TRANSNATIONAL ACTORS OR JUST SPECTATORS? HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT SECOND GENERATIONS' SENSE OF BELONGING AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN? EGYPTIANS IN ITALY.

Media have a part in defining the formative experiences of a generation, not only because they are so deeply embedded in the everyday practices as to become a \u201cnatural\u201d element of its social landscape and its common sense, but also because historical events, as well as cultural values and their symbolic forms, are often mediated by them. It is what's happened with the \u201cArab Spring\u201d, and the possibilities offered by ICT of being constantly connected with the countries of origin that led the second generations to a more conscious reflection on their identity and their \u201cbeing transnational\u201d. The thesis focuses on the outbreak of the Arab Spring and the importance of social networks in the relationships between Egypt and Egyptian second generations in Italy: were Egyptian second generations transnational actors or just spectators of what was happening in their country of origin? What were the factors that have influenced second generation transnationalism? Which new transnational practices and strategies have they developed? How digital media are interwoven in the (re)negotiation of affiliations and sense belonging

The Arab Spring and the return intention of Egyptians living in Italy

The widespread enthusiasm triggered by the Arab Spring affected both first- and second-generation Egyptians in Italy and led to different forms of action and socio-political participation. However, to what extent will this new enthusiasm transform into a real consideration of returning to Egypt is a largely unexplored topic. Relying on the main migration theories, we address the following research questions: which traditional theoretical arguments apply to the intention to return of first- and second-generation Egyptians in Italy? Do the changes in Egypt after the Arab Spring strengthen their intention to return? Presented data comes from qualitative interviews conducted between 2011\u20132013 with Egyptians in Turin and Rome. The results show that transnational ties strengthened by the Arab Spring support the idea of returning, although a definitive return will probably not occur for the first or for the second generation, but rather they will adopt a transnational way of living