Meet The Forum: James

Volunteer – Social Enterprise Project

I volunteer at MRCF part time and am currently finishing a Master’s degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

Where do you live now? Where have you lived
before?

I’m currently living in the same house I was born in, just a short walk from MRCF in London. A life-long resident of RBKC…apart from when I was working in Siem Reap (Cambodia), Nairobi (Kenya) and studying in the (slightly less) exotic city of Bristol.

Why are you interested in migration?
A few generations ago many relatives of mine fled as refugees from Russia and Eastern Europe, and I’ve always been interested in migrant and minority identities. While working with Sudanese exiles campaigning at the International Criminal Court, I became very interested in European asylum systems and the difficulties they create in everyday situations.

What do you do at MRCF?
I’ve been designing and setting-up a fellowship for migrant and refugee social entrepreneurs which launched in March.

What do you think is unique about MRCF?
That it’s a user-led community forum enabling real participation for migrants and refugees – consolidating old skills, learning new ones and helping individuals and communities to develop and support themselves and others. The MRCF community hub building is unique and valuable.

What issues do you think are most important to
migrants in London?

The same issues that are important to everyone – housing, employment, family, community, happiness etc.

What are you looking forward to in the next year?
Working collaboratively to come up with innovative solutions to build capacity and financial sustainability for community organisations…and finally finishing my Master’s degree.

“We are… consolidating

old skills, learning

new ones and helping

individuals and communities

to develop

and support themselves

and others.

 

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