Search Results (49)

Italy’s current migrant integration policies show limited effectiveness in fostering genuine social inclusion, particularly for migrant women who face compounded, intersectional discrimination. Although Italy has adopted international frameworks such as CEDAW and the Istanbul Convention, their implementation remains fragmented and weak. The absence of structured, accessible language courses and personalized integration pathways disproportionately affects migrant women, especially those confined to domestic roles or constrained by cultural barriers. The analysis highlights the Migrant and Inclusive Communities (MeCI) project as an example of a successful local initiative that used technology to enhance linguistic and social inclusion. However, its time-limited nature constrained by temporary funding and local commitment reveals broader systemic failures, including the lack of institutionalization of effective practices and excessive reliance on local actors and short-term funding. The article also stresses the importance of recognizing refugee status through a gender-sensitive lens, acknowledging forms of persecution specific to women. Overall, Italy’s integration policies are undermined by the absence of a coherent national strategy, a focus on emergency and security measures, and insufficient long-term planning. The document calls for comprehensive, rights-based, and gender-sensitive policies that prioritize empowerment, participation, and social inclusion. Full article

Following World Health Organization (WHO) validation of lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination as a public health problem, countries are required to implement post-validation surveillance (PVS) to detect potential resurgence and ensure sustained elimination. WHO’s guidelines released in 2025 recommend implementation of at least two of four PVS strategies—targeted surveys, integration into standardised surveys, health facility-based screening, and molecular xenomonitoring (MX) of mosquitoes. This review synthesised global evidence on PVS activities from 2007 to 2025 in the 23 countries and territories validated as having eliminated LF. Studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the WHO Institutional Repository for Information Sharing (IRIS). Data on publication information, surveillance strategies, priority populations, and operational challenges and enablers were extracted. Narrative synthesis using deductive content analysis was applied. Thirty documents from 17 countries were included. Targeted surveillance and integration of PVS with other health programmes were the most common approaches noted (reported in ten and nine countries, respectively), followed by MX (seven countries) and health facility-based screening (four countries). Surveillance often focused on migrants and previous hotspots, with operational challenges linked to limited funding, workforce, and supply chains. Documents indicated that Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, and South Korea developed sustained PVS through national policies and domestic funding. Findings highlight the need for clear, contextualised guidance to operationalise sustainable PVS in different settings. Full article

Refugees and asylum seekers (RASs) are among the most marginalised, vulnerable, and economically disadvantaged groups worldwide. As a result, many government and non-government organizations, including migrant-led community organizations (MLCOs), support RASs to improve their lives in their host countries. However, there is a lack of research on the role and challenges of MLCOs supporting RASs. Therefore, informed by the concepts of grassroots humanitarianism and ethnic capital, and based on data collected through focus group discussions, this article explores the rationale, activities, and challenges of Eritrean MLCOs in England. The findings indicate that MLCOs help fill some gaps left by government agencies by providing RASs with strong advocacy and support systems to protect their rights and meet their needs. Although volunteers with limited funding run these organizations, they utilise ethnic capital to provide knowledge, raise awareness, and deliver culturally sensitive services to RASs in their own language. This article advances understanding of MLCOs’ work and improves their services to better meet the needs of RASs. It also contributes to knowledge by highlighting MLCOs’ role as sites of learning and education. Full article

Cancer is one of the biggest health burdens for women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with the incidence of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer on the rise. Although preventive measures such as the HPV vaccination and population-based screening are available, access to them remains very unequal. Women in rural, low-income and refugee communities face additional barriers, cultural stigmatisation, low health literacy, gender norms and fragile health systems, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes. This review summarises the results of 724 peer-reviewed publications to assess the current situation of cancer screening in MENA and Mediterranean countries. The studies were classified into four dimensions: cancer type (breast, cervical, colorectal), behavioural constructs (awareness, uptake, education), vulnerability factors (e.g., migrants, refugees, low-literacy groups), and geography (indigenous MENA populations versus diaspora and Mediterranean immigrant communities). The results show large inequalities in access and participation due to fragmented policies, socio-cultural resistance and infrastructure gaps. Nevertheless, promising approaches are emerging: community-led outreach, mobile screening programmes, AI-assisted triage and culturally appropriate digital health interventions. Comparisons between the local and diaspora populations make it clear that systemic and cultural barriers persist even in well-equipped facilities. Closing the screening gap requires a culturally sensitive, digitally enabled and policy aligned approach. Key priorities include engaging religious and community leaders, promoting men’s engagement in women’s health and securing sustainable funding. With coordinated action across all sectors, MENA countries can build inclusive screening programmes that reach vulnerable women and reduce preventable cancer mortality. Full article

This article examines the development of Islamic education in Islamic primary schools in the Netherlands from 1988 to 2025. Since the early 1970s, the Muslim population in the Netherlands has grown significantly—initially due to labor migrants from Turkey and Morocco, and later as a result of asylum seekers from countries such as Somalia, Iraq, and Syria. The desire to practice and pass on their faith led to the establishment of mosques, educational centers, boarding schools, and eventually Islamic primary schools. In 1987, some of the founders of Islamic primary schools aspired to establish institutions similar to Madrasas, focusing heavily on Islamic instruction such as Qur’an recitation and Hadith studies. However, these ambitions could not be realized due to funding requirements. Others were inspired by the Imam Hatip schools in Turkey, which offer religious subjects such as Qur’an, Hadith, and Sira (the life of the Prophet Muhammad) alongside the national curriculum. Ultimately, a Dutch model of Islamic education emerged—partly influenced by the Imam Hatip concept, yet possessing a distinct identity. This study investigates how Islamic education has evolved in practice through semi-structured interviews, school observations, document analysis, and a national survey of religion teachers. The findings indicate that the desire to provide Islamic religious education was the primary motive behind the founding of the first Islamic primary school in 1988. Since then, this objective has remained central to school boards and parents alike. Religious education has progressed from fragmented teaching materials rooted in Arabic and Turkish contexts to coherent, Dutch-language curricula. By 2025, the teaching materials of Worden wie je bent (“Becoming Who You Are”) and the Amana have become dominant. Instruction encompasses not only religious knowledge and Qur’an recitation but also social-emotional development, citizenship, and sexuality education within an Islamic framework. Full article

Accurate population counts and the identification of granularity within aggregated groups are essential for informing funding formulas and health policies, an issue of global significance. Relying solely on aggregated ethnicity-based population counts has limited utility for ethnic minority groups. Accurate and relevant population counts are critical for monitoring and improving outcomes related to health, social welfare, and education. This paper examines additional dimensions of identity to provide a revised estimate of the total population count for Peoples of Fiji (PF) living in Aotearoa. Customised data tables from the Census of Population and Dwellings, provided by Statistics New Zealand, were analysed using ethnicity and additional recorded characteristics, such as country of birth, and parents’ ethnicity, to obtain more accurate counts for the major ethnic groups from Fiji living in Aotearoa. Our analysis revealed that almost 50,000 Fijian Indians were misclassified. Utilizing additional variables, we estimate the revised count for the Fijian Indian ethnic group alone exceeds 70,000 and the PF total count exceeds 2% of Aotearoa’s current population. We highlight significant variations in ethnicity coding for PF and their implications for health monitoring and risk assessment, data quality, and interpretation. We make key recommendations to improve granular reporting for minority migrant groups in Aotearoa. Full article

In the context of a European Union-funded project, a mentorship programme was developed and implemented in a Portuguese school serving as the initial destination for newly arrived migrant children. This initiative arose from a gap in interventions aimed at promoting integration and inclusion of migrant children in this educational context. The programme was designed, following the participatory action research and co-creation approaches, guided by three primary objectives: amplifying the voices of migrant children and youth, empowering their agency and active citizenship, and facilitating their integration in the school. Recognising that integration is a two-way process, the programme engaged established students as mentors and peers of newly arrived migrant children. Over an academic year, collaborative activities were created and implemented in the school in partnership with participating students. These activities aimed to promote integration, foster a pro-diversity environment, and ensure sustainability. The programme’s evaluation included a questionnaire and a focus group involving participating children and teachers responsible for the activities. Findings highlighted the cultivation of values like tolerance, respect, and empathy, with effects extending beyond the school. Moreover, results revealed heightened teacher awareness of the unique needs of migrant children and the importance of incorporating their voices into school activities. Full article

Climate-induced migration has emerged as a major concern in India and Bangladesh, due to their geographical vulnerability and socioeconomic conditions. Coastal areas, such as the Sundarbans and the Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta, face relentless threats due to rising sea levels, cyclones, and floods. These factors force millions to relocate, resulting in rural–urban transitions and cross-border movements that worsen urban challenges and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. For this, a systematic literature review of the Scopus database was undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A detailed review analysis of 65 papers was carried out. The study highlighted key climatic and non-climatic drivers of migration, including natural disasters, resource depletion, poverty, and poor governance. Despite existing adaptation strategies, such as early warning systems, micro-insurance, and climate-resilient practices, gaps remain in addressing long-term resilience and legal recognition for climate migrants. The research emphasizes the need for a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach, integrating adaptive infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods, and international cooperation. Recommendations include bridging research gaps, increasing community participation, and implementing global frameworks, like the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. Addressing climate migration through fair, inclusive measures is essential for building resilience and ensuring long-term development in the region. Full article

The Critical Pedagogies Research Team (PEDACRI-ULL) participates in the Program for the Inclusion of Migrants at Risk of Social Exclusion (PIPE) 2023-1-ES01-KA220-ADU-000160578, funded by the European Union. This project aims to design, implement and promote a transnational cooperation network to enhance the skills and competencies of migrants. Its purpose is to provide an educational response aligned with the European Commission’s Pact on Migration and Asylum.. Among its objectives, the program develops tools for professionals and institutions working with migrants, fostering collaborative learning to envision a culture of peace. In this essay, we explore the Pedagogy of Hospitality through critical pedagogies and the dialogue of knowledge. We propose a model of migrant citizenship based on an interlinguistic didactic relationship that promotes intercultural coexistence, grounded in an ethic of miscegenation. Furthermore, we advocate language teaching as a universal right and argue that hospitality should not be seen as an act of generosity but as a moral duty. This perspective supports an inclusive and just education, where language serves as a bridge for integration and mutual recognition. Full article

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant populations remained under-immunized due to limited access to health care, language barriers, and vaccine hesitancy. The USAID-funded MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project supported the government in collaborating with various local health and non-health partners to identify and vaccinate migrants. This case study examines the roles of project partners and the strategies each entity implemented to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among migrants, as well as the perceptions regarding the effectiveness of these strategies. Methods: We designed a qualitative explanatory case study guided by the Behavioral and Social Drivers framework and RE-AIM implementation science frameworks. We conducted 31 focus group discussions and 50 in-depth interviews with migrants, project partners, community leaders, and government stakeholders in Tamil Nadu and Punjab. Results: In both states, partnerships with health departments, private employers, and community-based organizations were essential for identifying and vaccinating un- and under-vaccinated migrant groups. In Tamil Nadu, collaboration with the Department of Labor and mobile medical units facilitated vaccination camps at construction sites. In Punjab, religious institutions organized sessions at places of worship, and the Border Security Force enabled health workers to reach migrants living near the border. In both states, key strategies—involving influencers to discuss the importance of vaccine safety and value, bringing vaccination services to migrants’ workplaces and homes at flexible times and mandating workplace vaccination to encourage vaccination—shifted perceptions towards vaccination and increased vaccine uptake among migrants. Conclusions: The strategies and partnerships identified in this study highlight the broader implications for future public health interventions, demonstrating that collaboration with the private sector and faith-based organizations can enhance routine immunization efforts, particularly when localized to organizations that understand community needs and can address specific barriers and motivators. Full article

Key populations are particularly vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Nearly half of Tajikistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) originates from labor migrant transfers. While not officially designated as a key population, over 300,000 migrants return to Tajikistan every year at increased risk for HIV due to absence or interruption of treatment, change in risky behaviors, and other factors. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the national registry system operated by the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection of individuals (n = 10,700) who had been diagnosed with HIV from 1 January 2010 to 30 May 2023. Individual HIV cases resided in five regions: Districts of Republican Subordination (DRS), Dushanbe (Tajikistan’s capital city), Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), Khatlon, and Sughd. We developed logistic regression models to investigate the relationships between key population status and demographic characteristics. GBAO has the largest proportion of labor migrants (49.59%), which is much larger than that of the other regions (<32%). In contrast to other key populations, there was a larger proportion of HIV cases in rural areas that were labor migrants (23.25%) in comparison to urban areas (16.05%). In multivariable analysis, the odds of being a labor migrant were 6.248 (95% CI: 4.811, 8.113), 2.691 (95% CI: 2.275, 3.184), and 1.388 (95% CI: 1.155, 1.668) times larger if a case was residing in GBAO, Sughd, or DRS, compared to Dushanbe, respectively. Our research contributes to the field by proposing to expand the definition of key population to include labor migrants in Central Asia who should be emphasized as a vulnerable population at high risk of HIV. We encourage policy action to provide designated HIV funding for labor migrants, increase international attention, and promote potential modifications of national regulations and/or laws regarding prevention and treatment of HIV among non-citizen populations. Full article

Climate change is among the greatest threats to health in the 21st century, requiring the urgent scaling-up of adaptation interventions. We aim to summarise adaptation interventions that were funded by the Belmont Forum and the European Union, the largest global funders of climate change and health research. A systematic search was conducted (updated February 2023) to identify articles on adaptation interventions for health within this funding network. The data extracted included study characteristics, types of interventions, and study outcomes. The results were synthesised narratively within the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 197 articles were screened, with 37 reporting on adaptation interventions. The majority of interventions focused on the general population (n = 17), with few studies examining high-risk populations such as pregnant women and children (n = 4) or migrants (n = 0). Targeted interventions were mostly aimed at behavioural change (n = 8) and health system strengthening (n = 6), while interventions with mitigation co-benefits such as nature-based solutions (n = 1) or the built environment (n = 0) were limited. The most studied climate change hazard was extreme heat (n = 26). Several studies reported promising findings, principally regarding interventions to counter heat impacts on workers and pregnant women and improving risk awareness in communities. These findings provide a platform on which to expand research and public health interventions for safeguarding public health from the effects of climate change. Full article

Agricultural employment in advanced economies has been suggestively described as a “short and step” pyramid with only limited opportunities for workers to climb to higher positions, especially when they belong to the most vulnerable categories, such as migrants. The presence of poor jobs and living conditions for temporary agricultural workers reported by mass media, trade unions, NGOs, and international observers contrasts dramatically with the idea of a modern and thriving sector, as the Italian agricultural sector should be, and it represents a challenge for the social concerns that have been alongside environmental ones in the definition of sustainability since the Brundtland Report released in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Even mechanisation does not necessarily facilitate better working conditions. In fact, where the workforce is largely replaced by machineries, the remaining opportunities for paid workers are mainly for unskilled, physically demanding, and seasonal jobs. This has brought about the so-called “paradox of prosperity”, where the gap between farm and nonfarm workers in economically advanced countries has widened in terms of wages, benefits, and prospects for upward mobility. This in turn triggers a vicious circle with a structural lack of available workforce for the sector, which has been increasingly provided by migrants with very little bargaining power. On the other hand, the adoption of new technologies and digitalisation in agriculture is leading to an increasing demand for skilled workers, which often remains uncovered because of the low conditions offered. Against this background, the aim of our work is twofold. First, we characterise the role of the foreign workforce in relation to the structural changes in Italian agriculture and considering territorial differences. Second, we examine the main policy instruments to facilitate recruitment and tackle undeclared work and more specifically the Quality Agricultural Work Network (Rete del lavoro agricolo di qualità) launched in Italy in 2016 to tackle undeclared work and exploitative labour. We do so by conducting a literature review and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 farmers in Italy carried out in 2022 within the project Rural Social ACT funded by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (2021–2027). The results show that even though foreign workers are a key resource for agriculture in Italy, there remain severe recruitment issues and segregation in low-skilled and precarious jobs. Overall, it is necessary to improve the awareness of the key role of work in agriculture and to strengthen the effectiveness of tools to enhance the visibility of compliant farms. So far (January 2024), only 6600 farms have joined the Quality Agricultural Work Network, with an overall modest enthusiasm from the farmers interviewed about its current effectiveness. Other instruments are explored such as employee sharing contracts, and there clearly emerges a need for public support of professional training through the Common Agricultural Policy to improve both the bargaining power of foreign workers and the productivity of the sector. Full article

Migrant remittances have become significant in poverty alleviation and microeconomic development in low-income countries. However, the ease of conducting global migrant remittance transfers has also introduced the risk of misuse by terrorist organizations to quickly move and conceal operational funds, facilitating terrorism financing. This study aims to develop an unsupervised machine learning algorithm capable of detecting suspicious financial transactions associated with terrorist financing in migrant remittances. To achieve this goal, a structural equation model (SEM) and an outlier detection algorithm were developed to analyze and identify suspicious transactions among the financial activities of migrants residing in Belgium. The results show that the SEM model classifies a significantly high number of transactions as suspicious, making it prone to detecting false positives. Finally, the study developed an ensemble outlier detection algorithm that comprises an isolation forest (IF) and a local outlier factor (LOF) to detect suspicious transactions in the same dataset. The model performed exceptionally well, being able to detect over 90% of suspicious transactions. Full article

Recent U.S. policy changes have contributed to longer waiting periods for migrant families in Mexican border cities. This study centers on four Honduran families enrolled in the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) policy, also referred to as ‘Remain in Mexico,’ while undergoing prolonged waiting periods in the Mexican border town of Monterrey, Nuevo Léon. Centering on young people’s voices, we ask what they learn during this prolonged period of transit. Through ethnographic and digital participatory storytelling interviews, we illustrate how children learned about the politics of border crossing through fraught interactions with im/migration officials, prolonged periods of immobility, and evolving understandings of legality. Building on theories of ‘border thinking’ and ‘politicized funds of knowledge,’ we highlight ways that young people employed their evolving understandings of national borders and the legal contours of their transborder asylum process, while protecting themselves and their families from danger and discrimination. We argue that transit is not simply time that young people are forced to endure; rather, the experience of forced transit is constitutive of young people’s learning about state power and their evolving understanding of borders, rights, and belonging. Full article