The African LGBTQI+ Migration Research Network is pleased to announce its first call for submissions (edited collection): LGBTIQ+ migration on, from and to the African continent.

"This edited collection seeks to contribute to this urgent scholarly conversation by bringing together diverse inputs on topics related to LGBTIQ+ migration on, from and to the African continent. We have a particular interest in what happens when borders, sexualities, genders, identities, languages and mobilities come up against the histories, trajectories, futures and imaginaries of what Mbembe (2007) calls the ‘geographical accident’ that is Africa."

Expressions of interest – short abstract (200-250 words) and a biography (150 words) are due by September 13, 2019. Please send all abstracts and enquiries to almresearchnet@gmail.com, addressed to either B Camminga or John Marnell (African Centre for Migration and Society, University of the Witwatersrand).

In an article by the New Yorker, Isaac Chotiner describes how separation and detention changes the lives of children. 

The article discusses how child development experts are concerned about the psychological impact of separation and detention on children. Jack P. Shonkoff, Professor of Child Health and Development at the Harvard School of Public Health, says the forced and abrupt separation of children from their parents is a huge psychological trauma and assault. Another issue is the prolonged placement of children in institutional settings.

Moreover, the American Psychological Association has released several statements on the effects of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, stating that they “pose serious harm to the psychological well-being of immigrant children, their U.S.-born siblings, and other family members.”

June 20th marks World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees around the world. 

The UNHCR has also released its annual global trends report today. According to a CBC News Article, Canada took in 28,100 of the 92,400 refugees who were resettled in 25 countries in 2018. 

A striking concern however is that "the number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict worldwide ballooned to over 70 million — the highest level since the Second World War and an increase of more than two million from a year earlier — an overall total that would amount to the world's 20th most populous country."

Our new blog ECHOES features an original contribution by Professor Warren Dodd and Ms. Amy Kipp where they discuss migration from rural Honduras and the role on investment in increasing opportunities for educated youth. In their article, they describe how 97% of the graduating class was planning to migrate away from the community.

Read more here.

According to an article in the Toronto Star, Doug Ford's government is removing the child benefit that assists families on welfare with providing food and clothing for their children.

"The cut, buried in April’s provincial budget, will end the Transition Child Benefit which provides up to $230 per month, per child in families on welfare who are not receiving the Ontario and Canada child benefits, such as refugee claimants."

The cut is scheduled to start November 1 and will impact an average of 16,000 children a month province-wide, according to the government.

The Carework Network is organizing a 3-day conference to bring together carework researchers from across disciplines and across the globe. The conference will be exploring important topics such as migrant care work and gig work.

The conference will take place from June 9-11, 2019 at Hart House, University of Toronto. Registration is currently open.

According to the CCR, Bill C-97, the federal budget bill, includes changes to the refugee determination system that will put many people at increased risk of being sent back to face persecution, in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and of Canada’s international human rights obligations.
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The Finance Committee was originally scheduled to study most of Bill C-97, including the refugee determination parts. However, thanks to broad advocacy efforts, the refugee provisions in the budget bill (Bill C-97) have been sent for study by the Citizenship and Immigration Committee.

Take action by contacting Members of Parliament and Senators to protest at the inclusion of these offensive provisions in a budget bill, where they will not receive the attention they need. Share this document that explains the concerns. 

An exhibition on the LGBTQI refugee experience is now on display at the Daniels Spectrum in downtown Toronto. The 'AM I WRONG TO LOVE?' exhibition is on until July 31st. 

The portrait series explores the stories of 20 refugees from 10 different countries who have all fled their home countries because of their gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

On Thursday May 16, the 5th Annual Toronto Newcomer Day will be taking place at Nathan Phillips Square from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Toronto Newcomer Day is an annual event held in May that welcomes newcomers to Toronto, helps them understand and access a range of services, and celebrates their contributions to the city. The event features a number of activities such as a formal stage program, a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, tours of City Hall, a newcomer marketplace, and an information fair.