Hometown Websites Continuous Maintenance of Cross-Border Connections Victor M. Gonzalez, Luis A. Castro Centre for Development Informatics University of Manchester, UK http://www.manchester.ac.uk/cdi Centre for Development Informatics

Research Overview Key Question: What is the role of Hometown Websites in maintaining migrants connected to daily life in their places of origin? Research Undertaken: We conducted 46 interviews with migrants and non-migrants in two transnational communities. Also, content analysis of a hometown website and online questionnaires with users.

Research Findings Academic Finding: HWs are characterized by their non-instrumental nature. Exchanging messages is sometimes more important than the content of messages. Practical Recommendation: To study the implications of being connected to the homeland in terms of local identity, engagement and participation.

Further Information vmgonz@manchester.ac.uk Gonzalez, VM., and Castro, LA. (2009): Technology and Connections - Mexican Immigrants in the U.S. IEEE Technology & Society Magazine (in press) Castro, LA., and Gonzalez, VM., (2009) "Hometown Websites: Continuous Maintenance of Cross-Border Connections". Accepted for Communities and Technologies 2009, Penn State University, PA, USA, June 25-27, 2009 vmgonz@manchester.ac.uk