Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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GLOBALISATION AND YOUTH IN 4 WIDE ETHIOPIA SITES: COMMUNICATION MEDIA, LEISURE AND CULTURAL PRACTICES [Abstract ID: 1205-02]

Alula PANKHURST, Independent researcher

This paper makes use of data from four rural communities from an upcoming fourth round of the Ethiopia WIDE longitudinal study, planned for early 2018, to explore the ways in which different dimensions of ‘globalisation’ have affected youth since the last round of research in 2010. To what extent have ideas coming from outside the communities influenced the ideas and practices of young people? These ideas have come either directly from foreign countries through satellite TVs, internet, diaspora networks, migration experiences, or more indirectly but potentially more concretely, through local media, education and government extension services, religious missions and preachers and market forces. I consider how these ideas have influenced youth perspectives on their livelihoods, gender roles, intergenerational relations, household formation, youth roles in the community, and religious and local cultural beliefs and practices. The paper considers similarities and differences across the four sites and explores different perspectives among young people in each community, and the extent to which they are linked to gender, age, wealth, and status.