaligen Jugoslawien; Muenster: Lit Verlag. pp.131-151..