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!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Friday, 1 July 2011
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.
8th 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.
19th 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)
6th 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!”
11th 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
15th 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
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
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
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 11th 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
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Migration Pulse blog - Migrants Rights Network 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.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Pictures from "Responsible Partnerships" Exhibition 2011 London
MSM delegates attended: Anysie Kankindi, Cesar Urquizo, Negat Tafesse, Sanoj Tulachan and Sandra Penaloza
Responsible Business 2011 - A new two-day,not-for-profit event developed through a strategic partnership between UBM and Business in the Community (BITC) consisting of UBM's launch Responsible Partnerships Exhibition and the inaugural BITC Responsible Business Convention
The inaugural UBM Responsible Partnerships Exhibition featured over 150 exhibitors from selected charities, voluntary organisations and social programmes as well as plenty of free seminars and workshops to help them develop the strategic alliances and business partnerships that will ultimately help to increase CSR activity and drive business forward. The exhibition was FREE TO ATTEND for all visitors.
watch the video:http://vimeo.com/22652255
Migrants Supporting Migrants
| Stand Number | 162 |
MSM, a grass-root organisation based in Manchester, members comes from different cultures background and nationalities. Objectives; to advance the welfare and rights of migrants, to promote migrants workers contribution to the wellbeing of economic - social life; provide information, guidance and advice ensuring their rights and liberties are upheld.| "Migrant voices from the North" |
"Migrant voices from the North"
“Migrants Voices from the North Project” is calling for volunteers Commitment in Communities Volunteer Service (CICVS) is looking for volunteers who would like to get involved in this exciting opportunity;
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.
This 10 week project will start broadcasting from begining of March 2011.
We are looking for volunteers from a migrant/refugee background or volunteers whose main language is Polish, French, Spanish and Russian. Experience delivering radio programs is not necessary. Training, supervision and Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checking will be provided.
If you are interested please contact Sandra at 0161 226 7364 sandra.rice@c-i-c.org.uk or Nick 0161 226 7162 or by email on admin@c-i-c.org.uk
Web: www.c-i-c.org.uk blog: http://cicvolunteering.blogspot.com/
www.migrantsupport.org.uk
It was excellent opportunity to meet people from other organisations, network and enjoy the vibrant athmosphere.
MSM had the support of Oxfam to participate in this event. 
Oxfam has been working to end poverty in the UK since 1996. We believe it is unacceptable that in a relatively wealthy country more than 13 million people still live in poverty. That’s one in five without enough to live on, discriminated against and stereotyped, forgotten by the government, and given far fewer opportunities than the rest.
Oxfam's work on tackling poverty in the UK aims to develop projects with people living in poverty to improve their lives and show how things can change. We also raise public and politicians' awareness of poverty and its causes, and lobby to bring about change.
www.oxfam.org.uk
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