Patricia Galves Derolle Huber (MBA, MA)’s Post

🌍 Exploring Intergenerational Solidarity in Portuguese Transnational Families We’re excited to share groundbreaking research in collaboration with Jennifer McGarrigle, a RE-PLACE Team member! This study examines how migration reshapes family bonds, identifying four unique relationship types: 1️⃣ High Cohesion and Dependence 2️⃣ Full Solidarity Tested with Resilience 3️⃣ Affective and Functional Solidarity with Normative and Value Divergence 4️⃣ No Solidarity and Irreconcilable Differences 🔍 These findings emphasise the diversity and complexity of transnational family dynamics and call for culturally sensitive approaches in supporting migrant families. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d7uG4bh7 Let’s discuss: How do migration and cultural contexts shape family bonds in your experience?

Do you believe or even know that migration is not a problem. Thanks to Boston college. I have come to learn that migration is part of a larger process of globalization and social transformation. Throughout history, human mobility has included many types of people on the move. Examples of those who voluntarily or involuntarily leave one place and arrive at another include: Explorers, colonizers, pilgrims, slaves, laborers, exiles, refugees, students, tourists, and retirees are examples of people who voluntarily or involuntarily have left one place and arrived at another. However, if human mobility has been constant throughout history, why is it so politically charged nowadays? Why do people embark on migration journeys that can sometimes be extremely dangerous? Where do they go, in what numbers, and for what reasons? Are migrants a threat to the places and societies where they arrive? Are migrants needed in the labor markets? Can Migration be stopped? Get the answers to these questions from Boston college. Take a course on Migrants and Refugees on the Global Landscape

Galicia is an interesting region in terms of Spain's and Europe's migration history. For many decades in the 20th century Gallegos migrated out to richer European countries and Latin America, mostly. They went for work and a better life, sending income home to their families; women as cleaners and housemaids, and men as labourers, mostly. It was a hard life. Migrating Gallegos experienced a lot of discrimination and hostility in their destinations. They were often unable to find a partner and start a family, for example, due to isolation, low income, and discrimination. But many also experienced warmth too, especially during the years of the civil war and Franco's dictatorship; since people in recieving countries understood their plight. When I lived in Galicia in the 1980s, in Pontevedra, I heard a lot about this history through hearing about people's personal experiences and stories about their families. I learnt the expression "Verguenza de Galicia", or "Galicia's shame". It was used, somewhat jokingly, when someone took the last piece of food on a shared plate of tapas, and referred to the poverty and hunger of Gallegos in the early decades of the 20th century, the cause of their migration. Inland areas of Galicia are now heavily depopulated, due to outward migration, ageing, and low fertility. The recent influx of richer Europeans into Spain from the UK, Netherlands, Germany and so on, hasn't affected Galicia much, as most have settled in warmer, sunnier, and more vibrant Mediterranean coastal areas. So it's interesting for me to see Gallegos' response to Spain becoming a destination country for poorer people migrating from Africa. While some Gallegos are protective, insular, and exclusionary, others show deep compassion and generosity, no doubt partly because they want to acknowledge that other areas of the world were generous to their ancestors.

On #EuropeDay, let's reflect on the continent's rich tapestry woven by the threads of migration. From ancient times to the present day, people have crossed borders seeking refuge, opportunity, or simply a new beginning. Each migrant carries with them a unique story, a testament to resilience, courage, and the human spirit's indomitable will to thrive. In celebrating #EuropeDay, let's honor the contributions of migrants who have enriched our societies with their diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Let's recognize that our strength lies in our unity, in embracing the richness of our differences and standing in solidarity with those who seek safety and a better life within our borders. As we commemorate this day, let's also acknowledge the challenges faced by migrants, from the perilous journeys they undertake to the barriers they encounter upon arrival. Let's recommit ourselves to building inclusive societies where every individual, regardless of their background or origin, is welcomed, valued, and empowered to fully participate in shaping our collective future. On #EuropeDay, let's renew our commitment to upholding the principles of dignity, equality, and human rights for all, and let's work together to create a Europe where migration is not seen as a threat, but as an opportunity for mutual enrichment and shared prosperity. #JeSproject #FOR-Jproject https://lnkd.in/ebmx8mVk

Gregor Schäfer and I are really excited to be facilitating a panel on high-skilled migration at the Nordic Migration Research Conference, to be held in Bergen from 14-16 August 2024. The question we tackle is: High-skilled migration - high mobility, low precarity? High-skilled migrants are rarely seen as problematic within national policy frameworks, in fact often prioritised as the only kind of migrants a country is eager to attract. High-skilled migrants are assumed to more easily adapt to their new environments, be largely understood as bringing value to the economy, and not necessarily staying long-term. National policies therefore focus on attracting 'foreign talent', but the broader the societal impact of such initiatives on local communities and cities are not thought-through as carefully.  Furthermore, the multidimensionality of high-skilled migrants’ constitution as a group and their varied experiences of transnational relocation across different contexts should be more carefully considered. The panel we are hosting in Bergen this summer seeks to examine whether high-skilled migrants are indeed less vulnerable to precarity, or whether they in fact face different forms of precariousness. Thus, papers being presented as part of the panel could examine differences between high-skilled migrants and other migrant groups, or explore intra-group differences along the lines of citizenship, migration trajectories, gender, professional background, sector of employment and/or race or ethnic background.  National comparative studies would also be warmly welcomed. This central focus could be examined, for instance, via a closer analysis of: ➡ Policies on high-skilled migrants; ➡ How ‘high skills’ are conceptualised within the companies employing them; ➡ Family dynamics that shape transnational mobility and processes of forming connections and relations in new countries and residence; ➡ How relations to ‘home’ and national identity are maintained by high-skilled migrants. Please consider joining us at the Nordic Migration Research Conference by submitting an abstract for our panel. Deadline for submission is 29 February 2024. More details can be found at: https://lnkd.in/diw4f5i2 Our workshop is no. 8 in the accepted panels/workshops. Please get in touch with either myself (cm@soc.ku.dk) or Gregor (gch@soc.ku.dk) to discuss your ideas or ask any questions. We look forward to hearing from you. Gregor & Claire. #highskills #mobility #research

New step: following the heart, growing branches A chapter has come to an end. It has been my last week at Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken as coordinator of migration cooperation and policy. I will continue to stay connected in a different way, alongside developing Rooted. My period at the MFA has been insightful, hectic, challenging and at times rewarding. Writing evidence-based and future-proof migration policy in a heavily polarized and politicized landscape, is not an easy task. I have really enjoyed - and still do - the challenge though. And over the years I have seen a growing sense of awareness both in the Netherlands and globally, that migration is more than just people seeking asylum, that migration is an intrinsic part of our economic system, that short-term responses to this reality are no longer going to cut it, that migration is also deeply interwoven with the political economies of partner countries globally and thus requires a joint and equitable approach. It is less about being pro or con migration - but about how to effectively ensure safe and orderly migration for the benefit of the countries of origin and destination as well as the migrant. The political debate may not always reflect this change, but the evidence-base and in some cases policies increasingly do. Over the years I realized, though, that my work at the MFA is mostly feeding my head. My heart and gut have been longing. There is a strong desire in me to engage with the topic of migration in different ways, with more space for my creativity and compassion. It has been a long internal debate. Because getting praise for your head-work can be confusing. Before you know it, you confuse recognition with happiness. You mistake success for fulfillment. Your fuel becomes ambition, instead of something that comes purely from within. And then Rooted was born last year, and my creativity and compassion found a vessel. I had found a combination between head and heart. I am thankful to Pascalle Grotenhuis, Nathalie Olijslager-Jaarsma and Warner ten Kate for offering me a mid-way and for recognizing the importance of policy makers having a foot in society, linking politics, policy and people. Thus, from April onward I’ll be working half weeks for the Ministry as a strategic policy advisor on migration and half weeks as director of Rooted. I look forward to continuing the collaboration with all of you from these different angles. And as for you, dear Rooted, let’s give you the time you deserve and get your branches growing. Lots coming up this year: together with UNHCR Nederland, de VN-Vluchtelingenorganisatie we are organizing a large festival on World Refugee Day, a collaboration with Cinetree, more group weekends at De Hoorneboeg, individual coaching, a story platform, etc. Thankful to the growing donor base who believes in the importance of 'rooting' to improve integration, strengthen social cohesion and counter polarization. Onward, with head and heart.

A long train journey over the weekend finally gave me the opportunity to finish reading How Migration Really Works by Hein de Haas - a book I have been reading for the best part of a year since being gifted it last Christmas (massively reduced opportunities for reading having been one of the less desirable effects of becoming a dad!) Migration has been a key theme throughout my career in comms - from working with grassroots migrant support organisations at UNITED for Intercultural Action to campaigning for those denied their rightful legal status at Just for Kids Law and working to promote championing the cultural richness that migration has brought to our corner of North London at Haringey Council. So it's great to finally find a book that engages in a detailed but accessible way with the key issues in contemporary migration research. Many of the arguments in the book I was already familiar with - especially through my work at UNITED with Claudio Tocchi and others to counter far-right anti- migrant narratives - but there were also some genuine surprises for me, especially de Haas's takedowns of the prevailing narratives about the capacity of immigration to respond to demographic changes, and the inevitability of mass migration fuelled by climate change (both, it turns out, not supported by the data). As the book makes abuntantly clear, reductionist arguments "pro" or "anti" migration miss the point that migration is an innevitable facet of human life, and that policy needs to move away from such simplistic framing and focus on solutions that support the most vulnerable in both destination and origin countries. As de Haas concludes: "Any real debate on migration will therefore inevitably be a debate on the type of society we want to live in." 👏👏👏

Inclusive Cities for Migrants: UK-Sweden Perspectives   Having recently delved into an article, I found it interesting to explore the contrasting realities of building inclusive cities for migrants in the UK and Sweden.   The article provides a scoping review of social work perspectives on inclusive cities for migrants in the UK and Sweden. It sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced in fostering social inclusion within urban environments.   Key finding for me: In the UK, third-sector organizations play a pivotal role in bridging gaps left by government cutbacks. Conversely, Sweden showcases grassroots movements that foster community dialogue and inclusion within urban spaces. The emphasis on social planning and grassroots initiatives underscores a unique approach to addressing the social inclusion of migrants.   Despite these differences, both countries share a common goal of fostering inclusive urban environments for all residents.   Ramachandran, N., & Di Matteo, C. (2023). Exploring Inclusive Cities for Migrants in the UK and Sweden: A Scoping Review. Social Inclusion, 11(3), 162–174. https://lnkd.in/eTyumY_s   #InclusiveCities #SocialInclusion #MigrantIntegration #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityEngagement

🔊New on Samuel Hall Stories: What does it mean to belong to two cultures, to navigate between homes? What does it mean to belong to two cultures, to navigate between homes?  For Natia and her family, their return to Georgia from Italy was much more than a physical relocation. It was a delicate process of reclaiming identity, reintegrating into a changing homeland, and carrying forward the richness of both Georgian and Italian cultures. Their story—opening one of Tbilisi’s first authentic Italian restaurants—illustrates the personal and cultural complexity of return migration. 🔄Their experience ties into broader issues that we are tackling as part of the FAIR Return (Finding Agreement in Return) project, where Samuel Hall and partners are working to improve how return migration is managed across the European Union and beyond. FAIR Return looks beyond policies on paper, seeking to address the legitimacy challenges that arise from the lived realities of migrants and returnees. It explores how public and private discourses shape the journeys of those returning to their countries of origin, and how host and home communities can foster meaningful reintegration. Natia's family is one such story—bridging cultures, finding new ways to contribute to both societies, and navigating identity through reintegration. Their return wasn’t just about coming home—it was about forging a future that honours where they came from and where they’re going. 🌍 How can we better support returnees like Natia’s family, ensuring that reintegration is not just policy, but a process of human connection and opportunity? 📖Read the story and insights on: FAIR Return website - https://lnkd.in/esVfG9Nd Samuel Hall Stories - https://lnkd.in/eaYCvvGb

Clauire and I are really excited to be facilitating a panel on high-skilled migration at the Nordic Migration Research Conference, to be held in Bergen from 14-16 August 2024. The question we tackle is: High-skilled migration - high mobility, low precarity? High-skilled migrants are rarely seen as problematic within national policy frameworks, in fact often prioritised as the only kind of migrants a country is eager to attract. High-skilled migrants are assumed to more easily adapt to their new environments, be largely understood as bringing value to the economy, and not necessarily staying long-term. National policies therefore focus on attracting 'foreign talent', but the broader the societal impact of such initiatives on local communities and cities are not thought-through as carefully. Furthermore, the multidimensionality of high-skilled migrants’ constitution as a group and their varied experiences of transnational relocation across different contexts should be more carefully considered. The panel we are hosting in Bergen this summer seeks to examine whether high-skilled migrants are indeed less vulnerable to precarity, or whether they in fact face different forms of precariousness. Thus, papers being presented as part of the panel could examine differences between high-skilled migrants and other migrant groups, or explore intra-group differences along the lines of citizenship, migration trajectories, gender, professional background, sector of employment and/or race or ethnic background. National comparative studies would also be warmly welcomed. This central focus could be examined, for instance, via a closer analysis of: ·        Policies on high-skilled migrants; ·        How ‘high skills’ are conceptualised within the companies employing them; ·        Family dynamics that shape transnational mobility and processes of forming connections and relations in new countries and residence; ·        How relations to ‘home’ and national identity are maintained by high-skilled migrants. Please consider joining us at the Nordic Migration Research Conference by submitting an abstract for our panel. Deadline for submission is 29 February 2024. More details can be found at: https://lnkd.in/eJs6Z_RF Our workshop is no. 8 in the accepted panels/workshops. Please get in touch with either myself (cm@soc.ku.dk) or Gregor (gch@soc.ku.dk) to discuss your ideas or ask any questions. We look forward to hearing from you. Gregor & Claire.