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The Why Factor: Nationality

Nationality

10/07/2015

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Nationality

How would you define yours and how much does it matter?

When did we start defining ourselves by where we are from and why? How does our nationality effect who we are?

How would you describe your nationality and how much does it matter?  When did we start defining ourselves by where we are from and why? And how does our nationality affect who we are?

The concept of nationality, historically very specific, is becoming increasingly fluid.  More and more people: for economic reasons, for love and increasingly to escape conflict, leave the countries they were born in. 

Mike Williams explores what nationality means to us today by attending a British Citizenship ceremony in London. He speaks to the new citizens from all over the world, to find out why they wanted to become British and to discover how that decision has affected their own personal sense of nationality. 

He finds out about the history of the modern ‘nation state’ and considers the sporting world where athletes often compete for a different country from the one they were born in.

Finally, what is it like not to have a nationality? Mike speaks to two men who have spent their lives stateless due to the partition of India in 1947. 

Produced by Rose de Larrabeiti

Photo: one of the new Citizens getting their certificate confirming their new British Nationality. Credit: Click Print Photos

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