ZiM Debate #12

[ Monday, 15 May 2006 ]

the dream of remigration - an illusion?

Start: 19.30
Begin Debate: 20.00
Location: Zwaanshals 474/ Oude Noorden in Rotterdam
Directions: tram 8 (direction Oostplein) or 4 (direction Molenlaan) from Centraal Station exit Bergweg/hoek Gerald Scholtenstraat


Speakers: Ilknur Kilic (NMI, Nederlands Migratie instituut), Habib el Kaddouri (stichting SMT), Manuel Rodrigues (Kaapverdiaans 55+)
Moderation: Mohamed Boukiour / Stichting Tawiza


The workers who came to Holland in the 1960's and '70's first had in mind to return to their homelands as soon as they would have enough money. For most, this plan did not work out. There was work and welfare in Holland, and that meant much more security than they could have offered their families at home. Thus only a small percentage returned to their countries of origin. Most men chose for getting their families over to the Netherlands and stayed on.

Still many older people hold on to the idea that at some point they will return. Has this dream of remigration become just an illusion by now? How do first generation migrants face the fact that they will spend their old days in Holland and not “at home” as they once expected to? Does this dream live on in the following generations?

This also begs the question as to whether and to what extent the dream of return can keep some migrants from realising the responsibilities and consequences of their migration. To what extent is the parents’ dream making it more difficult for the following generations to find a place in the society they live in and, willingly or unwillingly, are a part of?

And then there are those who did return. How are they doing? Are they happy with their decision? Is the place they returned to the same place they left and kept alive in their dreams?

Ilknur Kilic (NMI, Nederlands Migratie instituut), Habib el Kaddouri (stichting SMT), Manuel Rodrigues (Kaapverdiaans 55+)



Mohamed Boukiour / Stichting Tawiza