Migrant Vote
@migrantvote.bsky.social
This is a space for inspiration, motivation, and practical information on how to occupy democratic spaces as migrants and how to build and practice migrant leadership. Created by @tbuczkowska.bsky.social Sign up here https://migrantsvote.substack.com/
As migrants, we are asked to share our experience, which is then colonised as someone else’s expertise. When I published this 2y ago, I got many messages from people with similar stories. Have things changed? migrantsvote.substack.com/p/words-on-e...
Words on expertise
In the context of migration, the difference between the words expertise and experience captures the struggle for recognition and agency.
migrantsvote.substack.com
The Polish Diaspora in the EU voted for the centrist Rafał Trzaskowski (31.2%). US & Canada-based Polish migrants voted for the conservative Karol Nawrocki (29.7%) Both will go into the 2nd round. Far-right Slawomir Mentzen (14.8%) was 3rd & Grzegorz Braun (6.3%) fourth. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Poland election: Rafal Trzaskowski, Warsaw's liberal mayor, leads after first round
Rafal Trzaskowski is set to face conservative historian Karol Nawrocki in a second round run-off.
bbc.com
'Migration is a story of grief wrapped in gratitude.' 20 years in Ireland, a new job and my story written in my own words in the Irish Independent. This week is definitely all about gratitude. Link to the article below.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Teresa Buczkowska as its new CEO. Teresa brings nearly 20 years of experience as a leader in non-profit management, supporting migrant rights, and promoting migrant political participation.🧵
In 1 week, Poles will be electing their new president. Listen to how migrant leaders in Poland are mobilising migrants who have naturalised as Polish citizens to vote. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/this-conve...
This conversation has started and we should keep pushing it on.
In conversation with Dr Tade Omotosho on being a migrant election candidate in Poland and his engagement with politics as a response to a crisis affecting migrant communities in Poland.
migrantsvote.substack.com
We are pleased to announce that our 6th National Integration Conference will be held on Wednesday 21st May. If you are interested in attending, please go to our website to find out more and register. Link in bio 🔗
As diaspora we can vote on the future of a place we no longer live in. As migrants we can’t vote on the future of the place we live in. Why is this considered a norm? Voting should be about participation in democracy where we live not where we were born. More below. www.politico.eu/article/roma...
How George Simion became a right-wing ‘messiah’ for Romanians abroad
TikTok and ultranationalism propels hard-right chief to cult status among Romania’s diaspora.
politico.eu
What is the 'paradox of representation' & how does it affect migrant lives? migrantsvote.substack.com/p/when-migra...
When migrants are trapped in the paradox of representation their right to a heartbeat may be affected.
The number of elected representatives is decided on the number of a population, including migrants. Crucial decisions like abortion rights are being made in our names but without our participation.
migrantsvote.substack.com
1y since the launch of the Migrant Vote podcast. Listen to the 1st episode to learn the motivations behind it. Somebody said "If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late" & that is the feeling today... migrantsvote.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
Welcome to the Migrant Vote podcast.
The Migrant Vote platform is growing! I am delighted to introduce to you the Migrant Vote podcast.
migrantsvote.substack.com
We are spreading our wings!
Teresa Buczkowska@tbuczkowska.bsky.social · 2y agoPeople who grew up in a different political culture struggle to effectively engage in electoral politics. Generic workshop don't address migrant specific barriers. I'm currently delivering 'Electoral campaigning 101 for migrants' to the 2025 cohort of political interns @immigrationirl.bsky.social
Worth reminding that resistance is a teachable competency & here are the 4 key components to teach. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/resistance...
Resistance is a teachable competency and here are the 4 key components to teach.
An essential part of leadership building is the knowledge about teaching resistance. This article is a part of a series about frameworks for migrant leadership building.
migrantsvote.substack.com
A few reflections on what makes a person Irish. I wrote this piece about my Polish-Irish identity a few years ago for a book on what it means to be Irish. This is the day to bring it back. Happy St Patrick's Day everyone 💚🤍🧡☘️ migrantsvote.substack.com/p/being-hyph...
Being Hyphen-Irish
Following the anti-immigrant Dublin riots, it is a perfect time to share my essay about being Polish-Irish, especially since this text is going to be reprinted in a school textbook in Germany.
migrantsvote.substack.com
Which woman inspired your career? The list of women who opened doors for me is long, but on my inspiration list is only my grandmother's storytelling & my mum's voting. Everything else is secondary to the foundation on which I am building my career. #IWD migrantsvote.substack.com/p/what-my-mu...
What my mum taught me about voting as a migrant.
My mum taught me the value of voting as a citizen. For many years I thought that I had to look for other role models to teach me about the value of voting as a migrant. How wrong was I?
migrantsvote.substack.com
Happy International Women's Day. Shout out to all the women of a migrant background breaking the glass ceiling of politics. We see & appreciate you ♥️ #IWD migrantsvote.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
How do you increase your electoral chances if you have a migration background? Run as a migrant woman!
The candidacy of people of a migrant background during the 2024 local elections in Ireland presented a unique case study of full gender parity. What is the recipe for success of migrant women?
migrantsvote.substack.com
Irish support for independent candidates does not apply to migrants, yet migrants insist on running as independents. Should they reconsider? In conversation with Joe O'Brien, former Minister of State with Special Responsibilities for Integration. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/to-join-or...
To Join or not to Join. Party membership for candidates with migration roots.
Irish support for independent election candidates does not apply to people with migration roots, yet candidates in this cohort insist on running as independents. Should they reconsider?
migrantsvote.substack.com
How Afro-Germans prepare for the elections? Some will vote against their own interest because they believe their German citizenship elevates them above the rest who are the target (read migrants). Citizenship doesn't offer the same protection to minority communities... www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
We tell stories of injustice because we hope to incite change. How do we protect migrant storytellers from exploitation by researchers and other story harvesters? Here are some tips. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/giving-jus...
Giving justice to migrant storytellers is about reciprocity.
We tell stories of injustice because we hope to incite change. How to protect migrant storytellers from exploitation by researchers and other story harvesters when you are asked to give access to them
migrantsvote.substack.com
I just got 2 unexpected small contract offers. Perfect time to bring back what I wrote last year. I want to become an expert on migrants' electoral participation. I may not be there yet but my work resonates & people are back with new offers That feels good migrantsvote.substack.com/p/can-you-bu...
Can you build a new career path in one year?
The Migrant Vote platform is 1 year old. It is a perfect time to reflect on the last year to share learnings about changing a path mid-career.
migrantsvote.substack.com
What if everyone could vote? A new report by the Democracy Project, UK is out. static1.squarespace.com/static/6329c...
The Migrant Political Internship is an example of a best practice in facilitating inclusive democracy. Applications are open, and the deadline is February 21st. www.immigrantcouncil.ie/campaign/pol...
So no migrant Senator then 15% of Irish society without the right to vote left behind
The Journal@thejournal.ie · 2y agoRTÉ sports journalist Evanne Ní Chuilinn a surprise name among Taoiseach's 11 Seanad nominees. Ní Chuilinn said that becoming a Fine Gael senator is "an honour" jrnl.ie/6616402
No amount of D&I statements and programs will be as effective as making room at the decision-making table and sharing power. Congratulations Senator Eileen Flynn.
Teresa Buczkowska@tbuczkowska.bsky.social · 2y agoThis shows how meaningful support for diversity in politics (moving women & ethnic minorities into positions of power) can create a change. Senator Flynn was appointed to her 1st term, now she is re-elected. Congratulations. I wrote on this topic before links below www.donegallive.ie/news/local-n...
We have readers in 31 countries & 15 US States. Interest in votes for migrants is a growing trend. Subscribe to get information & tools to advance the democratic inclusion of migrants. migrantsvote.substack.com
2 things we can do to improve the electoral inclusion of migrants and satisfaction in democracy. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/less-satis...
Less satisfaction in democracy calls for more migrants in politics.
In 2024 more than 3 billion people voted, yet the satisfaction in democracy dropped below 50%. Diverse politicians and awaking voters’ enthusiasm are the sought-after antidote for democratic apathy.
migrantsvote.substack.com
The Irish PM has the power to nominate 11 Senators. Micheál Martin should nominate a migrant senator to give the 15% of Irish society excluded from voting a real voice in national politics writes @tbuczkowska.bsky.social in today's @independent.ie www.independent.ie/opinion/comm...
Teresa Buczkowska: Micheál Martin should nominate a migrant senator to give us a real voice in national politics
As children, we often learn about values and morals through animal fables. Think of Aesop’s hare and the tortoise teaching us about “more haste, less speed”. Here’s a condensed contemporary tale with ...
independent.ie
In the year of elections over 4mld people voted in 73 countries. How many people were trapped in the paradox of representation due to their migration status is unknown. Cross-border movement should not be a trade-off for the right to democracy. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/when-migra...
When migrants are trapped in the paradox of representation their right to a heartbeat may be affected.
The number of elected representatives is decided on the number of a population, including migrants. Crucial decisions like abortion rights are being made in our names but without our participation.
migrantsvote.substack.com
Seanad elections has 6 candidates of a migrant background, 4 at the Trinity panel & 2 at the cultural and educational panel. Will this year be the year for representation of migrant communities at the national level? Given the profile of some of the candidates even if elected it may not happen....
To mark the Irish tradition of Nollaig na mBan, or Women's Christmas, let's pay tribute to migrant women braking the glass ceiling of politics. migrantsvote.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
How do you increase your electoral chances if you have a migration background? Run as a migrant woman!
The candidacy of people of a migrant background during the 2024 local elections in Ireland presented a unique case study of full gender parity. What is the recipe for success of migrant women?
migrantsvote.substack.com
