Tide Turning Against Europe’s Immigrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said there are more than 200 million migrants around the world today. Europe hosted the largest number of immigrants, with 70.6 million people in 2005, the latest year for which figures are available. North America, with over 45.1 million immigrants, is second, followed by Asia, which hosts nearly 25.3 million. But is it worth the decision to migrate, especially in Europe, if the status that they get from the country is always on a limbo?

“LONDON, England (CNN) — They are cursed in cities and towns across Europe. On talk shows, in newspapers and in bars and cafes, they are dismissed as parasites, threatening social norms and culture. And when unemployment rises and governments impose cuts on public spending, the eyes turn again to the immigrants.

In France, once seen as a bastion of European egalitarianism, the issue of immigration and racial identity has shot to the top of the political agenda. Roma people, also known as gypsies, have been expelled under government orders, while the wearing of burqas and other Islamic face coverings in public is set to be banned.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has been accused of engaging in Nazi-style ethnic cleansing over the expulsions while the European Commission has threatened to take legal action over the treatment of the Roma.”

It isn’t just France, however, where expats are facing problems. Even with the world becoming a more global market, there are risks all expats face when relocating. Fortunately, the risk is usually offset by a good payment package and the experience itself, which is why despite the problems you’ll see more people picking up to immigrate now than ever.

Read More From CNN

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Are British parents better off bringing up their children abroad?

The goals of parenting are frequently debated. Usually, parental figures provide for a child’s physical needs, protect them from harm, and impart in them skills and cultural values until they reach legal adulthood. It is said to be challenging for expats to bring and raise their children abroad, but not for most of them in United Kingdom.

“HSBC Bank International interviewed over 4,100 expat parents around the world about their experiences of bringing up children abroad as part of their annual Expat Explorer survey.

Expats were asked to rank their new home according to such factors as the cost of raising children, the quality of education, and how easy it was for their children to integrate.

Overall, out of the 14 countries where HSBC said enough interviewees lived to make a “detailed analysis”, the UK was ranked as the worst country in which to bring up children.

Belgium came top of the list, with 81 per cent of expats there agreeing that the standard of education in Belgium was higher than in their home country and 68 per cent saying that childcare was better.

Spain, France and Germany took the next three places respectively, with the US ranking only slightly above the UK in 13th place.”

Read More From The Telegraph

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Kuala Lumpur: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours

Kuala Lumpur is the fifth most visited city in the world, with 8.94 million tourist arrivals in 2008. As a relatively young city compared with other Southeast Asian capitals such as Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila, most of Kuala Lumpur’s colonial buildings were built toward the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The structural design of Kuala Lumpur is a merge of old colonial influences, Asian traditions, Malay Islamic inspirations, modern, and postmodern architecture mix. These key traveler spots are the reasons why expatriates visit and even live in this seat of the Parliament of Malaysia.

“By design or lack of populace, Kuala Lumpur is Asia’s green capital, where monkeys scamper close to skyscrapers and the occasional boa constrictor slithers across six-lane traffic. Centered around a colonial inheritance of ordered landscaping and dominated by palm-lined freeways, K.L. offers room to breathe and to contemplate the meeting of cultures. And meet they do, with Malays, Chinese and Tamils augmented by an annual Arabian and Iranian invasion drawn by shopping and the Islam-lite atmosphere. The automotive merry-go-round can feel too suburban and downtown can seem sterile, but turn a corner and streets burst into exoticism and a riot of night markets. A restive art scene, driven by Malaysians’ ongoing quest for shared identity, gives K.L. further heft.”

Read More From www.time.com

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Beijing’s Expat Population

A substantial global community exists in Beijing; many are attracted by the rising foreign business and trade sector, some by the time-honored and prevailing culture of the city, and a few who just couldn’t resist the call of China.

And these are part and parcel of the growing population in the capital city. Much of the international community lives in the areas located in the Beijing CBD, Sanlitun, and Wudaokou. In recent years there has also been an influx of South Koreans who live in Beijing predominantly for business and education.

“BEIJING‘S sixth census shows that the expatriate community in Beijing has remained stable at 110,000, census officials said on Wednesday.

Gu Yanzhou, deputy director of the Beijing sixth population census unit, said that according to the census, the number of expats in Beijing is consistent with records from the local policy office, which showed there were about 110,000 at the end of 2009.”

Read More From The Straits Times

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Understanding “Big Australia”

The recent report on Australia’s population growth had sparked debates and speculations on how the country can manage the projection of having 36 million people by 2050. “Australia’s current growth rate actually reflects a type of “hyper growth” caused by the confluence of unique circumstances which will ease in the future. These include a high birthrate, Australia’s push into the international education services market, and the fact that this nation is (rightly) perceived as a safe harbour amid the global financial crisis.”

Read more from The Australian

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