Goal
This Cornell University conference aims to create a space for addressing the increasingly important phenomenon of Colombian migration around the world by bringing together various disciplines and viewpoints. The Cornell Conference represents the second round of scholarly conversations on the multiple dimensions associated with Colombian migration. It builds upon the 2004 Harvard University conference that was hosted by the Harvard Colombian Colloquium and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. Flowing from this collaboration several collaborations emerged in association with the Colombian Studies Institute of Florida International University.
The conference has three main objectives: first, to inform academics, scholars, and graduate/undergraduate students within the Cornell community about relevant research on Colombian migration to the U.S. and elsewhere; second, to encourage networking among researchers that will facilitate on-going collaborations in interdisciplinary scholarship and public policy initiatives; and finally, to encourage and support students who may be interested in engaging in research on Colombian migration issues.
Background
Worsening economic and political conditions in Colombia have caused immigration to spiral. Escaping violence and searching for better socio-economic opportunities, an unprecedented number of Colombians have migrated to neighboring countries, such as Venezuela. Others have left for Europe, Central America, and the United States. According to the 2005 Colombian Census, approximately 8% of the Colombian population lives abroad and based on the U.S. 2000 Census, Colombians constitute the largest South American group in the United States.
Colombian immigrants are not a homogenous group. They include political refugees, workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and students. Migrants have blue and white-collar jobs and many overstay their visa or enter the country without proper documentation. Colombian immigrants are changing the political and economic landscapes of both Colombia and their host countries. Today remittances constitute the second largest source of international currency in the Colombia and are only surpassed by oil revenues. Yet, the impacts of migrant transnational relations, modes of incorporation, and their daily experiences are still unclear.
Scholars in different disciplines are grappling with various aspects of the migration phenomenon. For example, what are Colombians’ living conditions in the host societies and how do these compare to Colombian migrants in other countries? What are their forms of political behavior and to what extent do they participate in political decisions in their receiving and sending countries? What is the relationship between the Colombian conflict, experienced closely by many immigrants, and their modes of adaptation in receiving countries? How are national and local policies influencing incorporation? What types of cultural expressions have emerged as a result of the diaspora, both in Colombia and elsewhere? How are Colombians portrayed in the media? All these questions require an examination of the Colombian migration phenomenon via an interdisciplinary lens. While there are a growing number of studies focusing on the Colombian case, research on this topic is scarce. Therefore by inviting leading scholars and experts to engage in dialogue is critical. Ultimately we would hope the conference will establish a vehicle of communication among academics, researchers, and students that will result in a more nuanced and robust grasp of the significance of Colombian migration.
Organized by:
Claudia Pineda, Visiting Scholar, Latin American Studies Program, Cornell University
Email: cgp36@cornell.edu
Arturo Sanchez, Professor, City and Regional Planning, Cornell University
Email: as875@cornell.edu
Colombian Students Association, Cornell University
Email: COLOMBIANOS-L@cornell.edu