Conference Announcement – ‘Migration, Integration and Neighbourhoods: Where’s the Harm?’

“Migration, Integration and Neighbourhoods: Where’s the Harm?”

***Conference Announcement***

Date: 21-22 November 2014

Venue: Cumberland Lodge, The Great Park, Windsor

Delegate Rate: £195  (includes all food and accommodation in unique historic surroundings)

Partnership:

In partnership with the Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity: www.ethnicity.ac.uk

Key speakers (to date):

Dr Robert Arnott Director (Border & Immigration System, Home Office), Professor Simon Burgess (Economics, University of Bristol), Dr Nissa Finney (Hallsworth Fellow, University of Manchester), Dr Robert Ford (Politics, University of Manchester), Phoebe Griffith (Deputy Director, IPPR), Ruth Grove-White (Policy Director, Migrant Rights Network), Sue Lukes, (director of MigrationWork CIC), Dr Therese O’Toole (Sociology, University of Bristol), Professor James Nazroo (Director, Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity, University of Manchester), Trevor Phillips OBE (founding Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission).

Register here:

www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/migration

Introduction:

Migration will be a key policy issue in the 2015 general election: we are already seeing heated political rhetoric about levels of migration to the UK.  But what do we really know about the effect of migration on local communities?

Migrant populations are often thought to be harmful to social cohesion at the local, neighbourhood level. The widely accepted idea is that neighbourhoods with diverse migrant populations lack a sense of community spirit, leading to increased social isolation. The influential sociologist Robert Putnam described this effect as “pull[ing] in like a turtle” (2007: p.149).

Drawing on the latest research from the Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity, this conference challenges the notion that diversity is harmful to neighbourhoods. It offers a practical examination of key indicators of social capital and cohesion, such as: whether there is a correlation between educational attainment and prevalence of English as a second language in schools; voting registration rates; access to social housing; fear of crime; trust; levels of health and well-being.

The conference will:

•     evaluate one of the key policy issues of the next general election

•     give an analysis of the latest thinking on migration and integration

•     examine up-close the fissures between different kinds of sociological research,

•     analyse the competing influences of public discourse and research on policy

The event will be of interest to academic researchers; researchers from think tanks; parliamentary researchers and members of the civil service; representatives from the voluntary sector; and anyone with an interest in social cohesion, population movement and integration.

Venue

The colloquium will be held at the former royal residence of Cumberland Lodge (www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk) which is located in Windsor Park, Berkshire, SL4 2HP.

About Cumberland Lodge:

Cumberland Lodge is an educational charity dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of ethical discussion.  This is a not-for-profit event.

Contact us:

For more information please visit the website:            www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/migration

Or email:     janis@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk

 

Events: ‘Refugee and Forced Migration Studies: The state of the art’ (Refugee Studies Centre Public Seminar Series, Michaelmas term 2014)

Refugee and Forced Migration Studies: The state of the art | Public Seminar Series, Michaelmas term 2014 

Wednesdays at 5pm in Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TB
www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/michaelmas2014

This term’s series is convened by Dr Cathryn Costello and Dr Kirsten McConnachie

This series will range across disciplines and subjects in refugee studies, commencing with the launch of The Oxford Handbook of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (OUP, 2014), a multi-contributor volume providing an overview of the discipline, its evolution and challenges. Refugee and Forced Migration Studies has grown from being a concern of a relatively small number of scholars and policy researchers in the 1980s to a global field of interest with thousands of students and scholars worldwide. Like the Oxford Handbook, this series will critically assess the development of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, providing an opportunity for scholars to present their most recent monographs and other research, and discuss their contribution to the discipline, its place in the academy, and refugee studies’ relationships with policy and practice.

15 October 2014
The Oxford Handbook of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies [Book launch]
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/the-oxford-handbook-of-refugee-and-forced-migration-studies-book-launch
Dr Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh (University College London) and Professor Gil Loescher (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford)

22 October 2014
The Ideal Refugees: Gender, Islam, and the Sahrawi Politics of Survival [Book event]
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/the-ideal-refugees-gender-islam-and-the-sahrawi-politics-of-survival-book-event
Dr Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh (University College London)

29 October 2014
Governing Refugees: Justice, Order and Legal Pluralism on the Thai-Burma border [Book event]
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/governing-refugees-justice-order-and-legal-pluralism-on-the-thai2013burma-border-book-event
Dr Kirsten McConnachie (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford)

5 November 2014
ANNUAL HARRELL-BOND LECTURE*
Displacement and integration in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: a century later
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/harrellbond2014
Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal

12 November 2014
Love of women and a place in the world: romantic love and political commitment in the life of a forced migrant
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/love-of-women-and-a-place-in-the-world-romantic-love-and-political-commitment-in-the-life-of-a-forced-migrant
Professor Jonny Steinberg (African Studies Centre and the Centre for Criminology)

19 November 2014
Sans Papiers: The Social and Economic Lives of Young Undocumented Migrants [Book event]
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/sans-papiers-the-social-and-economic-lives-of-young-undocumented-migrants-book-event
Professor Roger Zetter (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford) and Dr Nando Sigona (University of Birmingham)

26 November 2014
Inequality, immigration and refugee protection
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/inequality-immigration-and-refugee-protection
Dr Katy Long (Stanford University and University of Edinburgh)

3 December 2014
Citizenship revocation and the privilege to have rights
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/citizenship-revocation-and-the-privilege-to-have-rights
ProfessorAudrey Macklin (University of Toronto)

TIME AND LOCATION
All seminars take place on Wednesdays at 5pm in Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, OX1 3TB. Everyone is welcome to attend and no registration is required. All events are free of charge.

*The Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture takes place at the Examination Schools, 81 High Street, Oxford OX1 4AS. Please note: all are welcome to attend, but registration is required for this event. Sign up here: http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/forms/lectures/annual-harrell-bond-lecture-2014

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on Greece

clandestina

Read the report: 2014-26-inf-eng

Strasbourg, 16.10.2014 – The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its eleventh visit to Greece. The visit took place two years after the CPT had issued a public statement in which it had expressed serious concerns regarding the lack of effective action to tackle systemic deficiencies concerning the conditions of detention of irregular migrants and the situation in the prisons. Regrettably, the findings of the 2013 visit demonstrate clearly that the situation has not improved. Further, the problem of ill-treatment by the police appears to be growing and there is little evidence that allegations of ill-treatment are investigated promptly and thoroughly, leading to some police officers believing they can act with impunity.

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Courses: Refugee Council Training Dates for November 2014

The Refugee Council have training dates coming up in November. All courses will take place at Refugee Council head offices based in Stratford.

Courses coming up:
. Key Issues in Asylum and Asylum Support- 20th  November
. Emotional Well Being of Refugee Children and Young People- 21st November
. Age Assessment Awareness and Working with Age Disputed Young People – 24th November
. End of Process: Support for Asylum Seekers who have been Refused Asylum- 27th November

Prices for the courses are:
£175 + VAT = £210 for all Organisations and Businesses
£115 + VAT = £138 for all Charities

All courses can be booked online: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/training_conferences/training/current_training_courses?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Refugee+Council&utm_campaign=4809161_Training+November+2014&utm_content=All%2520current%2520courses%2520information%2520November%25202014&dm_i=I6P,2V2RT,31JK3Q,ADILL,1

Or call 0207 346 6737

– Key Issues in Asylum & Asylum Support – 20th November

Working with asylum seekers and refugees requires an understanding of some key issues. Asylum and immigration legislation and policy are characterised by frequent changes which can make it difficult for practitioners to keep up-to-date and offer accurate advice and most effective practice.

This course will provide an overview of some key structures in the asylum system (including determination and support) in order to support delegates’ understanding of asylum issues.

By completing this one-day course, delegates will have a basic understanding of:
. The distinction between refugees, asylum seekers and other migrant groups
. The current international context of asylum and the causes of flight
. The current legislative structure including updates on the Immigration Act 2014 and legal aid changes
. The asylum determination process including the appeal process
. Support provision under current legislation
. Possible implications of future legislative changes

Book now: http://noreply.refugeecouncil.org.uk/I6P-2V2RT-31JK3Q-1AUY7H-1/c.aspx

– Emotional well-being of refugee children and young people – 21st November

The aim of the course is to examine the effects of trauma and loss on emotional well-being of refugee children and young people and to develop further understanding of their overall needs. Participants will be provided with the tools to assess the organisation in which they work, to identify factors which are detrimental to emotional well-being and to devise strategies for providing appropriate care and support.

On completing this course, participants will have a practical understanding of:
. The experiences of refugee children and young people
. The impact of trauma and loss on mental health
. Risk and protective factors
. Problems refugee children and young people may encounter in the UK
. The importance of appropriate support and access to education
. Cultural backgrounds and coping mechanisms

Book now: http://noreply.refugeecouncil.org.uk/I6P-2V2RT-31JK3Q-1AUY7I-1/c.aspx

– Age Assessment Awareness and working with age disputed young people – 24th November

This course aims to give delegates a thorough understanding of the legal and policy framework around age assessment, and practical insight into what is required of a social workers undertaking this assessment and the roles of others involved in the process. Delegates are invited to consider the child’s background, the impact of the assessment on the child, and the context within which it takes place.

On completing this course delegates will have a practical understanding of:
. The impact of cultural background on the age assessment process
. The legislative and policy framework of Children’s Services and the Home Office.

Book now: http://noreply.refugeecouncil.org.uk/I6P-2V2RT-31JK3Q-1AUY7J-1/c.aspx

– End of Process: Support for asylum seekers who have been refused asylum – 27th November

End of Process is the term used to describe the situation for those asylum seekers who have been refused asylum and have exhausted all appeal rights. UK policy states that when someone is in this position they are no longer entitled to many services and support, including asylum support. For many asylum seekers at the end of the process who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country, this means that they become destitute. For those working in the voluntary and statutory sector, knowing how and when they are able to support asylum seekers at the end of process is a challenge. Service providers often hear conflicting messages and myths, and can struggle to ensure they are up to date with the continual changes to policy and procedures to support entitlements and legal options.
On completing this course, participants will be able to:

. Clarify some misconceptions and misunderstandings regarding ‘categories’ of refugee and asylum seekers
. Identify the processes of making a further representation and a fresh asylum claim
. Define the eligibility criteria and entitlements under Section 4 support
. Recognise who is eligible for community care support
. Discern when different client groups are entitled to healthcare and employment

Book now: http://noreply.refugeecouncil.org.uk/I6P-2V2RT-31JK3Q-1AUY7K-1/c.aspx

In-House Training Courses:
. Training tailored to organisation needs
. Value for money: as little as £70 per delegate (based on 20 delegates)
. Convenient, one or a half day out for all staff
. Venue of your choice

Ask us about in-house courses by emailing training@refugeecouncil.org.uk or call 020 7346 6737.

Please note all courses are subject to VAT at the current rate

Event: What is it like to be Asian in Britain?

What is it like to be Asian in Britain?

Wednesday 22 October 2014

18:30 – 20:15

London South Bank University – Abbey Conference Suite – Southwark Campus

FREE ADMISSION (Registration Essential)

Queries:

events@lsbu.ac.uk

Join award winning author, Jocelyn Watson, and a panel of experts to explore what is means to be Asian in Britain today.

Is it more accurate to refer to Indians, Pakistanis, Bengalis, Tamils, Gujaratis, or Ugandan-Asians for example?

What part does our histories of migration and cultural continuity and the conditions in which we have been received and criticised, play?

What about cultural difference and ‘Asianness’?  What part do they play?

How have we responded to cultural difference over the years?

The panel includes Gita Sahgal and Ranjit Kaur.

Gita Sahgal is Executive Director of the Centre for Secular Space and a writer and film maker of controversial programmes on Salman Rushdie, fundamentalism and racism.

Ranjit Kaur has campaigned on human rights and equality issues for over  30 years during which she has worked as a Civil Servant, a Trade Union Officer for Unison, and the Director of a national charity assisting women access their legal rights and remedies.

Jocelyn will also be reading The Gardener, the story that won the 2014 UK Asian Short Story Award.