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| Virtual Shelters Update |
| David Garcia |
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After a shaky start the "virtual shelters" project of an on-line environment by and for refugees" and "asylum seekers" is now underway. |
Interestingly agencies and "centers" we contacted said that they would pass on information to refugees and that they were confident that there would be interest. From these sources no one came. But through other more personal networks the response has been successful. The view among refugees attending the workshop yesterday was that none of these agencies were to be trusted.
There was great enthusiasm among the group for a source of reliable information. One of the key points that came out of yesterday's meeting was the need for a "frequently asked questions"<faq> for refugees...to provide "vital information for social survival" And the feeling was that this could only be trusted if those with the most at stake took charge. I hope that other TMLs particularly the Boarder Panic group from Sydney might contribute questions to the faq. Of course the laws of every country may differ but many of the questions might be the same. Below is a short report mentioning other topics that were touched on.
* Virtual Shelters meeting 1. 13/9/2002
Refugee group meeting with N5M, Imagine IC, Expert Base. People with different skills working to develop on line space for expressive and practical purposes:
Points of discussion:
* develop a list of Frequently asked questions by and for refugees, asylum seekers, migrants Existing agencies in Holland were accused of providing inadequate information. No reliable sources for legal and practical information.Lack of information=fear. We ask other TMLs working with refugees or issues pertaining to refugees to add to this list.
* Stories. In the present political climate existing government agencies are unwilling to take many risks. In our workshop we experienced both anger coupled with a burning desire to tell stories. The main discussion was should such a site be to raise awareness of people in the Netherlands or afford practical information to refugees.
* Security. There was also a requirement that the site should afford the possibility of security and anonymity for its users Is that possible on the internet (which has been called the new panopticon) all users are always traceable by the authorities?
* Cosmopolis. Finally we discussed the possibility that if all the European cities are no longer welcoming to refugees that a city might be established that was only for refugees. We imagine that this would become very popular with many citizens in Europe. Ironically in of counties Denmark created in 1974 the only free city within a city Christiania.
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