A brief history of Albanian migration in the UK - a roundtable discussion

The discourse of the British government towards the Albanian community in the UK has been inflammatory in recent years. Headlines of Albanian young men "flooding" the British shores and gaming up the asylum system have dominated the political rhetoric and mainstream media. The xenophobic rhetoric and punitive legislation directed today towards Albanian asylum-seekers and migrants has been at the center of debates on why Albanians were the latest scapegoat in British immigration policies. Relatively little attention has been directed to historically situating Albanian migration in the UK and the systemic racism towards the Albanian-speaking community. This panel will shed light on the various discourses surrounding Albanian migration in the UK by exploring the roots of Albanophobia with representatives of Albanian civil society, academics, and artists based in London.

Speakers:

Andi Hoxhaj, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, UCL

Art Haxhijakupi, Kosovo Albanian artist based in London

Kristina Millona, Independent Researcher

Kairo Urovi, Italian Albanian trans artist based in London

Luljeta Nuzi, CEO of Shpresa Programme, a charity that supports Albanian people to build community and make change.

Merita Avdyli, Founder and Director at Successful Mothers

Moderator

Piro Rexhepi, Alexander Nash Fellow, UCL

Image credit: Passport stamp from Durrës, Wikimedia