Participation Of Migrants Research Articles

Sociocultural Influences on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Syrian Migrants in Turkey

We aim to examine the participation of Syrian migrants in social and cultural activities in Turkey and compare the frequency of participation with Turkish respondents. The second aim is to study the role and influence of participation in social and cultural activities on subjective well-being (SWB). Syrians who read Turkish books and visit museums and historical sites, those who invite or are invited by Turkish friends, and those who have Turkish friends are more likely to experience high SWB than Turkish respondents do. The findings also emphasize the critical role of socioeconomic factors, such as education, wealth, and income, in sociocultural participation. Thus, this study shows that integration and social inclusion should not be attributed solely to immigrants but should also rely on the efforts of the recipient societies since financial constraints and income disparities can potentially make it more difficult for migrants’ sociocultural participation.

Undocumented migrant workers as activist citizens: resisting citizenship exclusion through photovoice

ABSTRACT This article discusses the foregrounding of migrant activism through a photovoice project that emerged organically from groups of undocumented South Asian migrant men in Greece. It argues that this collective creative action against the criminalization of migrant ‘illegality’ constitutes an active act of citizenship that contests, from below, exclusionary citizenship rights and formal modes of inclusion into the body politic of a nation state. Isin’s concept of ‘activist citizen’ (2008) allows us to interpret migrant participation as a creative political mobilization that challenged their formal citizenship exclusion. The act of becoming intentionally visible through photo-taking and the multimedia installation allowed them to undertake constructive resistance against their forced invisibility and migrant abjectness. By representing themselves as empowered activist-citizens, and by using their photos, videos, and texts as evidentiary material, the undocumented migrant workers sought to destabilize dominant imaginaries and discourses that present them as fearful, deviant masculine others.

Pathways to educational integration: affordances and constraints on migrant children's participation in Swedish preschool teaching activities

ABSTRACT This study explores the integration of newly arrived migrant children in Swedish preschools, focusing on their participation in teaching activities. The research is part of a larger project examining how these children, who experience a double transition into both a new cultural and educational environment, become integrated into early childhood education and care (ECEC). The study investigates how different teaching activities either facilitate or constrain migrant children’s democratic participation. The research was conducted in two rural preschools with predominantly Swedish-speaking children and practitioners. The findings reveal that migrant children are more engaged during musical and physical activities, which rely less on verbal communication, compared to linguistically based activities. Teacher-controlled events, which consistently link language with resources, help maintain migrant children’s attention, while dialogic teaching practices often result in their disengagement. The study highlights the importance of structured and inclusive teaching practices to support the educational integration of migrant children.

A child-centred intercultural approach to the socio-educational inclusion of migrant and refugee children

The increasing trend of child migration, whether forced or voluntary, poses a challenge to policies aimed at ensuring social cohesion and protecting children's rights. Inclusive educational environments play a crucial role in the integration of migrant and refugee children by promoting intercultural dialogue and participation. This study aims to explore the potential of a child-centred approach to the socio-educational inclusion of migrant and refugee children in Europe, proposing a framework of inclusive interculturalism to address the specific challenges these children face in educational settings. A narrative review was conducted, examining a wide range of peer-reviewed sources to synthesise current knowledge on child-centred education and its applicability to migrant and refugee children. The review identifies key challenges in adopting a child-centred approach, including socio-cultural, linguistic and psychological barriers that hinder migrant and refugee children's full participation in education. It highlights the importance of promoting agency, cultural competence and emotional well-being through inclusive and intercultural educational practices. Implementing a child-centred, inclusive intercultural approach can promote social cohesion and reduce inequalities by ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality education and opportunities for personal development. However, more empirical research is needed to translate these theoretical frameworks into practical interventions.

More Than Altruism: Migrant and Refugee Civic Participation in South Western Sydney During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT COVID-19 disproportionately affected migrant and refugee communities in Australia, highlighting outdated communication practices. Despite social media's potential for two-way communication, current health messaging remains top-down. Community leaders are often utilised as message amplifiers, neglecting their ability to create engaging content. This paper explores the multifaceted nature of civic engagement within CALD communities, moving beyond traditional notions of volunteerism. Drawing on three case studies, the paper highlights the varied forms of civic practices undertaken by CALD communities, including advocacy, community leadership, and cultural preservation. It examines the challenges and opportunities these communities encounter in navigating complex power dynamics and institutional structures. Through a critical reflection on positionality and the researcher's role, the paper advocates for a more nuanced understanding of civic engagement that recognizes the diverse contributions of CALD communities to Australian society. This paper concludes by calling for more research and participatory approaches to document migrant and refugee agency, discussing implications for policy and practice.

ISSUES OF PROVIDING GUARANTEES AND SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR EAEU LABOUR MIGRANTS

Background: Today, the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter the EAEU) has formed its own labour market; however, in the current international environment, issues related to ensuring the health protection of migrants and their access to employment persist. Despite ongoing efforts within the EAEU to develop and deepen Eurasian integration and improve the regulatory framework, there is a need in the age of digitalisation to develop better access for workers to social protection and medical support systems. The relevance of this scientific article lies in the presence of problematic issues related to the fact that many migrants are not registered and lack the documentation to protect them legally and financially; this situation contributes to the development of informal employment and low labour productivity. Although the EAEU countries have established working and socio- economic conditions, the issue of ensuring health protection, access to work, and social protection for labour migrants remains unsolved. Methods: This article employs various methods of scientific cognition, including historical and legal analysis, comparative legal study, induction and deduction, as well as analysis and synthesis. It also applies the acts and regulations of the ILO. What is the role of protecting the socio-economic and labour rights of migrant workers as the main task of receiving states? In law enforcement practice, to what extent do the provisions of international agreements on the organised hiring of workers between receiving countries and countries of origin of migrants ensure the adaptation of migrants to the legal regime of the host country, the participation of migrants in the functioning of civil society institutions, and the monitoring of migration processes? How does national regulation of labour migration in integration associations of states rationally organise their actions on the principles of national treatment for migrant workers? Labour migration strengthens integration unions, creating strong social ties and developing civil society institutions within the boundaries of integration associations. Since state sovereignty is inextricably linked to the protection of the interests of fellow citizens in regulating labour migration, all states participating in regional integration are called upon not only to protect the rights of migrant workers but also to provide all conditions for migrants to fulfil their obligations to civil society. The study examined the free movement and provision of labour and social guarantees for labour migrants in the EAEU and compared their situation in the EU. It also surveyed labour migrants in the EAEU by questioning workers in education, medical care, and various private sectors. This article is based on the results of this study. This article examined the challenges in providing guarantees and social protection for EAEU labour migrants. It proposed improvements to legal regulatory mechanisms and outlined recommendations for improving and expanding opportunities for free movement while better safeguarding the social and labour rights of migrants in the EAEU. The study’s primary objectives were as follows: - Examining the provisions of the ILO Convention on migrant workers. - Collecting and analysing data on labour movement across the EAEU - Analysing international EU treaties regarding the legal status of migrant workers - Interviewing migrant workers in the EAEU on issues related to their provision of rights and guarantees under the EAEU Treaty. Results and conclusions: This study highlights the need to organise safe labour migration, provide labour migrants with full access to digital services, improve the system of vocational and technical education in line with labour market demands, as well as develop and implement a unified system for ensuring the safety of workers and their families. Successful adaptation in the host country is identified as a critical factor for both labour migrants and their families. The authors recommend adding a dedicated chapter to the EAEU treaty that would comprehensively address labour and social rights, along with their guarantees.

A comparative ethnic study on the urban integration of the migrant populations in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the process of urbanization

ABSTRACT This paper constructs an urban integration index system of the migrant population to compare differences in the level of urban integration among different ethnic groups on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study finds that Tibetan migrants have the highest level of urban integration, followed by Han and then Hui migrants. The migrants of each ethnic group have their own advantages in urban integration among the different dimensions used in this study. Han migrants have the highest level of economic integration, Tibetan migrants have the highest level of social participation, and Hui migrants have the highest level of psychological and cultural integration. There are also regional differences, with the level of urban integration of migrants in Qinghai Province being higher than that of migrants in the Tibet Autonomous Region. From the perspective of the different dimensions of integration, the economic integration of migrants in Qinghai Province and the social participation of migrants in the Tibet Autonomous Region have integration advantages. In addition, factors affecting the urban integration of the migrant population of different ethnic groups share some similarities and have some differences.

The role of inernational institutions of destination countries in the formation of Moldovan diaspora in the European Union

The following article analyzes the involvement of international organizations and EU states in the consolidation and development of the Moldovan diaspora in the European Union; the article also investigates the primary forms and mechanisms of stimulating these processes. The main international institutions participating in the implementation of programs and projects are the UN, the International Labor Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the OSCE, the ICMPD, and others. On a regional level Moldova is the participant of many specialized organizations and platforms in the field of migration: Eastern Partnership, FRONEX, EUBAM, Mobility Partnership, the Prague Process, the Budapest Process, the Söderköping Process, and others. Among the donors that provide Moldova with financial aid in the field of migration and diaspora are many EU states, the USA, and several other countries. The Moldovan government regulates the institutional framework and the mechanism of coordination of external aid provided by the international organizations and donor-countries. Moldova receives different kinds of financial, legal, and logistical aid from the EU for the regulation of migration, integration of migrants in the EU. The article lists European conventions that influenced the development of Moldovan policy in the field of migration and diaspora. Diasporas are viewed as agents of change. European institutions begin to focus in their policies on diasporas only starting with 2011. The EU insists on close collaboration between the diasporas and the countries of origin, considering that migrant integration is more effective by way of diasporas. It is necessary for civil society institutions to participate in the process of integration. Moldova adopts the positive practices of diaspora attraction, its support for the country’s sustainable development. Practice shows that it is necessary to make agreements not only in the field of labor migration and social protection, but also in the field of labor migrants’ legal protection. The increasing role of the diaspora is tied to the deepening collaboration with the civil society of the destination countries, the participation of labor migrants in the destination countries’ political life. It is important for every level of administration participate in the development and implementation of strategies for migrant integration.

Language distance and labor market integration of migrants: Gendered perspective.

This paper examines the distinct effects of linguistics distance and language literacy on the labor market integration of migrant men and women. Using data from the Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) 2018 in 16 countries of destination mainly from Europe and more than 110 languages of origin, we assess migrant labor force participation, employment, working hours, and occupational prestige. The study finds that linguistics distance of the first language studied has a significant negative association with labor force participation, employment, and working hours of migrant women, even after controlling for their abilities in their destination language, education, and cultural distance between the country of origin and destination. In contrast, linguistics distance is only negatively associated with migrant men's working hours. This suggests that linguistic distance serves as a proxy for cultural aspects, which are not captured by cultural distance and hence shape the labor market integration of migrant women due to cultural factors rather than human capital. We suggest that the gender aspect of the effect of language proximity is essential in understanding the intersectional position of migrant women in the labor force.

The Political Participation and Representation of Migrants: An Overview

<p>This special issue covers the participation and representation of migrants in contemporary politics. It focuses on two interconnected analytical dimensions: countries of residence and countries of origin as arenas of political engagement, and the supply and demand sides of political representation. The articles in the special issue advance the existing knowledge in migration studies and party politics both theoretically and empirically. They do so by proposing innovative analytical frameworks to assess the extent of participation and representation, and by bringing evidence that fosters a better understanding of the intricate relationship between migration and politics.</p>

Migrants’ Political Participation and Representation in Poland: What Do Political Parties Have to Offer?

Since 2018, Poland has been a net migration country, yet public debates on migrants and migration remain scarce and have been defined by a reactionary nature. This article, adopting a political opportunity structure perspective, focuses on political parties as the main actors shaping opportunities and constraints for migrant political participation and representation in Polish society. Based on a qualitative content analysis of party manifestos and parliamentary debates, and using the deductive thematic analysis framework, this study analysed three types of arguments parties have adopted regarding the admission of migrants. The findings revealed that Polish political parties, failing to see non-voting migrants as promising electoral targets, have weaponised the migrant issue and used it as an element of the partisan battle to attack opponents, especially during the election campaign period, instead of stimulating migrants’ political participation and offering them channels for representation.

Migrants away from the polls: explaining the absenteeism of people with sub-Saharan African origins in the 2022 French presidential elections

ABSTRACT The electoral participation of migrants in the country of residence has been often investigated through the lenses of motivations, preferences, and consequences. The literature to date has paid little attention to what factors inhibit migrants from voting, which is especially important in contexts where their absenteeism is an ongoing feature. To this end, our article aims to identify why French people with origins in sub-Saharan African countries did not vote in the 2022 presidential elections. This group of migrants is particularly inactive in politics. The qualitative analysis uses semi-structured interviews and one focus group with first- and second-generation migrants from sub-Saharan African countries living in France. The findings indicate that the main reasons for their absenteeism at the 2022 presidential elections have deep roots and are unlikely to change in the near future: feelings of non-integration, limited procedural knowledge about voting, and negative attitudes towards politics and politicians.

Factors of migrant children's participation in basic medical insurance in China: an empirical study based on DEMATEL-ISM method.

Deepening medical insurance reform is pivotal in promoting fairness, inclusiveness, and sustainability within the system, particularly by enhancing coordination levels and strengthening the interconnection between medical insurance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. In China, 71.09 million migrant children, who make up 23.86% of the total child population, exhibit lower participation rates in medical insurance compared to other groups. The health status of children serves as a crucial barometer for the country's socioeconomic standing and the quality of its medical services. Therefore, the inclusion of migrant children in basic medical insurance is essential for elevating their health standards and contributing to the accumulation of human capital. This study employed the structural-dynamic-process-result framework derived from synergy theory. It identified 18 factors influencing the participation of migrant children in basic medical insurance. Utilizing the DEMATEL-ISM method, the research analyzed these factors, culminating in the development of a comprehensive five-level hierarchical structure model. The research identified the medical insurance system's arrangements as central to influencing the participation of migrant children in medical insurance. The household registration system emerged as a critical factor with significant mandatory and motivational impacts. The study categorized the 18 influencing factors into three tiers: superficial inducing factors, intermediate influencing factors, and deep-rooted causal factors. These tiers demonstrate a complex web of interdependencies and influences, highlighting that encouraging migrant children's participation in medical insurance is a multifaceted systemic endeavor. This process necessitates collaborative efforts from families, schools, markets, society, and government bodies. To effectively foster the participation of migrant children in basic medical insurance, a strong focus on identifying and addressing core issues is required. This approach should be coupled with enhanced strategic planning and coordination skills to ensure that reforms and developmental strides are equitably beneficial. Recommendations include decentralizing children's medical insurance from local constraints, refining insurance system design, elevating the level of medical insurance coordination, and boosting insurance participation efficiency. Additionally, fortifying the collaborative dynamics among healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceutical sectors is crucial in building a united front to support migrant children's healthcare needs.

Learning Experiences in a Migration Context: California Adult Education in Spanish

This study contributes to an understanding of the motivation behind and meanings of the participation of adult migrants, based on their educational experiences within the Plazas Comunitarias program in California. Qualitative semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and a theoretical framework were conducted to guide the analysis. Making friends, learning for work, being able to help and becoming someone were the main motivations recorded. This study contributes to the scarce studies on the motivation in school education of adults and migrant adults. It demonstrates that when migrants are able to balance their time, family obligations, and financial resources, it becomes feasible to attend school and create opportunities to boost their self-esteem, and improve their social lives and living conditions. Challenges of the research include the response time to enter the Plazas Comunitarias program, and the fear of migrants to be interviewed.

Role of non-governmental organizations in post-relocation support of reservoir migrations in China: a just transition perspective

In recent decades, energy transition has been a major structural change worldwide to replace fossil fuels. Hydropower is a valuable renewable energy source which can mitigate the electricity demand of livelihoods and help to achieve the target of carbon neutrality goals. However, owing to the hydropower construction, involuntary resettles are suffering with land and socio-economic security. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in promoting a just transition for reservoir migrants. The present study examines the work of local NGOs in a reservoir resettlement area in China through semi-structural interviews, and participant observations followed by qualitative analysis. Study explores how the NGOs organize reservoir migrants to participate in post-relocation support (PReS) projects. The study finds that the organized participation of reservoir migrants in PReS is the key process required to achieve a just transition. Moreover, NGOs ensure that all affected reservoir migrants have equal access to development opportunities through the three linked levels of co-construction, co-management, and co-sharing through the elite-driven establishment of benefit linkages and fair benefit distribution, and ultimately achieve a standard of living for migrants. Organized participation improves the equity and sustainability of benefits for reservoir migrants, but organizing reservoir migrants requires firm support from the local, regional and national governments, and the trust of migrants in local NGOs. Findings further stated that the PRes policy still has some blank spot, therefore, it is necessary to frame robust policy frameworks to restore the livelihoods of reservoir migrants.

The Transformation of Moldovan Migrant Communities into the Moldovan Diaspora in the European Union: The Main Directions and Mechanisms

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the primary directions and mechanisms of transformation of moldovan migrant communities in European Union countries into the Moldovan diaspora. The authors identify, as primary mechanisms, the participation of moldovan migrants in the political and socio-economic processes of the country of origin; the development of the Moldovan communities' institutional potential; the policies of the Republic of Moldova for the consolidation of the Moldovan diaspora. The Moldovan diaspora plays an important role in the political life of the Republic of Moldova, actively participating in its electoral processes. Its participation in the origin country's economic life mainly comes down to monetary transfers. At the same time, among members of the diaspora there are those that desire to invest in business and development projects. Moldovan diaspora associations are active in most European Union countries.

Reciprocity in migration policy and labor market integration: A lab experiment

We experimentally study policy variations to examine economic migrants’ willingness to relocate to, and take up work in, a destination country, and, in turn, destination country citizens’ willingness to allow economic migrants to relocate to and pursue formal work in their country. We focus on economic migrants coming from less developed countries and citizens of more developed destination countries and find clear evidence for a reciprocal relationship between the individuals in these roles. The labor market participation of economic migrants co-moves with destination countries’ openness to welcoming them. However, open migration policy without the threat of restrictions leads to lower migrant labor market participation than when the threat of restrictive policies looms. Yet, while the existence of such a threat encourages migrants to work, the actual implementation of restrictive policies reduces migrants’ willingness to work. We conclude that thoughtful and balanced migration policies that consider the reciprocal relationship between migrants and citizens are crucial to support mutually beneficial co-existence in society.

Migrants' Voter Turnout in the Home Country Elections: Non‐Integration or Political Anchor?

The transnational political participation of migrants has been extensively analyzed in the literature. Previous explanations focus on individual determinants ranging from political interest or efficacy to social ties or socio-demographic characteristics. So far, little attention has been paid to the contrast between factors related to their lives in two different countries. The present article adds to this burgeoning literature by identifying and comparing the effects of several attitudes and behaviors of migrants in the host and home country on their voter turnout in home country elections. We use individual-level data from a survey conducted in 2022 on 1,058 Romanian migrants living around the world. The results indicate that migrants who remain anchored in the politics of their home country—without necessarily striving to return—and those who are engaged in their host communities are more likely to vote. Migrant voter turnout is not determined by poor integration in the host society.

Access to formal childcare among families of newly arrived migrants from non-EU countries in France

Labour force participation of female migrants from non-EU countries, particularly recently arrived, is lower than among other groups and more affected by the presence of children. While care responsibilities are the primary reasons for this situation—immigrant families have a lower use of formal childcare services and less possibilities to receive informal support—the respective role of structural constraints and norms and preferences in this result still raises questions. In addition, families from non-EU countries may encounter greater difficulties in accessing public services, including formal childcare. We explore the determinants of participation in early childhood education (ECEC) among families of recently arrived migrants from outside of the EU in France. We use the Longitudinal Survey on the Integration of First-Time arrivals (Elipa 2) carried out among third country nationals receiving a first residence permit in France in 2018 and focus on their small age children (0–2 years). ECEC enrolment rates are lower than in the general population, and this appears to be primarily linked to these families’ disadvantaged socio-economic position in the destination country. However, families’ distinct socio-economic and cultural resources, as well as their origin, also shape their use of public services. These results contribute to a better understanding of the specific needs and obstacles faced by these families, and identify potential areas for policy actions.

Qualitative Insights on the Importance of Sociocultural Contexts on Asian Indian Migrant Participation in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior.

Influences on physical activity and sedentary behavior may differ for migrants moving from their country of origin to a new country. This study aimed to explore the range of contextual factors that influence physical activity and sedentary behavior among Indian migrants, making comparisons with India. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 Indian migrants (10 men and 11 women) aged between 18 and 65years living in Melbourne, Australia. Data were analyzed thematically, coded inductively, and managed with NVivo. Participants perceived a lack of social connection as a key barrier to physical activity participation. Group-based physical activity fostered social connections. Cultural associations were sites to engage in cultural physical activity and integrate with other Indians. Australia's physical contexts (eg,availability of facilities and built environment) facilitated physical activity behavior. Workplace environments (eg,the nature of the job) prompted sedentary behavior. Other contextual shifts with migration related to activities of daily living (eg,shifts in transport [walking] behavior in India to a greater reliance on cars in Australia) and migrant-friendly health communication (messaging from Australian health/allied health practitioners). Sociocultural contexts remain key influences on migrant physical activity participation. Prioritizing integrated approaches and engaging insider codesign are important in tailoring and promoting migrant physical activity and limiting sedentary behavior.