I have updated the Online Articles Page. Unfortunately, an article by Ana Souza on language and identity seems to have been removed by its host so it had to go. I suppose a lesson for all researchers is when you find an article free online, Download it!
On a brighter note, I have added an article by Olivia Sheringham.
The next presentations from the GEB seminar came from the Brazilian Catholic Chaplaincy.
Father José Geraldo pointed out that the chaplaincy was mission based, having four priests, three being in London and one in Oxford. Amongst the issues that Brazilians struggled with he emphasises the climate, the lack of sunlight and depression and affirmed that the Church provides a meeting place for migrants facing difficulties.
João Neto, a lay member of the chaplaincy emphasised the health problems caused by drug abuse and sexual illnesses. He also indicated the educational problems faced with a lack of parental supervision, culture shock and the lack of groups that emphasise Brazilian culture. Also as a former chef, he lamented the lack of cooks able to prepare typical Brazilian dishes with the right ingredients. On a more positive note he pointed out that the Catholic chaplaincy had grown from one mass a week to masses held in 9 churches attended by 5,000 Brazilians. He also claimed that there has been an improvement in the situation regarding false documents with many Brazilians seeking to regularise their situation and many new arrivals intending to settle and thus integrate in the UK.
The final presentation was by Claudio Souza from ABRIR. Here I must confess that my mental tiredness, and the need to start preparing to pick up my daughter from her babysitter started to get the better of me and my notes got a bit vague, apart from the fact that he focused on the various institutions and ways to provide education in Portuguese and Brazilian culture.
I had been waiting to post on the Second Panel in the hope of acquiring some beautiful pictures. However, I will proceed even without them.
The first person to speak in the Second Panel was Cicero Garcia, from the Brazilian General Consulate. His most significant points were:
From the Revista Real, in Portuguese
Dr McIllwaine, first on the right
The fourth presentation for the first panel was by Dr. Cathy McIllwaine, Queen Mary’s, University of London. It was another presentation which was full of data, which I tried to scribble down as best as possible, below are what I could remember.
Dr. McIllwaine was presenting initial findings of a research into Latin American Community in London of which contains many Brazilians.
• Difficulties in estimating the size of the Latin American population, but the survey included 130 Brazilians.
• 67% were aged between 18-39 and 35% between 30-39.
• 46% arrived after 2005.
• Brazilian migration peaks 2003-2005.
• Relatively well educated but with low levels of English (only 33% could read and write.)
• Entry 45% tourist visa 28.5% student 21% EU. Currently 35% are undocumented, 30% have EU passports (no indication how many are genuine) and 13% are married to European citizens.
• In terms of State of origin in Brazil Sao Paulo (30%) Goias (11%) and Parana (11%) are the most significant.
• In terms of cities Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Goiania most significant.
• Location in London shows wide dispersal with Tower Hamlets and Lambeth being the most significant.
• Reason for coming mainly economic.
• Significance of social network in choosing to come to London.
• 85% on arrival worked first in elementary jobs, at time of interview this was still at 60%. 22% earning less than the national minimum wage and 42% claiming to face problems at work.
• 98% in touch with family at home. 68% send money back to brazil. In average send £7049 p.a. The main purpose of remittances is for family maintenance, paying debt and buying things.
Daniel Clark, first on the left.
The third presentation for the first panel was by Daniel Clark (aka me). Rather than wearing my GEB hat I was there as a Baptist pastor and focused on some issues which most surface at a church level. These included the quest for dignity for Brazilian migrants, especially, although not exclusively undocumented migrants. I also discussed about some of the challenges that families faced and also the issue of returning to Brazil. I discussed the idea of a paradigmatic return narrative, the success story of triumphing in the UK and returning to Brazil having bought one’s house and how many find it difficult to fulfil.
Gabriela Boing, first on the left, presented data from the IOM on the return of Brazilians
The second presentation on the first panel was by Gabriela Boing, communications officer for the International Office for Migration. As the picture is evidence of, I spent much of my time scribbling away so the following is as much as I can recollect, other contributions are most welcome.
Much of the presentation discussed the Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants Programme (AVRIM).
Brazilians are the most represented nationality and their participation is increasing.
2009: 627 cases
2008: 481
2007: 339
2006: 289
In terms of total returns through the IOM Brazil came second to Iraq, although most of the Iraqi returns were of failed asylum seekers.
Statistics were also provided for some of the years, I managed to pick up the following.
• 2005: 110 left due to expired visas, 17 irregular entries. 92 were based in London. 102 were single. 16 were couples. 8 were families of three people, 1 was a family of five. Mostly men, in terms of age clustering between 20-40.
• 2006: 195 visa expired; 39 irregular; 202 London; 201 single; 17 couples; 12 family of three; 3 family of four; 1 family of five; cluster 20-29.
• 2007: 184 visa expired; 50 irregular; 157 London; 176 single; 37 couples; 17 family of 3; 2 family of men; cluster men 20-39
Daniel Clark
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