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‘Real and Digital Experiences: Latin American Migrants in Australia’ is a symposium hosted at RMIT University support by the Social and Global Studies Centre (SGSC), School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) and the Migration and Diverse Communities Lab (Digital Ethnography Research Centre, DERC).

The 2018 Latin American symposium will address cultural, social, gender, education and labour themes related to the contemporary flows of people from various Latin American countries (Mexico and the nations in Central and South America and the Caribbean) to Australia. It will investigate both the real and digital experiences of Latin American permanent and transient migrants as they negotiate everyday life in Australia. According to the most recent ABS census (2016), Australia has a population from Latin American countries of approximately 136,000 people. Latin American migration to Australia has taken place in different waves with different motivations.

The majority of Latin American migrants arrived in Australia between the 1970s and 1990s. This was the first significant wave of Latin Americans and who entered Australia for humanitarian, political and economic reasons. Some Latin Americans who entered Australia during this period came as part of family reunions. This wave of migrants were permanent settlers and who have in one way or another integrate in the Australian society.

Currently most Latin American immigrants who make up the second wave, are a mixture of permanent settlers and transient migrants. The outward bound Latin American movement of both skilled and unskilled labour and the growing number of international students from within and outside the region has become commonplace.   

This migration and flows of mobility raise interesting questions as to how Latin Americans across both waves adapt, integrate or transit in a new and far away country other than their own? How are their identities, languages and cultures maintained or negotiated?  How are their different race, gender and cultural identities shaped or constructed by Australian society? Finally, how do Latin American migrants confront racism?

Cost: $25.00 (catering)

Convenors:

Dr. Glenda Mejía (e-mail: glenda.mejia@rmit.edu.au)

Assoc. Professor Catherine Gomes (e-mail: catherine.gomes@rmit.edu.au)

This symposium is hosted at RMIT University support by the Social and Global Studies Centre (SGSC), School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) and the Migration and Diverse Communities Lab (Digital Ethnography Research Centre, DERC).