Imatra is a small town with a population of 30 000 in eastern Finland, right next to the Russian border. Just beyond this division of the world's second biggest poverty gap (right after the border of Mexico and US) is another small town called Svetogorsk with population of only 15 000. The close proximity of the border has an effect on the local communities on both sides in a very concrete way.
Imatra is also located on the outer border of the European Union. 15 years ago the Berlin wall was torn down and the right for free movement of people was celebrated everywhere. After that controlling the movement of people has been the most developed part of the EU politics. New walls and camps, nicely called detention centres, have been set up. Thousands have died at these walls and millions of people living in Europe are forced to live underground without any rights.
The border camp is not going to Imatra to tell how things should be settled. Instead of that we want to understand the issues of borders and migration, bring some new ideas and points-of-view to the local community and develop our analysis of these issues.
PROGRAM
Workshops: freedom of movement, relation of European labour and migration policies, the war against terrorism and migration, detention centers, situation of Roma people in Europe, IOM, deportations...
Happenings: movies, music, panels, art exhibition, possibility to visit Svetogorsk on Russian side (you need to get visa beforehand).
And of course lots of hanging around with nice people.
CAMP
The camp will be organized in Ukonniemi Camp Site (
http://www.lomaliitto.fi/english/kohteet/camping/ukonniemi.htm), 5 km from center of Imatra. The camp fee will be 15 euros + travelling costs. Campers need their own tents. One cheap (1-2e) meal per day will be provided.
No Border Finland is able to help with travelling costs. Priority are people from Eastern Europe, and those who sign up first! Participating is free for people from Eastern Europe.
For the practical arrangements it is hoped that the participants would register during June: tapio.laakso (at) iki.fi / +358 50 325 0074
The border camp is not going to Imatra to tell how things should be settled. Instead of that we want to understand the issues of borders and migration, bring some new ideas and points-of-view to the local community and develop our analysis of these issues.
PROGRAM
Workshops: freedom of movement, relation of European labour and migration policies, the war against terrorism and migration, detention centers, situation of Roma people in Europe, IOM, deportations...
Happenings: movies, music, panels, art exhibition, possibility to visit Svetogorsk on Russian side (you need to get visa beforehand).
And of course lots of hanging around with nice people.
CAMP
The camp will be organized in Ukonniemi Camp Site (
http://www.lomaliitto.fi/english/kohteet/camping/ukonniemi.htm), 5 km from center of Imatra. The camp fee will be 15 euros + travelling costs. Campers need their own tents. One cheap (1-2e) meal per day will be provided. No Border Finland is able to help with travelling costs. Priority are people from Eastern Europe, and those who sign up first! Participating is free for people from Eastern Europe.
For the practical arrangements it is hoped that the participants would register during June: tapio.laakso (at) iki.fi / +358 50 325 0074
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