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Vietnamese diaspora in Poland: opportunities and challenges

Vietnamese diaspora in Poland: opportunities and challenges. Grażyna Szymańska-Matusiewicz Poland-Asia Research Center University of Warsaw. General characteristics. Biggest migrant community from outside Europe 20.000-40.000 people (mainly residing in Warsaw and other big cities)

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Vietnamese diaspora in Poland: opportunities and challenges

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  1. Vietnamese diaspora in Poland: opportunities and challenges Grażyna Szymańska-Matusiewicz Poland-Asia Research Center University of Warsaw

  2. General characteristics • Biggest migrant community from outside Europe • 20.000-40.000 people (mainly residing in Warsaw and other big cities) • Similarities with other Vietnamese communities in Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Russia, former East Germany)

  3. Overseas Vietnamese in numbers

  4. Origins of Vietnamese migration • Students and workers exchange programs between Soviet Bloc countries (1950s-1980s) • Second-wave migration – economical reasons (after 1989) • Genesis different than in case of American Vietnamese  differences in the political views and attitudes towards SRW authorities

  5. Structure of Vietnamese community • First-wave migrants • Children of first-wave migrants (second generation migrants) • Second-wave migrants

  6. Benefits & opportunities: Business activity • Trade (cloths, shoes) – trade centers in Wólka Kosowska • Oriental bars & restaurants • Companies producing Asian food (Tan Viet company)

  7. Trade centers in Wólka Kosowska

  8. Trade centers in Wólka Kosowska • Complex of wholesale trade centers • Biggest distribution point for goods from Asia in Eastern Europe • Owners: Chinese, Vietnamese; traders and workers – mainly Vietnamese • Situated 30 km from Warsaw • 1600 job places

  9. Bilateral trade Poland-Vietnam

  10. Economic cooperation between Poland and Vietnam Unused potential Vietnamese diaspora in Poland Personal networks Polish-speaking, Polish-educated Vietnamese in Vietnam

  11. Cultural benefits • Introduction of multiculturalism into monocultural society • Attempts to integrate Vietnamese into broader society – initiated mainly by Polish organizations and activists

  12. Cultural benefits

  13. Dangers & challenges • Isolation of some segments of Vietnamese diaspora (illegal migrants) • Illegal activities: drug trafficking, smuggling, financial malversations

  14. Migration policy • „Polish migration policy” – document adopted in July 2011 • Amnesty act for foreigners (from 01.01.2012) – opportunity for the illegal migrants to gain legal status • Importance of leading thoughtful policy, which enables Vietnamese to gain legal status and integrate with the broader society

  15. Thank you for your attention

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