 According to US surveys they are generally considered successful immigrants, but at the same time many of them feel alienated and have an identity crisis wherever they are. The underdeveloped state and the condition of their own country continues to be a major concern for them. They feel a need to regain a lost dignity, enjoy their unsettled life and explore its potentials. They may be considered ‘temporary citizens’, whether they stay in a place for years or months. Migration scholars call these types of migration, the ones that do not involve permanent settlement, ‘transnational mobility’. But looking at the history of Iran where there has always been a mixture of nomadic groups and sedentary civilisations, I propose to call these new breeds of Iranian migrants ‘global nomads’ instead of ‘temporary citizens’ or ‘transnational migrants’. Furthermore, these nomads mostly belong to groups of friends and family that are scattered and mobile. These loosely defined mobile communities play a major role in defining the identity of our ‘global nomads’ and exploring where their tribal allegiances lie. These mobile communities are in touch with one another through different means of communication and they refresh their ties regularly through face-to-face and eye-to-eye meetings (as noted by Georg Simmel).The film that we propose to make tries to show how these people can turn the threats of such unsettled lifestyles into an opportunity for development of their communities through attracting their participation. It aims to start an inspiring discussion among the global and local nomads (i.e. pastoral nomads of Iran) as well as professional planners and designers to create new alternatives. |
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