One come and one gone

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.

Second Panel Continued

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.

January Seminar Second Panel

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:

• The consulate in London competes with that in Lisbon for size, but is the one which emits the most working visas for Brazil.
• The issuing of passports in London continues to increase and the change of Headquarters was due to the large number of Brazilians seeking assistance.
• Last year 19 Brazilians died in London.
• Significant problem of undocumented Brazilian women who are vulnerable to abuse by foreign husbands.
• Last year there were 113 Brazilians imprisoned in the United Kingdom, 59 for false documents for which there is a usual sentence of 4-5 months incarceration.