As is tradition in EUDiF, we invited our newest team member, Nicha Phannajit, Diaspora Youth Intern, for an interview in which she reflects on her self-development journey, research plans and how she discovered her diasporic identity along the way.
Hello Nicha! We are very pleased to welcome you to the team and excited to hear your story. What motivated you to join the internship?
Nicha Phannajit: My area of interest has always been migration and development since my bachelor days. Right after my graduation, I worked in Thailand’s migration field as a program officer under a local non-profit organization. It was during the COVID-19 outbreak, and that was the first time I learned about the important role of migrant-led groups as they were our key partners in implementing outbreak prevention programs. I was fascinated by their passion to support their communities, both in Thailand and their home countries. Since then, I have strived to know more about migrants as agents of development and how I, as a development practitioner, could support them.
With this question in mind, I took the first step on my self-development journey by starting my master’s in Germany in 2023. Applying for this internship was my second step: I was mesmerized by EUDiF’s work in strengthening the capacities of diaspora organizations and keen to learn not only how EUDiF implements its activities, but also how diaspora organizations craft their development ideas and activities.
That is so nice to hear – and the timing of you joining us is perfect to explore how diaspora organisations develop project ideas given that you are with us during the application and selection process of the new Diaspora 4 Development grants.
From your first two months, what has most interested you, and what do you expect to learn by the end of your internship?
NP: When I assisted the team with background research for Capacity Development Lab (CDL) proposals, I was very intrigued by the variety of diaspora engagement ideas from different sectors, ranging from mental health to heritage tourism, media and communication. Seeing how public institutions and diaspora organizations often work together on proposals was also really interesting.
I cannot wait to know more about diaspora roles in development and how EUDiF works to optimize their potential. I also want to learn more about the big picture—how the diaspora engagement ecosystem has been built and how it should be strengthened further. As a diaspora youth intern, I look forward to improving my practical skills in research, communication, knowledge development and management. I hope that the skills and experiences I gain will help me contribute to development as well.
Speaking of “diaspora youth,” there is no exact definition for the diaspora. For EUDiF, diaspora refers to those emigrants and their descendants who seek to maintain or create links with their heritage countries and are willing to contribute to their development. You once mentioned to me that the term is defined differently in your native language. Could you elaborate on that?
NP: Yes, in Thai language, “Thai diaspora” is translated as khonthay phlát thìn (คนไทยพลัดถิ่น). The phrase refers to a group of people with Thai origin who were displaced as a result of the 1868 border demarcation between British Burma and the Kingdom of Siam (former official name of Thailand). Their descendants are considered to be part of ethnic minority groups and are eligible to apply for Thai citizenship. As such, the use of the Thai term in Thailand’s context is limited to this specific group. Other groups of Thai emigrants, such as expatriates or students, do not identify themselves as khonthay phlát thìn but use the term khonthay tàaŋdɛɛn (คนไทยต่างแดน) or “Thai overseas” instead. While semantic differences between these two terms and their usages are much to be explored and clarified, both groups do share an attachment to Thailand as their home country. So, I would say I am a “Thai overseas” as in my native language.
It is very interesting to know that diaspora also has such an exclusive definition limited to a specific historical context. Would you also consider yourself fitting in EUDiF’s definition?
NP: Honestly, I did not expect myself to be strongly attached to Thailand in that way. That changed when I moved to study in Germany where I live in a town with no more than five Thai people. The new feeling of attachment caught me by surprise; my generation grew up facing a series of political and generational clashes, which resulted in resentment towards our own society and traditions. My generation’s idea of development and that of the older generation back home is so different that we feel frustrated and rejected. While I still hold such sentiments, living far away from home without any Thai community in close proximity made me to recognise how much I still feel attached to Thailand. It also makes me realize that such frustration and resentment are proof that I really do want to be a part of my home country’s development.
You mentioned that you live far away from bigger Thai communities in Germany and do not have much opportunity to interact with them. How do you maintain your connection with your home country?
NP: Technologies do wonders. Social media helps me keep up with almost everything in Thailand, from the most recent public debates to the newest slang. I was also able to participate in several online campaigns, such as those on same-sex marriage bills or freedom of speech, even if it was a minimal action like sharing news or signing a petition. While this virtual network cannot entirely replace real-life connections, it at least helps link me back to Thai society.
Strangely enough, I have also found an equivalent of “home” in my little circle of Southeast Asian students here. Even though we do not speak the same languages or share the exact same culture, we have found our shared sense of humour and passion for food. This creates a safe space for all of us to exchange stories about our country and learn about others. Sharing bits and pieces of my home country with them also reconnects me with my own identity.
Connecting through humour and food despite language and national differences is beautiful – perhaps by the end of your master’s we’ll be talking about a sense of regional-diaspora identity as well as identifying as Thai overseas! Speaking of your studies, you are preparing to write your master’s research on the effects of the rise of the far right in Europe on diaspora-led development. Could you share a bit more on what you intend to explore and how the internship programme helps?
NP: Absolutely. As mentioned, I am interested in diaspora as a development agent and the enabling environments in both home and host countries that support their activities. The more I have learned about the roles of diaspora organizations (DOs), the more I am curious how the resurging far-right influence in Europe affects DOs in European host countries. Focusing on the potential shifts in European migration and development policies, I would like to explore how such changes would affect DOs development agendas and operational capacities. This internship will allow me to deepen my research skills on the topic and connect with DOs as well as experts in policymaking and diaspora engagement.
This sounds like the basis of a very interesting thesis. The team is looking forward to your academic and professional development journey, best of luck!
Originally from Thailand, Nicha is currently pursuing her master’s in Sustainable Development Management at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Germany.