Integrating into the host society is an important aspect of migration. Yet this does not always go smoothly and there are several bumps to overcome. For instance, there may be cultural differences...Show moreIntegrating into the host society is an important aspect of migration. Yet this does not always go smoothly and there are several bumps to overcome. For instance, there may be cultural differences between the newcomer and the native society, which can lead to mutual misunderstanding. In addition, municipalities have an important and decisive role in the integration of a newcomer. They make and implement local or national integration policies and thus determine which requirements a newcomer has to meet. Based on the cases of the municipalities of Rotterdam and Vleuten-De Meern, this thesis examines to what extent local integration policies differ from each other and how this difference affects the integration process of newcomers. In other words, does it matter where in the Netherlands a newcomer integrates? The term local turn is important here: how does a local government implement national policy? This study on the integration policies of Rotterdam and Vleuten-De Meern found, based on policy documents, that differences are indeed visible between local policies. Rotterdam has developed its own integration policy due to the size of the municipality and their focus on discrimination and crime. In addition, the tone of their integration policy can be described as negative, mainly caused by the interference of the right-wing party Leefbaar Rotterdam. Vleuten-De Meern, on the other hand, was less susceptible to political discussions, as it was - first unofficially and from 2001 officially - attached to the municipality of Utrecht and followed national integration policy. In addition, the municipality of Vleuten-De Meern was small compared to Rotterdam, making it easier to resolve conflicts internally. It can therefore be argued that integrating in a large, multicultural municipality poses different challenges than integrating in a small municipality.Show less
In 1998, the Linkage Act came into effect in the Netherlands, linking the right to social benefits to a residence permit. Migrants who were unable to claim a residence permit, were to be deported....Show moreIn 1998, the Linkage Act came into effect in the Netherlands, linking the right to social benefits to a residence permit. Migrants who were unable to claim a residence permit, were to be deported. Fifteen Turkish women resisted the Linkage Act, and went on a hunger strike for 39 days. Women, who were also mothers, going on a hunger strike was a new phenomenon in the Netherlands. This thesis analyses the following research question: 'How and why did the fifteen Turkish women decided to go on a hunger strike and use it as a method of protest?' This thesis aimed to answer this question by using interviews with the hunger strikers together with an analysis on gender, motherhood, support, and avoiding a precedent.Show less
Veel Joodse overlevenden van de Holocaust kozen er na de oorlog voor om te emigreren. Het merendeel vertrok naar Israël, daarna waren de Verenigde Staten en Canada de populairste bestemmingen. Ze...Show moreVeel Joodse overlevenden van de Holocaust kozen er na de oorlog voor om te emigreren. Het merendeel vertrok naar Israël, daarna waren de Verenigde Staten en Canada de populairste bestemmingen. Ze verlieten hun geboorteland en trokken elk met hun eigen oorlogservaringen, achtergrond en verwachtingen de oceaan over. Waarom wilden zij niet langer in Nederland blijven? En waarom vertrokken zij naar de Verenigde Staten of Canada en niet naar een ander land? De vraag die in dit onderzoek centraal staat is: waarom emigreerden Nederlandse overlevenden van de Holocaust tussen mei 1945 en 1960 naar de Verenigde Staten of Canada?Show less
Research based on sources of the Dutch Intelligence Service (Binnenlandse Veiligheidsdienst, BVD). This thesis focuses on Dutch intelligence work on the newly arrived Moluccans in the Netherlands...Show moreResearch based on sources of the Dutch Intelligence Service (Binnenlandse Veiligheidsdienst, BVD). This thesis focuses on Dutch intelligence work on the newly arrived Moluccans in the Netherlands after the Indonesian War of Independence. The main finding is the potential relationship between Moluccans and (far) rights activists and political groups.Show less
Seasonal migration between France and Tunisia was established in 1963 and continues to expand to this day. It has found a resurgence in the European Union funded schemes in the last few years, the...Show moreSeasonal migration between France and Tunisia was established in 1963 and continues to expand to this day. It has found a resurgence in the European Union funded schemes in the last few years, the political appetite for cyclical, seasonal migration increasing. This thesis delves into the reasons that led France and Tunisia to establish, through a bilateral labour convention, one of the longest running seasonal migration schemes. It argues that this was rendered possible through the convergence of multiple socio-political factors thus creating what Kingdon, a political scientist, called a policy window. This policy window was correctly utilised by UNR government decision-makers for their political gain. The factors that led up to this policy window are a mixture of internal and external issues. At home, the newly founded UNR party needed stability after the Algerian incident, it looked to Tunisia to bring unanimity and silence opposition within its party. This can be demonstrated by the renewed summit and diplomatic efforts between France and Tunisia after the 1961 Bizerte Crisis. In addition, within the political arena, it continued to need more political support for its ambitious modernisation strategies. It thus catered to the CNIP, another prominent right-wing agricultural party within the national assembly. In 1962, with an increased problematisation of agricultural harvests, labour shortages and labour migration, the UNR cunningly merged both issues, thus bringing forward a succession of bilateral labour deals between France and Tunisia resulting in the 1963 labour convention, the cornerstone of all current OFII seasonal schemes. This ensured that France reinforced its international stance in Europe and with its Mediterranean neighbours while simultaneously catering to its agricultural voter base, thus perfectly balancing its internal voter base while expanding externally.Show less