Soli*City | Urban Sanctuary, Migrant Solidarity, and Hospitality in Global Perspective: A Partnership Project

Re-imagining Urban Sanctuary and Migrant Solidarity: Policies, Practices, and Perspectives Panel at the Annual Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Conference.

By Mishika Khurana and Olivia Noun

There are many approaches for supporting vulnerable and undocumented migrants and refugees at the local level. The Re-imagining Urban Sanctuary and Migrant Solidarity: Policies, Practices, and Perspectives panel organized by Soli.City at the Annual Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Conference examined this issue. This panel brought together scholars and graduate students to explore the intersections between urban spaces, sanctuary, and migrant solidarity. The panel’s four speakers, Jessica Jung, Rasha Arous, Bridget Collrin, and Tara Tarana explored the policies, practices, and perspectives that can contribute to creating more inclusive and supportive environments for migrants in urban areas. Cities are centers of social change but still experience significant challenges to the meaningful inclusion of vulnerable migrants and refugees.

Dr. Derese Kassa – placing Africa in the spotlight

by Maria Genet Drejer-Jensen

There is a long-established pattern of intraregional migration in Africa. With approximately 21 million documented African migrants having relocated within the continent, internal migration in Africa is higher than African migration outside the continent (approximately 19 million). The number of intraregional migrants is likely to be even higher, as many African countries do not track migration, and the factor of undocumented migrants is also to be taken into account. Dr. Derese Kassa from the Sociology Department at Iona University, studies the refugee spaces and sanctuary city practices available to African migrants within the continent.

The Future of Cities and Migration: A Metropolis International Special Symposium

by Paola Buconjic & Nick Dreher

The Future of Cities and Migration: Inclusion of Precarious Migrants and Refugees special symposium brought together academics and practitioners to discuss the main challenges that precarious migrants face in urban settings as well as the approaches cities are taking to support their needs. The special symposium was part of the 25th Annual Metropolis Conference held in Berlin in September 2022.

Project Partners Gather in Berlin for Research Summit

by Maria Drejer-Jensen & Nick Dreher

On September 5th, Soli*City marked a major milestone when its members from Latin America, North America, Europe, and Africa gathered in Berlin to present the results from the project’s first year of research at their second project summit.

Improving Policies and Services for Newcomers with Disabilities in Canada

by Emily Matesic

“What does an accessible Canada mean to you?” Is the question that Canada’s first-ever disability minister, Carla Qualtrough asked Canadians. For Canadian immigrants, the answer may vary. Language barriers, long wait times, and lack of transportation are just some of the issues many newcomers face when accessing healthcare in Canada. Cities in Canada are taking steps towards improvement by providing essential services such as English and French language classes, free drop-in clinics that do not require insurance and educating the public on how harmful stereotypes and discrimination are to newcomers in Canada. While these improvements are beneficial, further developments can help integrate immigrants with disabilities into sanctuary cities. This post will discuss improvements in the area of accessibility as well as potential policy changes that could improve the lives of newcomers with disabilities in Canada’s largest city.