Immigrant Associations, Integration and Identity: Angolan, Brazilian and Eastern European Communities in Portugal (Imiscoe Dissertations)

The book analyses the integration processes and identity patterns of the Angolan, Brazilian and Eastern European communities in Portugal as they are perceived by their respective associations and representatives. Making use of the privileged positions of such organisations and their leaders as 'community insiders' and 'middlemen' the author sets out to analyse the integration processes and identity patterns of the Angolan, Brazilian and Eastern European communities in Portugal as they are perceived by their respective associations and representatives. By analysis of interview and other ethnographic data collected in Portugal during a one period, the study constructs a typology of the three association groups. This is followed by an analysis of the 'strategies of coping' with integration and identity issues in the host society. Finally, the study presents reflections on eight dimensions of Portuguese social and community services and institutions.