Stories about Migration & Immigration from March, 2012
Brazil: “Kilombos”, Stories of Slaves Bridging Three Continents
In this article, we make a secular journey across three continents with 'Kilombos', a documentary released in March in Portugal, which "transports us through the oral history of the African roots of the Quilombo communities, showing the intersection of these roots with contemporary cultural practices".
Brazil: Irregularities Denounced in the Council of Representatives of Emigrants
Founded at the end of 2012, the Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior [Council of Representatives of Brazilians Abroad], or the CRBE, linked to the Ministry of External Affairs, has provoked the indignation of expatriate Brazilians owing to allegations of irregularities in the election process for its representatives.
Guadeloupe: A Cuban-born Mulatto, Mayor of Paris
Guadeloupean blogger B.World Connection posts about the release of a book about the first non-white Mayor of Paris, who accomplished much towards secularity and social progress in the 19th century French Republic, yet fell into complete oblivion until now.
Cuba: Pope Arrives Today; What Will His Visit Bring?
Pope Benedict XVI is due to arrive today in Cuba, even as bloggers chronicle the “wave of arrests and threats” preceding the papal visit. But top of mind for most bloggers, particularly from the diaspora, is whether or not the pontiff will decide to meet with the Ladies in White and other members of the political opposition.
United States: Solidarity Against Censorship of Latino Literature
The elimination of the curriculum of Mexian-American Studies, and the censorship of Latin American books from the district of Tuscon, Arizona, has led to actions of solidarity in New York as well as throughout the United States.
Russia: Moscow's Modern Muslim Experience – In Context
Moscow's growing Muslim population exemplifies the modern experience of Russia's ethnic and religious minorities amid the backdrop of historical events that have molded the Russian perception of outsiders and thus influence modern societal and governmental policies towards them.
Argentina: Documentary on Indigenous People in Buenos Aires
The documentary 'Runa Kuti, Urban Natives' shows us the stories of four descendants of indigenous communities living in the city of Buenos Aires, and how they struggle with reclaiming their identity, rediscovering their culture and making a place for themselves in the city.
United States: Case of Colombian Student Revives Immigration Debate
Daniela Peláez is a Colombian student based in Miami who made headlines recently for being another case of a student with a bright future without a legal status in the United States. Peláez's case hinges on the United States' already questionable immigration system.
A Documentary of the History of Black People in France
The blog Afro Europe reports on a new film about the black community in France: ” Noirs de France” (“Blacks of France”) is a new documentary of the history of black people in France. It's based on the book “La France Noir” of French historian Pascal Blanchard. The documentary is aired on...
Hong Kong: UNHCR's Subsidy Cut and Donation Black Hole
The UNHCR in Hong Kong is being questioned by several non-governmental bodies regarding its reduction in the day-to-day financial aid for refugees in Hong Kong, in spite of the huge amount of donation coming from private donors in Hong Kong.
Video: Plural+ 2012 Contest Call for Youth Entries
Three winners between the ages of 9 and 25 will get to travel to New York City to present their short films on Migration, Social Integration and Diversity in the 2012 Plural+ Contest organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration.
Brazil: Story of a 93 Year-Old Syrian Migrant
'Sito Badia', 'Grandmother Badia' in Arabic - as her grandsons like to call her - was born in the Western Syrian province of Homs. She immigrated to Brazil with her family 80 years ago, when she was only 13. The following story of her life recalls the early days of Arab immigrants to Brazil and Latin America.
Singapore: Domestic Workers Finally Get A Weekly Day Off
After a four-year campaign initiated by migrant worker NGOs, foreign domestic workers in Singapore will finally get a day off a week starting next year. But not everyone is happy about this new regulation.
Cuba: Diaspora, Las Damas & the Pope
More discussion about the Pope's visit to Cuba – Havana Times reports that members of the Cuban diaspora plan to come to the island “to participate in Masses that will be officiated over by Pope Benedict XVI”, while Along the Malecon posts a video of the leader of Las Damas...
Hong Kong: What Can Be Done to Stop Birth Tourism from China?
One of the major conflicts between Hong Kong and China stems from birth tourism. According to official statistics, 95,337 babies were born in Hong Kong in 2011 and as much as 40% of babies' parents are birth tourists from Mainland China.
IDEA Asia Youth Forum 2012
Migration is the chosen theme for the very first Asia Youth Forum organized by the International Debate Education Association, which will be held in Thailand this coming May
Cuba: Blogger Perspectives on the Embargo's 50th Anniversary (Part 2)
The United States embargo (or blockade) against Cuba is now 50 years old. In this second part of a two part series on Cuban perspectives on the 50th Anniversary of the Embargo, we offer the perspective of Cuban blogger and Global Voices author Elaine Díaz.
Colombia: Film Festival Award Goes to Indigenous Film
The Cartagena International Film Festival [es] awarded one of its India Catalina awards in the category of New Creators in Short Films to the documentary short Mu Drua (My land) by Mileidy Orozco Domicó of the University of Antioquia [es]. The documentary, in the Embera tongue, follows the struggles of...
