News and Updates September

You will say I do not read anything else and I tend to be biased. Well, aren’t we all a bit biased? To be honest, I usually read various sources of information, but this month has been very busy, which means that I only focused on … presseurope. So let’s see what has been happening in the bubble of migration in the past month!

FRONTEX has been accused of mistreating immigrants

Frontex, the EU agency based in Warsaw, was created 6 years ago as a specialised and independent body tasked to coordinate the operational cooperation between Member States in the field of border security. According to a report published this September by Human Rights Watch, Frontex activities fail to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The report was based on conditions provided by detention facilities for immigrants in Greece, where unaccompanied children are placed in cells overcrowded with adults.

Comments

A possible solution would be the involvement of charities which advocate for the wellbeing of children? In the UK Bernandos now deals children held in detention by the UKBA.

http://www.ionline.pt/conteudo/150771-europa-acusada-tratar-imigrantes-ilegais-maneira-degradante

Bulgaria and Romania have not been admitted in the Schengen Area

On the 22^nd of September, following the Netherland’s and Finland’s vetoing, EU minister decided to postpone Romania and Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen area, which allows for the free movement of people across internal EU borders. Inclusion into the Schengen area has been a priority for both countries since they joined the EU in 2007. Corruption and organised crime, but also fear that the West would be assaulted by cheap labour force are the reasons of the rejection.

http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/978281-congratulations-you-failed-schengen-test

New initiative to stop migrant deaths in the Mediterranean region

Following the ‘Arab spring’, many people have died in their attempt to cross the sea to Europe. As a result, a coalition of organisations supporting migrants and refugees has launched an initiative which aims to challenge the conditions which have lead to these deaths. The initiative is called ‘Boats4People’ and is aiming to put together a flotilla of boats which will sail from Rome towards the south of Tunisia.

Comments:

It is a good idea, but it is a pity we had to get here. It is also a shame that it is not supported by international organisations, only by rather small charities and organisations.

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/news/2011/new-initiative-stop-migrant-deaths-mediterranean-region

French Guiana acts as a door to the European Union

The French overseas department is on the American continent, but it is a EU land.

“Every year, 13,000 people, mainly Surinamese, apply to us residency for permits. About a third of these applications are approved,” explains sub-prefect Hamel-Françis Mekachera. “It is the start of a long process, which eventually leads to the granting of French nationality seven years later.” 

However, the EU is making it more difficult for the inhabitants of the French Guyana to go to France and has reduced the number of people allowed to go to mainland France.

http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/945161-french-guiana-door-eu

Film Tout ce qui brille/All that Glitters on Friday the 20th of September

MIGRANTS SUPPORTING MIGRANTS and ALLIANCE FRANCAISE are happy to invite you to "WELCOME - De l'immigration à l'intégration", the ciné-club on MIGRATION.

Tout ce qui brille, by Géraldine Nakache 
With Leïla Bekhti and Géraldine Nakache
Comedy, 2010, 100 min

In FRENCH with ENGLISH subtitles!

Ely and Lila are two young women, coming from three generations of migrants living in France, are dreaming of better life. Both living in the suburbs of Paris, they try to mix with richer people in order to realise their dreams.

The film will be introduced by Claudia Paraschivescu from Migrants Supporting Migrants. 

After the film, we will have a chat (in French or not) over some French wine and cheese!

The event costs £3 for non-members of the AF and £2 for members, but it is free for MSM volunteers and those who have participated in various MSM events!

For more info please call Claudia on 07531 902 599

News and Updates August 2011

The Migrant Journey

In the context of reducing  UK net migration whilst still welcoming the brightest and the best who can benefit British economy, the United Kingdom has published the 2nd report of the research entitled The Migrant Journey.

The results of the report are as follows:

·         - main routes of entry into the UK: work and family (as dependants)

·         -  nationalities vary according to the routes of entry. Migrants from India and the Philippines are more prone to enter the country through the work route, whereas most immigrants from Bangladesh and Pakistan tend to favour the family route. Nigerian immigrants tended to be part of a cohort who was granted settlement on arrival. These 5 nationalities are the top countries in the world leading to settlement route

·        - family route grants entry clearance to a third country national on the basis of their relationship to a British citizen or a settled migrant. The top 7 nationalities leading to settlement through the family route are Pakistani, Indian, Australian, American, South African, New Zealander and Bangladeshi.

·         the work route leading to settlement is favoured by the citizens of the following countries: India, America, Philippines, Ukraine and South Africa.

·         - the study route is preferred by the following citizens: Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Russian, American, Taiwanese, Japanese and Nigerian. 5 years after their entry into the UK, the majority of these students have left the immigration system.

rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/horr43c.pdf

Comments: The student route has been reshaped by the UKBA, in an aim to reduce the numbers of students entering the country. Private colleges (mainly) have been the target of tight rules such as the closing down of the dependants route or the right to work during the academic year. However, as seen in this report, the students represent only a minor part of the immigrants likely to settle in the country.

Moldova: The children left behind

Emigration is a debated phenomenon. It triggers both positive and negative consequences. Remittances to Moldova averaged in 2008 more than $ 1,500m , which has had a good impact on economy. On the other side, the emigrants, whilst injecting money into the sending country, neglected their families from back home. Children sometimes see their parents only a couple of times a year in the best case scenario. They tend to leave with their grandparents who do not necessarily have either the energy or the authority to take care of them in the way the parents would. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-14488086

Comments: Probably the only solution to this is purely financial. Emigrants should have the choice to stay in their country and earn a decent wage which would prevent them from leaving their country of origin in a desire for a better life. But this is unlikely to be resolved in the recent future. Maybe a more appropriate solution would be the creation of centres which would 'educate'  the carers of the the children left behind in order to be better substitutes for the absent parents. Also, therapy for children in order to know what direction they should go on could be of some help.

Skilled Asian migrants choose Asia over the West

According to the study Change of Migration Patterns in Asia: Towards Regional Economic Integration, Hong Kong had the highest number of migrants of migrants in East Asia with 2.74m, followed by Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. Also, more Chinese workers are returning to their home country with support from the Chinese government. This is due to the rapid economic development in East Asia, but also to smoother immigration laws which allow more flexibility in the labour market within Asian countries. 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10739122

Comments: The article does not say anything about the tightening of migration rules in the West and the rise of right-wing parties. These are two important reasons of the flows of emigration. Even in settlers' countries such as New Zealand, the Right Wing Resistance is handing out flyers claiming that an Asian invasion is taking place (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10724994).

Dutch town enacts own migration rules

Vaals, a town of 10,000 inhabitants in the Netherlands is introducing rules banning the right of residence of foreigners including EU nationals who cannot support themselves financially. The argument is that the council pays already too many benefits to unemployed migrant workers.

Comments: The free movement is one of the pillars of the European Union. Without it, the European Union would lose its slogan which refers to unity (Unity in Diversity) between the countries part of it. However, Spain looked in the same direction when it decided to lift the right to work to Romanian citizens, on the basis that many Romanian workers are unemployed and Spain finds it hard to support them, given the current economic crisis.

 http://www.euractiv.com/en/justice/dutch-town-enacts-migrant-rules-news-506861?utm_source=EurActiv+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4be4f2c45a-my_google_analytics_key&utm_medium=email

Some thoughts.... [African viewpoint: Home truths]

I was reading this article the other day. It has nothing academic (nor political) in it, so you might wonder What is she doing? . Well, I have been talking quite a lot lately with various friends about cultural clash and I was looking for a non-academic paper which would be able to refer to it. I found this article very easy to understand, cute and worm. It is explained in baby words, almost. It is about a 6 year old American-born Ghanaian who is going back to Ghana to spend some time with her aunt and get an insight of African culture. There are many things she does not understand such as:

·         the fact that she is obliged to wear earrings, whereas the boys are not

·         there are many people on the streets and walk in the middle of the street

·         lack of punctuality etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14530871  

Comments: I think it has happened to all of you to simply not being able to understand the culture of the host country. Why that? Is it because we are born in one country and brought up in a culture that we end up having a certain mindset specific to only that culture? Does that mean that we are narrow minded or just that we have a strong national identity? A culturally flexible person finds it easy to adjust because they do not have a personality of their own or just because they are open minded?

Are we different from the beginning or we become different as we 'mature'? Or is it a mix of nurture and nature?

I found the other day this interesting website on culture http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/wvs/articles/folder_published/article_base_54 . You may want to give it a read. You will not be disappointed! It will teach you more about how different we all are and maybe you will understand why it is harder to interact with some people than with other.

Author: Claudia Paraschivescu claudia.paraschivescu@gmail.com

Public Meeting on Settlement Consultation 9th August from 3 to 5:30 pm Green Fish Centre Manchester

‘Public Meeting on Government Consultation on changes to Immigration rules’

Migrants Supporting Migrants and Migrants’ Rights Network are organising a “Public meeting” on the Government’s proposals to change the Points based System & reduce Settlement Rights for particular groups of migrants.

Presentations from Migrant’s Rights Network Advocacy Support Officer Juan Camilo Cook & Immigration Lawyer, Nicky Dean and Community Representative.

Followed by workshops to discuss how we can respond to these proposals.

Come along and find out how you can get Involved!

Date: 9^th of August   from 3pm to 5:30

at the Green Fish Resource Centre

46 – 50 Oldham St.

 Manchester

 M4 1LE

Please complete the booking form attached to confirm your attendance or contact us info@migrantsupport.org.uk  phone: 0161 2267364 mobile: 07847480421

Thank you

Supported by: OXFAM, MRN and CIC

Cultural Event - Integration through Culture

Migrants Supporting Migrants invites you to the 4th cultural event of our programme 'Integration through Culture'.
This time, we are going to discover THE proper British theatre. Join us in our Shakespearian adventure!

                        AS YOU LIKE IT 
                                                     “All the world’s a stage. And all the men and women merely players”

When Rosalind is banished by Duke Frederick, his daughter Celia runs away with her to the Forest of Arden where Rosalind’s father Duke Senior is in hiding. Orlando also escapes there from his dangerous brother Oliver. Rosalind and Orlando are already in love but in the forest Rosalind is disguised as a man...

Full of great characters, beautiful words, singing, dancing and jokes AS YOU LIKE IT shows a fragmented, bitter and broken world being remade into something completely different

For more informations contact Claudia at 07531 902 599

The event is free of charge.
Places are limited.
No MAYBE and no drop outs, please!

UPDATES

Projects

The “Migrants Voices from the North” project in conjunction with Migrants Supporting Migrants and North Manchester Radio FM 106.6 aims to help refugees and migrants to integrate into British life, access information, advice and guidance and participate

in local activities.

The project is presented by four teams – Spanish, French, Polish and Chinese. More information about the project can be found at http://migrantsvoicesfromthenorth.weebly.com/

Events

Starting March, we have committed to organise a monthly cultural event. This aims to integrate the migrants from Manchester into British society through arts.

8^th of March – Movie Projection and Debate on migration issues. Film: Ae Fond Kiss, Ken Loach. It is a movie about the power of religion, family and community. It is about hybrid identities, identitary frustration and (non-) integration. It is about the experience of migration of two distinct groups – Irish and Pakistanis in Scotland.

19^th of April - Exhibition Cornerhouse. Given the social unrest in North Africa, we thought it might be a good idea to visit the exhibition organised by Cornerhouse: Algeria-France-UK. "Making a timely intervention in current debates on colonial and post-colonial politics and culture, and exploring the links... and frontiers between Europe and North Africa in the age of neo-liberalism, New Cartographies examines issues of diaspora, migration, memory and identity by investigating the cultural and personal aspects of journeying across politically connected countries." (Cornerhouse)

6^th of June – Theatre Play at the Royal Exchange. Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman, lives with his wife Beatrice and young orphaned niece Catherine in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York. Two cousins from Sicily, relatives of Beatrice, come as illegal immigrants to stay in the Carbone’s home and find work on the docks. When Catherine is attracted to Rodolpho, Eddie’s life is thrown into turmoil. One of Arthur Miller’s masterpieces, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Arthur Miller) is a powerful, passionate and gripping drama that uncovers the tensions in a tight knit community with its strict codes of behaviour.

“You won't have a friend in the world , Eddie!

Even those who understand will turn against you, even the

ones who feel the same will despise you!”

11^th of June 2011 Language Party

Migrants Supporting Migrants and the International Society held a fantastic event where everyone had the opportunity to share their culture, food, music and language.

Trainings we have received

9-10 April MSM team received a training from Manchester Central on governance. As a result, MSM decided to become a charity. The documents were signed on June 30, day when MSM officially became a charity.

Trainings we have given

15^th of March – Training Session at the Local Council. During the 3 hour training Sandra and Claudia, gave a training session on migration awareness. More precisely, the training looked at “Working to advance the welfare and rights of migrants in the UK”.

Social Benefits – MSM, in collaboration with Cheetam Hill Advice Bureau, organised a 6 weeks training (March-May) course on Social Benefits. It aimed to make the migrants familiar with the British welfare state and social system.

News and Updates

The monthly blog which looks at news and updates related to migration can be found at http://migrantssupportingmigrants.blogspot.com/

A quick overview of some changes or simply news in the world of migration July 2011

Overseas artists 'poorly treated' by visa system

The letter in the Daily Telegraph, signed by nearly 100 names from the arts world, says non-European artists are "poorly treated." The group says the points system, introduced in 2008, is "needlessly bureaucratic and intrusive". A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said: "Creative artists from across the world are welcome to come and perform in the UK. As part of our commitment to the industry, we work with organisers of international events to ensure they are aware of the application process and are able to help facilitate urgent cases. However, as with any visitors to the UK, we expect individuals to meet our entry requirements."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13927454 

Unveiling the Truth: Why 32 Muslim Women Wear the Full-Face Veil in France

As you may know, a new law which bans the burqa has been introduced in France. As a result, Open Society have done a research which gathered 32 Muslim women. Have a read through their impressions!
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/home/articles_publications/publications/unveiling-the-truth-20110411

Man 'denied French citizenship over degrading views'

An inquiry showed the man did not respect the principle of equality between the sexes, Europe 1 radio quotes a French official as saying. An inquiry showed the man did not respect the principle of equality between the sexes, Europe 1 radio quotes a French official as saying. It adds the unprecedented decision signals tough new requirement for obtaining nationality. The unnamed man is said to have been married to a French citizen for years. An interior ministry official quoted by Europe 1 insisted the rejection was justified. The man's behaviour, the official said, had been "incompatible with the basic values of the French community and the principle of equality between men and women".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13722542

Migration settlement rights to be cut says Home Office

In future, only a "tightly controlled minority" from outside the European Union will be allowed to stay for more than five years. Ministers say they are also considering stopping wealthy business people staying on after five years. The move is part of the government's pledge to cut net migration to tens of thousands by the end of the Parliament. Ministers have already announced an immigration cap affecting skilled workers from outside the European Union and plans to restrict students. The government also says dependants of visa applicants may have to pass an English test. In a written parliamentary statement, Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "We intend to break the automatic link between coming to the UK to work and settling here permanently. "In 1997, there were fewer than 10,000 employment-related grants of settlement; by 2010, that number had risen to over 84,000. "We need to be more selective about who we allow to stay." The key proposals in the 12-week consultation include only allowing temporary residence for skilled workers, ending the assumption that anyone who comes to the UK can ask to stay after five years. Turfing out valuable migrant workers who are turned down for settlement would be incredibly disruptive to companies of all sizes”. Dr Adam Marshall, British Chambers of Commerce However, ministers say they could make exceptions for workers earning more than £150,000 or if they were in eocnomically important jobs. Another proposal is to ban non-EU domestic workers - people who work in private homes in jobs including cooks and nannies.The government is also considering limiting the rights of wealthy entrepreneurs or highly-qualified business people to settle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13714028

French Minister claims two-thirds of children of non-European immigrants are school-dropout 

On 22nd May 2011, Mr GUÉANT made his controversial remarks, insinuating that children of non-European immigrants were somehow less capable than others. “Contrary to what people say”, affirmed Mr GUÉANT, “integration is not going that well: a quarter of foreigners who are not of European origin are unemployed and children of immigrants are responsible for two-thirds of school dropouts”. “This new provocation which stigmatises children is despicable”, added Christian CHEVALIER, Secretary General of SE-UNSA.
For its part, the Federation of Parents of Public School Students (FCPE – one of the main federations of parents of pupils in France) denounced the Minister’s remarks as “inconceivable” and asked where he had obtained such “crazy statistics”. According to a spokesman of Mr GUÉANT’s ministry, the figures come from the 2010 annual report of the High Council for Integration (HCI) on the challenges of integration in school.
http://www.migrationnewssheet.eu/?page_id=2737

Author: Claudia Paraschivescu claudia.paraschivescu@gmail.com 

Language Party Manchester Saturday 11th June from 12 at International Society

Breaking Language Barriers and celebrating Diversity

Language Party

Migrants Supporting Migrants and the International Society are delighted to invite you to a fantastic event where you will have the opportunity to share your culture, food, music and language.

If you are new in town or you want to know more about different cultures and meet people from all over the world, please come and join us!

At: International Society

327 Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9PG

(Near the Manchester University Student Union)

From 12 to 5 PM

Saturday 11^th June 2011

There will be…

ü  Opportunities to make new friends and to have a lot of fun

ü  Opportunities to network (stalls available, please contact Anysie 07847480421)

ü  Opportunities to know more about our work and get involved

We will be sharing experiences from our Media project

“Migrant voices from the north”

Broadcasting every MONDAY, from 4 pm to 5 pm at

NORTH MANCHESTER RADIO 106.6 FM

 

Migrants Supporting Migrants

Wesley Enterprise Centre, Royce Road, Manchester M15 5BP, 0161 2267364 - 07847480421    info@migrantsupport.org.uk /  www.migrantsupport.org.uk

Migration Pulse blog - Migrants Rights Network blog.

• 

Sandra Peňaloza Rice

Sandra Peňaloza Rice is one of the volunteers contributing her thoughts on the Migration Pulse blog.

Nowadays “volunteering” has become a very important part of our society, not only to reflect the amount of support communities and disadvantage individuals need, but also to reflect the solidarity and compassion volunteers have for the society. It doesn’t matter if a volunteer helps somebody to do some shopping, enjoy quick chat or maybe going abroad and spend weeks helping whole communities devastated by a natural disaster. In all cases somebody has given their time (in many cases money)  to help somebody else and the outcome of this work gives back not only an extremely  rewarding feeling, but also unforgettable experience.

After the announcement some months ago by the previous government to force everybody who is applying to become a British citizen to first complete voluntary work  for 6 months, the theme of volunteering has been brought to the discussion table. Since then voluntary organisations, groups and migrant organisations including MRN organised forums to discuss this issue and created the platform to respond on behalf of the organisations and migrants directly involved.

At this time the afore mentioned regulation has been thrown out by the new coalition government. Nevertheless important issues which might prevent migrants getting involved in volunteering should be still considered and addressed not only by organisations who look for volunteers, but also for migrants themselves. 

According to the latest report “Engage to Change Migrant and Refugee Voices on Active citizenship” by MRN and MRCF last July, migrants and refugees mainly volunteer in migrant/refugee/asylum seekers organisations, local and community groups, voluntary organisations, faith institutions and trade unions. The roles vary, although they often include interpreting, providing language support, advocacy and campaigning, case work, training, cooking, cleaning, administrative jobs, organising events, sitting on group’s management committees, mentoring and befriending.

The report also mentions that some of the principal motivations for migrant to volunteering are to try to “make a difference” and “contribute to the community”. Although this represents a “challenging experience” many migrant volunteers would recommend volunteering to their contemporaries.

Volunteering helps you to gain experience, meet people, in order to better understand life in the UK, improve skills, and above all is a very rewarding. The positive effects of volunteering are undeniable, however migrants face many barriers to volunteer - from fear, lack of confidence, culture, traditions, language, lack of time, lack of experience to find the right placement. On the other hand many organisations which are interested to promote their opportunities in the migrant communities; find themselves struggling to get the attention and interest in the communities.

A small mapping exercise between migrants online showed that the majority of migrants and refugees work as volunteers in organisations related to migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and in the care sector and there are a number of positive stories of migrants who decided to volunteer and gained not only experience but this also led the way to high education or paid work.

About ten years ago, volunteering wasn’t that known between migrants; I certainly remember when I was living in Essex, supporting a voluntary program as a full time volunteer: some of my friends, who came to the UK to study or work didn’t have any spare time left to do anything else and definitely thought volunteering wasn’t an option for them.  

My first experience volunteering in the UK and being part of a wonderful team of volunteers and staff from many different countries was one of the best experiences of my life. Although it was certainly challenging it also gave me huge satisfaction and it helped me to understand the value of volunteering. Back in my home country I volunteered in local projects supporting communities and homeless children, and then back in the UK I found more and more opportunities with different organisations and groups. After some months volunteering I found a paid job supporting a voluntary project, which I still enjoy.

I have been working with volunteers for two years now and I can understand the difficulties for migrants who want to volunteer, but for various reasons they cannot do it; many times potential volunteers come back to me frustrated because they didn’t get their CRB’s after 4-5 months waiting; or those potential volunteers who's level of confidence is extremely low because of  the language problems (even though holding universities degrees from their home countries) as well as migrant workers who would like to volunteer, but don’t have the time and energy to do it after long hours of work.   

The “volunteering road” for migrants can be very difficult to walk, loads of stones, many roads, and plenty of obstacles; but when they decide to take it there is no way back. Their life’s can change so positively in many dramatic ways in just a matter of months.

At the same time having people from different countries, culture and languages volunteering enriches the diversity of the community and society, and encourages respect and tolerance.

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/migration-pulse/2011/volunteering-road-migrants