Concordia University

In recent years, immigrants and ethnic minorities in Europe and the United States have been mobilizing to protest the passing of restrictive citizenship and migration legislation, the rise of anti-immigrant and xenophobic attitudes, and the deterioration of their rights and working conditions. Hence, a growing literature in the fields of citizenship and migration, as well as social movement studies has been examining why and how immigrant activists mobilize in hostile environments and why and how they create alliances with some supporters rather than others. While most scholarship highlights that pro-immigrant groups, and especially civil society organizations, trade unions and radical left organizations can be pivotal in supporting the efforts of immigrants and ethnic minorities to mobilize for greater rights and recognition, there remain lacunae in our knowledge of the role of these actors in obstructing immigrants’ political claims. Additionally, as hostilities towards immigrants have been intensifying in recent years, cities have become highly politicized arenas for immigration and integration issues and the emergence of conflicts and alliances among ‘old’ and ‘new’ actors can me observed. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate why and how important variations in patterns of political participation and grassroots mobilizations occur and particularly how they are shaped by coalitions and conflicts among multiple local actors within the same national context. Based on extensive fieldwork conducted in Italy between 2013 and 2014 and on an in-depth analysis of discourses and practices of local actors in four cities in two regions, this presentation addresses the following questions: Why and how do immigrant activists mobilize in hostile environments? Why and how do they create alliances with some allies rather than others? What explain variations in forms of political participation and grassroots mobilizations at the local level? Using social movement theory to extend the concept of political opportunity structure to migration theories, this study examines how both institutional and non-institutional actors, including immigrant activists, get involved and compete in the local arena over immigration and integration issues, and assesses the mechanisms by which both conventional and non-conventional forms of participation are made possible, or obstructed, by the interaction of these actors. The analysis shows that coalitions, conflicts and racialization processes among pro-immigrant groups and immigrant activists greatly affect participation. In particular, ideological and political divides, combined with different ‘framing’ of the working and living conditions of immigrants and ethnic minorities in the receiving society by pro- immigrant groups, play a crucial role in shaping the kind of alliances and coalitions that are made as well as the channels of participation available to immigrant activists. Finally, focusing on the discourses and practices of immigrant activists, the study shows why they mobilize and why they create alliances with some local actors rather than others. It explains, moreover, their role in transforming local dynamics, especially by challenging their allies’ tendency to racialize them and speak on their behalf.

The Faculty of Fine Arts will host three IdeaLabs sessions in the Fall term exploring new ways to defy conventional notions of space. The first hour of each session features six to eight speakers. During the second hour participants break into groups to discuss ideas. Come join the conversation!

Hear three experts discuss charitable giving, family values and ways to impact higher education.

Join National Bank representatives for lunch and find out about internship opportunities at the Bank!

The future of work is changing, and no industry will be spared. Learning to become a leader for Industry 4.0 is critical. Dr. Anita Nowak will guide us through an experiential workshop and networking activity to learn what critical skills will allow you to thrive in the workplace of tomorrow.

The Policy Group at the Department of National Defence (DND) is currently conducting its 2018-2019 recruitment campaign for the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme (PORP). Find out more about the program!

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

CIBC is looking for passionate collaborators, innovators, advisors, and leaders to help them build the relationship-focused bank of the future. Find out more at the info session!

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

Hear passionate Concordia alumni offer career advice in a field that you may have never considered before: fundraising.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

In this webinar, Ana Marinescu, BComm 06, MBA 09, breaks down the critical skills you need to plan, launch and sustain your own micro-enterprise and successfully run a freelance business.

In this webinar, Ana Marinescu, BComm 06, MBA 09, breaks down the critical skills you need to plan, launch and sustain your own micro-enterprise and successfully run a freelance business.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

The sanctuary city movement is a transnational response to increased numbers of non-status migrants living and working in global cities – and it is gaining ground in Canada. Borrowing from the American model, municipal governments have played a role by promising all residents access to municipal services without fear. But unlike their American counterparts, Canadian cities and the federal government are not locked in overt political and legal conflicts over jurisdiction i.e. the authority to govern migration. On the one hand, the federal government has no official policy on sanctuary; on the other hand, cities have avoided contesting presumptions about the capacity of the federal government to project enforcement power at the local level. Nowhere is this more evident than the role of local authorities in the collection and sharing of information with the Canada Border Services Agency. At the same time, there is limited dialogue among local, provincial or federal governments about the role of cities in the governance of migration. This presentation will review instances of conflict and cooperation between local and federal authorities in Canadian sanctuary cities. Using Toronto as a case study, it will survey the conceptual relationship between sanctuary and jurisdiction and question the nature and vitality of policies that avoid conflict over the authority to govern migration. Special attention will be paid to the collection and protection of information from the incongruous standpoints of service delivery and border enforcement. The event is free and open to the public. L'évènement est gratuit et ouvert à tous. La présentation sera en anglais et sera suivie d'une période de questions bilingue.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

Get your picture taken by one of Concordia University's professional photographers for free!

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.

Our regular information sessions on the Concordia Student Exchange Program are the first step to studying abroad at one of our 174 partner schools in 39 countries worldwide, all the while earning credits that can go towards your degree back home! Drop in on our CSEP info session to find out more about this amazing opportunity.