23: In a few years Spain has become a destination for people...

In a few years Spain has become a destination for people from Africa, Eastern Europe and, of course, Latin America. Legislation has become more strict (almost restrictive) and every day is more difficult to gain a residence permit. I hope she'll be able to stay with us. Really.

5 comments so far...

kodaky October 18, 2007, 10:18 PM

:p
I have some brazilian friends working, studying, trying to live in Europe. As a social scientist, I study some about cultural diversity and cultural politics.

I read this book: "The challenge of diversity: integration and pluralism in societies of immigration". Recommended!

xcib October 19, 2007, 01:16 PM

Oh, you would find our case interesting... we are not really a cosmopolitan culture (we do not accept foreigner customs easily) but we've absorbed a big and quick increase of the immigrant population quite well. I'm surprised and delighted for this but life is still very hard to many newcomers. And even with a high qualification (as Eleonora has) it's difficult to achieve the rights to freely work and reside.

kodaky October 19, 2007, 02:37 PM

Cultural boundaries are hard to overcome - I dont mean to erase them. First, we should think better of this work-market-consumism vicious circle... this "system" is forcing these waves of migration, forcing workers to move around the world, chasing work. Highly qualified jobs in europe(?), low qualified jobs in developing countries...

What I mean is, instead of thinking about laws for immigrants to grant rights like work, health, insurance, retirement, etc. It would be better if Eleonora didn't HAVE TO move there for work. It would be much better if it were just an option. But now, the options are unbalanced. Does any european (highly or not so highly qualified) think about moving to Latin America or to Africa for work?

Cross cultural contacts are good... sometimes come out to be good. The history of Spain proves this, and more recently, Brasil also. Culture enriches. There is no cosmopolitan thing if there are no "exquisite cultures".