The formation of European Turkish identity: The case of Turkish society in the Netherlands

Labour migration from Turkey to Europe, which started in the 1960s, led to the emergence of the European-Turk identity. This study is important in terms of examining the experiences of Turks who migrated to Europe from Turkey in the case of the Netherlands. The super-diversity approach, which is a relatively new approach in transnational migration theories, was used while conducting the analysis. The approach focuses on the various characters of immigrant groups, which today have much more complex characteristics. Today, where communication and transportation opportunities have increased considerably, it has become a part of life for societies to encounter with different cultures in different places. In this respect, the approach states that evaluations based on ethnic identity is insufficient in diaspora studies. The approach also emphasizes that besides the religious, cultural and social factors of the groups such as language, gender, legal status and length of stay in the society are also effective. Turks in Europe, who have a history of more than 60 years, are not exempt from this "super mobility", these processes have also affected them. In the study, with the theory of super diversity, the migration process between Turkey and the Netherlands since the labour agreement signed on 19 August 1964 will be examined. The study is important in terms of examining the immigration policies of the Netherlands, as well as the elements reflecting the Turkish society such as the first years of the Turkish society's migration to the Netherlands, non-governmental organizations, Turkish media and political participation in this country. The reasons for focusing on the Netherlands are that the Turkish society in the Netherlands has a share in all areas of society in this country, its human capital is quite strong, it is effective in the political field by using political participation processes, and the institutionalization capacity of non-governmental organizations is at a good level compared to other countries where Turkish labour migration takes place.