I’m currently at Gorky Park in Milan, making my way on foot toward Milano Centrale, a 10-kilometer morning walk that’s become part of my routine. As I walk through this beautiful urban park, I’ve taken a moment to reflect and record another short video, sharing some of my observations about Italy, particularly through the lens of the country’s 79th Republic Anniversary and recent referendum election.
As I mentioned in my previous clip, I’ll process this video using a cloud-based AI tool that will automatically translate it into Somali, generate subtitles, and produce a transcript. The final product will be uploaded here, to the notes section of my platform at somalia.substack.com.
After that, I’ll record a shorter version of the same message in Somali. I’ll then use another AI tool to transcribe and translate it into English, again uploading all the outputs to Substack, all while continuing my walk. See also the Somali version here. I want to ask in advance, my Puntland friends in Australia to forgive me if I lowered the decorum level.
You may be wondering: why go through all this effort? My goal here isn’t to showcase AI capabilities for their own sake, but rather to demonstrate how accessible and practical these tools can be especially for fellow Somalis. We’re already heavy users of social media, but too often we’re content consumers rather than content strategists or creators. I’ve been analyzing online trends and usage volumes across Somali communities and beyond, and the data is striking. We are generating immense traffic and platforms like Google and Meta are monetizing that traffic with precision-targeted advertising. We are the product.
But imagine if we took control of these platforms not only as users but as contributors, producing content that educates, informs, and uplifts. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to show how a walk in the park can become a mobile media studio, how everyday tools can be used for community impact, particularly for university students and young thinkers back home in Somalia.
I’ll admit I was trying to jog earlier, so my voice is a bit breathless. This is week two of my time in Italy, and every day reveals something new. Yesterday, I reflected on the significance of the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic, as well as the UN Virtual Worlds Day in Turin, where I’m attending workshops and discussions. See it here. Turin is not far from the French border, about 280 kilometers away, and I joked earlier that you can almost smell the French coffee in the air.
But let’s shift to more serious matters. I’m speaking in English in this clip because, among Somalis in the diaspora, there’s still a language gap when it comes to formal Somali, and I want to reach both audiences: those abroad and those at home. I will still provide Somali translations.
So, what happened yesterday? Italy went to the polls, and as I predicted, voter turnout hovered around 30%. That’s remarkably low. But what’s more telling is the broader political undercurrent: the growing influence of the far-right, systemic exclusion, and veiled racism. Even individuals born in Italy, if their parents are African cannot automatically become citizens. They must wait ten years, prove financial independence, and demonstrate tax contributions before even being considered for naturalization.
This stands in stark contrast to my experience in Australia. Despite occasional xenophobic commentary from the fringes, Australia’s system is, comparatively, far more inclusive and humane. Living in Europe, and especially in Italy, makes me more appreciative of the civility and openness of Australia’s immigration framework.
As for the Italian referendum, it failed. While there were five separate questions on the ballot, public attention centered almost entirely on the first: a measure concerning migrants—especially those from the Global South. The subtext was clear: those deemed “unwelcome” would face even more barriers to integration and recognition.
I'll wrap up here. Once I finish transcribing this reflection, I’ll upload it to Substack along with my remarks from Turin. I’ll also be participating in a short workshop there, engaging with international participants and sharing some perspectives from the Horn of Africa.
Comments, feedback as always welcome. Until next time….take care, and stay thoughtful.
Share this post