SIXTH INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS CONFERENCE

WORKSHOP 40: Educational and Occupational Aspirations of Immigrant Youth

Wednesday, November 28, 2001
14:00 - 15:30


ORGANIZERS

Xin Ma
University of Alberta
Canada
Tel: 780-492-2621
Fax: 780-492-4345
E-mail:xin.ma@ualberta.ca

Baha Abu-Laban
University of Alberta
Canada
Tel: 780-492-7888
Fax: 780-492-2594
E-mail: abulaban@ualberta.ca

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

The focus of this workshop is on the educational and occupational aspirations of immigrant youth in different national contexts. The term "aspirations" refers to plans and expectations of youth for their education and occupation in the future. Most immigrant youth live in low-income families, and research shows that low family income is negatively associated with their educational and occupational aspirations. Aspiration is a particularly critical issue in immigration and integration, because, to a large extent, socioeconomic well-being of immigrant adults is rooted in their educational and occupational aspirations as immigrant youth. The workshop aims to provide comprehensive reviews of existing research evidence, new knowledge and policy implications from current research evidence, and new directions for further policy-relevant investigations. To highlight the international comparative aspect of this workshop, special attention is given to inviting presentations from different source countries in North America and Europe.

The workshop will be organized around such themes as how educational and occupational aspirations are different between immigrant and non-immigrant youth in different countries, what factors shape the educational and occupational aspirations of immigrant youth, why some immigrant youth from low-income families are so successful in developing high educational and occupational aspirations, and what social-cultural factors are responsible for both common and differential characteristics of immigrant youth regarding their educational and occupational aspirations across countries. The workshop will provide an opportunity for researchers, policymakers, and NGO's to exchange views on the subject and learn from each other. To facilitate a healthy dialogue, the organizers will ensure that as many of the Metropolis stakeholders as possible are involved in the workshop.

DURATION

We propose to have one 90-minute session. Presentations will take about 60 minutes, leaving about 30 minutes for an in-depth discussion of the issues involved and future research directions.

PARTICIPANTS

Chair: Baha Abu-Laban, University of Alberta, Canada

Presenters

Carl James, York University, Canada
Xin Ma, University of Alberta, Canada
Terry Wotherspoon, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Commentators:

Samuel Laryea, Human Resources Development Canada
Ana Maria Fantino, Edmonton Catholic Social Services