THEME - Immigration
Introduction
The joint objectives of Conversation Club are to enable cultural exchange through discussion, and to enable the participants to practice using their languages.
The joint objectives of Conversation Club are to enable cultural exchange through discussion, and to enable the participants to practice using their languages.
The starting questions to the floor this week were “Why do people want to leave Senegal, and are their expectations realistic?” and ‘What role does education play in immigration?”.
Motivations for young Senegalese people to emigrate
Motivations for young Senegalese people to emigrate
Young people in Senegal think that they can’t achieve their dreams in Senegal, but that they could do in Spain, or abroad. The Canary Islands and Spain are the most common destinations for illegal immigrants. The expression that is used to describe this is “Barzak ou Barce”; ‘Barcelona or bust’ (bust being translated as the word for ‘limbo’ or ‘purgatory’ in Wolof here).
Many young people think that life in Europe and the States is much more affluent for everybody. They get this idea from TV and films. They think that ‘money grows on trees’ and don’t see the reality that there is also a lot of poverty. At the same time, views are changing, helped, for example, by the Sunday night television programme about illegal immigration which portrays a more realistic view of people’s experiences.
Many young people think that life in Europe and the States is much more affluent for everybody. They get this idea from TV and films. They think that ‘money grows on trees’ and don’t see the reality that there is also a lot of poverty. At the same time, views are changing, helped, for example, by the Sunday night television programme about illegal immigration which portrays a more realistic view of people’s experiences.
Young people see others who have gone abroad send money back, pay for nice houses and change as individuals. This inspires them too to want the same.
Another motivator for emigration was the financial pressure of marriage in Senegalese society. Unemployment and over-crowding make it difficult for men to be able to provide the dowry and home that they are expected to have before they can make a marriage proposal. Going overseas is seen as either the way in which this money can be found, or that marriage to a western woman would be easier as these expectations are different.
How people leave
If people leave illegally, they tend to go overland to northern Spain, or to get a boat to the Canary Islands. It has been estimated that more than 15 000 people reached the Canary Islands last year, many more set off but didn’t make it. It is estimated that thousands of people die in making the attempt.
If people leave illegally, they tend to go overland to northern Spain, or to get a boat to the Canary Islands. It has been estimated that more than 15 000 people reached the Canary Islands last year, many more set off but didn’t make it. It is estimated that thousands of people die in making the attempt.
People used to leave from Saint Louis, Ngorr and Yoff, but the Spanish and French patrols control the coast much more today and now Casamance is a much more common jump-off point.
When the boats get to the Canaries, some people are put into camps. Many people destroy their identification documents so that it is very difficult to repatriate them. Children have a right to be protected and therefore are taken in by the authorities, but there is confusion between child protection and immigration laws. There are many organizations which help children in the Canaries, though there have been some cases of abuse that have come to light recently. A documentary about child immigrants in the Canaries was recommended. It is called "Les graines que la mer emporte" by Samba Sarr . The CCVA will look at showing this film later in the year. Child immigrants can stay in the Canaries/Spain once they come of age if they have got a job within a year of their birthday.
Other people leave legally, through either becoming a student, or because they have family who are already in another country and who petition for them.
Coming back
Younger people may go away for five or ten years and want to come back, but don’t because they don’t see that there are more job opportunities than there were previously. Many people send money back to build houses and retire back in Senegal. Statistics show that whilst Gambians tend to go away and stay away, Senegalese émigrés are much more likely to return home after a stint away.
Younger people may go away for five or ten years and want to come back, but don’t because they don’t see that there are more job opportunities than there were previously. Many people send money back to build houses and retire back in Senegal. Statistics show that whilst Gambians tend to go away and stay away, Senegalese émigrés are much more likely to return home after a stint away.
What in the European response to illegal immigration?
In addition to the coastal patrols mentioned above, Spain has put together a stimulus package to support the Senegalese economy to grow. Spain is one of the major providers of humanitarian aid to Senegal. This financial aid is clearly politically motivated, but whether it is really helping the problem is questionable. This is because funds intended for economic stimulus for job creation and infrastructure are mismanaged, or simply stolen.
In addition to the coastal patrols mentioned above, Spain has put together a stimulus package to support the Senegalese economy to grow. Spain is one of the major providers of humanitarian aid to Senegal. This financial aid is clearly politically motivated, but whether it is really helping the problem is questionable. This is because funds intended for economic stimulus for job creation and infrastructure are mismanaged, or simply stolen.
By 2050, the world population will have grown by 50%, 90% of which will come from developing countries. There is therefore a question mark over the reality of European immigration policy. It is also true that some countries, such as the UK, are dependent on immigrants to bolster the economy in terms of productivity, and because of their aging population. To date, policy has become stricter, only allowing in skilled immigrants, but it was questioned whether this could continue.
One participant said that people are desperate and the demographic pressure too great and therefore European attempts to stem the tide of immigration will not be successful.
The political and economic context
In general, unemployment is high in Senegal. A common complaint from young Senegalese people is also that it is very difficult to find a job, even when you are qualified, if you don’t know the right people. Nepotism is rife, and this also affects a person’s desire to go overseas.
One participant said that young people do not trust political promises of wealth creation and that this distrust is based on experience. Politicians are seen as paying for votes and not spending money on job creation. A non-Senegalese participant suggested that it would be very difficult to break this cycle as there are no real external influences and therefore it remains a Senegalese political issue, which doesn’t show any signs of changing.
Millions of dollars are sent back to Africa every year by family members who are working overseas. It is estimated that around 500 Billion CFA comes into Senegal annually this way. There are neighbourhoods in Dakar which are being built on foreign investment from Senegalese people who are sending money back. This includes not only homes, but community resources such as schools and hospitals. It is generally considered that this direct investment from overseas by Senegalese is far superior to the projects promised by foreign aid, which often fail to transpire. One participant said that she had read a report about Western Union and the massive industry that there is in wiring money to developing countries.
In general, unemployment is high in Senegal. A common complaint from young Senegalese people is also that it is very difficult to find a job, even when you are qualified, if you don’t know the right people. Nepotism is rife, and this also affects a person’s desire to go overseas.
One participant said that young people do not trust political promises of wealth creation and that this distrust is based on experience. Politicians are seen as paying for votes and not spending money on job creation. A non-Senegalese participant suggested that it would be very difficult to break this cycle as there are no real external influences and therefore it remains a Senegalese political issue, which doesn’t show any signs of changing.
Millions of dollars are sent back to Africa every year by family members who are working overseas. It is estimated that around 500 Billion CFA comes into Senegal annually this way. There are neighbourhoods in Dakar which are being built on foreign investment from Senegalese people who are sending money back. This includes not only homes, but community resources such as schools and hospitals. It is generally considered that this direct investment from overseas by Senegalese is far superior to the projects promised by foreign aid, which often fail to transpire. One participant said that she had read a report about Western Union and the massive industry that there is in wiring money to developing countries.
What will change the situation
The economic context was seen as fundamental to the issue. Job creation could stem the tide of emigration. In the 16 countries of West and Central Africa, nationals don’t need a Visa to travel and it was suggested that it would be beneficial to promote more business and employment opportunities between these countries.
The economic context was seen as fundamental to the issue. Job creation could stem the tide of emigration. In the 16 countries of West and Central Africa, nationals don’t need a Visa to travel and it was suggested that it would be beneficial to promote more business and employment opportunities between these countries.
There was a discussion about the CFA and its dependence on the Bank of France. One participant suggested that only an African Economic Union could change the politics of the region, but that some countries will never join a common currency, and that there isn’t enough stability. Examples were cited of Ghana, which used its gold reserves to successfully institute its own currency, and Mauritania, where counterfeit currency is common and the project is seen to have failed. It was thought that only a union of a wide economic zone would provide the necessary checks and balances to prevent this sort of issue, or the kind of hyper-inflation that has happened in Zimbabwe. However, it was felt that as long as French interests in Senegal remain high, then it is very unlikely that there will be any change in the monetary system. The African Union movement (and its controversial Chairman Muammar Gaddafi ) was also mentioned as being a potential way for Africa to take control of its own future.
The point was also raised that Senegalese Presidents and other role models leave Senegal to go and live in Europe and America which does not inspire confidence in the populace.
The point was also raised that Senegalese Presidents and other role models leave Senegal to go and live in Europe and America which does not inspire confidence in the populace.
The role of education in immigration
Young people often see education as a way to leave Senegal. They often complain that being educated does not necessarily help to get a job here. As an example, there are medically trained Senegalese who cannot find a job here, for example midwives. The issue of ‘brain drain’ was discussed: those who are best qualified being the people who leave the country. This was also discussed as a city/rural issue as there are often more employment opportunities in the villages, but people do not want to live and work there.
Young people often see education as a way to leave Senegal. They often complain that being educated does not necessarily help to get a job here. As an example, there are medically trained Senegalese who cannot find a job here, for example midwives. The issue of ‘brain drain’ was discussed: those who are best qualified being the people who leave the country. This was also discussed as a city/rural issue as there are often more employment opportunities in the villages, but people do not want to live and work there.
Some people leave education to make money to try and pay to go overseas.
Aspects on the village – Senegal and European/States
Dakarois usually don’t want to leave Dakar to live in the village and the standard of living is not as high. People would generally rather try and find work abroad rather than go and live in a village. One participant quoted a documentary about a French assistance programme in Timba that quoted the problem of finding people who were willing to work there.
Generally it was thought that people in the cities were more open-minded and modern-thinking. It was suggested that there were more commonalities between the urban Senegalese and non-Senegalese people in the room than between urban and rural Senegalese people.
It was discussed that in many countries in Europe, the standard of living is thought to be superior in the villages and that some groups in society actively move to villages from the cities for a better standard of life. This is enabled by the infrastructures which exist and the fact that modern conveniences are available in villages there.
It was discussed that in many countries in Europe, the standard of living is thought to be superior in the villages and that some groups in society actively move to villages from the cities for a better standard of life. This is enabled by the infrastructures which exist and the fact that modern conveniences are available in villages there.
Many people leave the villages for education and work opportunities, which leads to more poverty in the villages.
Further reading
February 2007 news article about a migrant’s experience and Spanish policy
http://www.immigrationhereandthere.org/2007/02/post_11.php
Further reading
February 2007 news article about a migrant’s experience and Spanish policy
http://www.immigrationhereandthere.org/2007/02/post_11.php
More information concerning child migrants in the Canaries and their status
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=14187&flag=news
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=14187&flag=news
World Bank International Migration Program
http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTPROGRAMS/EXTINTERNATIONAL/0,,contentMDK:20665305~menuPK:1572911~pagePK:64168182~piPK:64168060~theSitePK:1572893,00.html
http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTPROGRAMS/EXTINTERNATIONAL/0,,contentMDK:20665305~menuPK:1572911~pagePK:64168182~piPK:64168060~theSitePK:1572893,00.html
2006 article about remittance in Nigeria
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/003986.html
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/003986.html
Article positing that remittance cost constitute a ‘poor tax’
http://www.libr.org/isc/issues/ISC24/A13-Mestrum.pdf
http://www.libr.org/isc/issues/ISC24/A13-Mestrum.pdf
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