“We cannot and should not stop people from migration. We have to give them a better life at home. Migration is a process not a problem” – William L Swing


Certainly 2016 wouldn’t be 2016 without Brexit. A conference at Gumley House Convent School brought 220 students from 4 schools. Questions were darted at the contributors on addressing a key global issue:


‘Free movement, every individual’s right?’


On the day, a contributor included a person from Migrant Watch whose opinions on migration were not clear to the audience. Although he showed no direct comments about migration being a problem he did state that the “number” of people coming to countries should be controlled. However his opinions were not made clear when asked how migration should be controlled. A Gumley student described his views as “too contradictory and he didn’t really back anything up, so it was hard to believe.”

 

Someone who left the Democratic Republic of Congo shared his story of “hardship, extreme poverty, violence and the loss of family members.” After coming to the UK he gained an MA in Anthropology of Conflict, Violence and Conciliation. His story created sympathy from many students. His thirst for knowledge meant that he was driven to success and the right to have a good education. Now he is a university lecturer, is involved in initiatives to promote peace and is an author. Certainly the opportunity to move freely has meant that people like himself can live a stable and happy life.

 

Discrimination has no place in the UK. The idea that people travel to seek safety and search for a better standard of living itself shows the admiration to the UK. Migrants have many skills including health services, construction and agriculture. The net contribution from migrants between 2000 to 2011 was £20bn yet there is still abuse and discrimination being made towards migrants. Many people accuse immigrants of “stealing our jobs”; is this the case? The verb “stealing,” itself doesn’t make sense; as if the jobs were already theirs and had been taken away from them, nonsense.

 

Immigration has been going on for a long time. Hatred and prejudice should not be thrown at people. We must remember that the movement of people is part of who we are as a country.

 

Milcka Berhane, Gumley House Convent School