Representations of Tunisian Citizens of the Environmental Impact of African Migrants in Tunisia: A Sociological-Anthropological Approach to the Environment

With the influx of large numbers of migrants into Tunisian cities, the composition of Tunisian society has begun to witness profound social transformations that have affected the representations of the Tunisian citizen and their views on the behaviors of others. This evaluative perspective on the different and the newcomer has defined the nature of the relationship between Tunisians and African migrants, which may seem somewhat lukewarm. Interaction may be lacking, and the relationship appears to oscillate between acceptance, rejection, and disapproval, potentially reaching the point of hostility and reaction. Environmental issues represent one of the pressing topics that concern Tunisians and drive them to fiercely defend their local environment. They may consider it a red line that cannot be crossed or compromised, especially in light of widespread negligence and serious environmental violations that threaten individual lives and social peace as a whole. In this context, this study represents a sociological-anthropological approach attempting to capture the representations of the Tunisian citizen regarding the environmental behaviors of migrants. An approach in environmental sociology that is aware of the importance of the communicative and social dimension of the concept of social representations may create a ground for understanding and harmony with African migrants—at least on the environmental level—potentially serving as a good entry point for accepting the other and protecting ourselves from discord, conflict, and exclusion.
Keywords: social representations – environment – interaction – sociological approach – anthropological approach.