Uncategorized – Page 4

African intermediary cities as actors in urban migration governance. A blog mini-series by Janina Stürner-Siovitz (2)

First post: Making the case for migration research with African intermediary cities

by Janina Stürner-Siovitz

According to the OECD, Africa is the continent with the fastest urban growth worldwide, with a population expected to double between 2020 and 2050. Two-thirds of this growth will take place in urban areas, with intermediary cities exhibiting particularly high growth rates and forecast to absorb about half of the overall increase in urban residents.

African intermediary cities as actors in urban migration governance. A blog mini-series by Janina Stürner-Siovitz (1)

Framework: African intermediary cities and urban migration governance

by Janina Stürner-Siovitz

Interviewed in the context of a study on migrant- and refugee-sensitive COVID-19 responses, a representative from the Tunisian city of Sfax highlighted that the municipality considered proactive engagement on mixed migration and social cohesion both timely and relevant. However, as a subnational entity of a state without a national migration framework, the municipal authorities lack politico-legal mandates and resources to address such issues. Nevertheless, the city of Sfax finds ways to take action on mixed migration through local and transnational cooperation with civil society actors, migrant associations, local and regional authorities, and international organizations. For example, city representatives are collaborating with the NGO Terre d’Asile Tunisie on a project to strengthen the coordination among local actors on questions of migration. Having said that, the municipal scope of action gained through such multi-stakeholder collaboration remains limited so far.

“What is Migrant Hospitality?”

by Tara Tarana

Former American President Obama once said, “Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger—we were strangers once, too.” He was referring to extending hospitality to immigrants who arrive in the United States of America.

“What is Urban Sanctuary?”

by Vivian Whalen

Urban sanctuary refers to practices and policies typically associated with “sanctuary cities”. Sanctuary cities have emerged over the past decades in the USA and Canada as cities that seek to protect migrants and refugees from federal immigration enforcement. In addition, these cities seek to offer municipal services, including education and access to medical treatment to migrants independent of their legal status. While there is no one agreed-upon definition of what a sanctuary city is, these cities are meant to be areas where migrants and refugees do not need to fear deportation and are able to feel that they belong in the urban community where they live and work.

First post: Making the case for migration research with African intermediary citiesby Janina Stürner-Siovitz

Framework: African intermediary cities and urban migration governanceby Janina Stürner-Siovitz

by Tara Tarana

by Vivian Whalen

First post: Making the case for migration research with African intermediary cities

by Janina Stürner-Siovitz

Framework: African intermediary cities and urban migration governance

by Janina Stürner-Siovitz