Borders in Globalization Review

Letter of Introduction

Michael J Carpenter — 2024-08-05

A brief introduction to the new issue, from the editors.

Narratives of Agency: Understanding the Refugee Experience through Paintings at the EU’s External Borders

Berfin Nur Osso — 2024-08-05

Despite a burgeoning interest in the “visual” in migration and border research, refugees’ own perspectives of how they represent their experiences of struggles with/against borders through paintings remain underinvestigated. This article seeks to fill this gap by providing a close and contextual understanding of refugees’ perceptions and their first-hand experiences of their struggles with borders with reference to critical border studies and visual approaches. Drawing on qualitative analysis of the paintings produced by en route refugee artists at the Hope Project on the Greek island of Lesvos, the article dissects the emerging visual narratives and practices. The article exposes three common narratives from the paintings regarding how the artists recount the perilous journeys of refugees from home toward the European Union, their everyday life constrained in Lesvos, and their future aspirations in a tide of freedom and uncertainty. These common narratives illustrate a sense of continuity between the past, present, and future of refugees’ migratory and life trajectories interrupted by the European border(ing) regime. As the article illustrates, the paintings reveal how refugees as socio-political agents challenge the state borders built against their mobilities and, in doing so, they also defy the symbolic borders fabricated against their identities.

Despite a burgeoning interest in “visual” migration and border research, refugees’ own representations of their experiences of struggles with/against borders through paintings remain underinvestigated. In this article, I provide a close and contextual understanding of refugee perceptions and their first-hand experiences of struggles with borders, while highlighting the political significance of refugee-produced artworks in borderlands. Inspired by critical border studies and visual approaches, I draw on qualitative analysis of 70 paintings produced by en route refugee artists at the Hope Project on the Greek island of Lesvos, dissecting the emerging visual narratives and refugees’ creative practices. Analysis exposes three common narrative themes of the paintings: the perilous journeys of refugees from their homes toward the European Union, their everyday life constrained in Lesvos, and their future aspirations in a tide of freedom and uncertainty. These themes illustrate a sense of continuity between the past, present, and future of refugee experience, interrupted by the European border(ing) regime. These narratives reveal that even seemingly depoliticized spaces, namely art workshops and paintings, can become hyper-politicized, recounting how refugees as socio-political agents challenge the state borders constructed to manage refugee mobility and defy the symbolic borders targeting their identity and political subjectivity.

Keywords: refugee artworks, migrant agency, European border regime, bordering, Greece, Moria.

Les mobilisations familiales pour le départ migratoire à partir de la Casamance (Sénégal)

Abdoulaye Ngom — 2024-08-05

Le rapport entre les salaires de base en Europe occidentale et en Afrique subsaharienne est d’au moins un facteur dix, voire nettement plus ; et il n’évolue guère. Beaucoup de jeunes Africains rêvent donc d’émigrer en Europe. La voie aérienne reste un privilège réservé aux familles des élites : pour prendre l’avion il faut un visa pour un pays européen. Sans visa il ne reste que la voie maritime, par navigation côtière le long des côtes africaines, et la voie terrestre à travers le Sahara. Ce sont ces voies très dangereuses et à l’issue aléatoire qu’empruntent chaque année des dizaines de milliers de migrants. L’article étudie le cas d’une famille de petits paysans-éleveurs vivant d’autosubsistance de l’intérieur de la Casamance, la région du Sud du Sénégal. Il permet de voir comment ce groupe familial de 42 personnes en vient à décider d’envoyer l’un des siens tenter d’entrer clandestinement en France, au risque de sa vie. Comment il choisit le migrant et se mobilise pour réunir les fonds nécessaires ; et ce qu’il advient des deux tentatives. Cette étude de cas donne une idée des étapes suivies chaque année par des dizaines de milliers d’autres familles en Afrique.

Mots Clés : Mobilisation, migration illégale, famille, voyage, Casamance

Customs Revenue in the Renewable Energy Sector: Evidence from South Africa

Jean Luc Erero — 2024-04-24

This report assesses the effects of customs revenues in the renewable energy industry in South Africa. After ESKOM (State-owned enterprise) presented the firm’s biggest loss of R9.7 ($0.6) billion in August 2009, several applications for higher tariffs were performed over the years. South Africa has been going through an energy crisis, with more loadshedding expected in 2024, which is predicted to hamper GDP development. Indeed, the country’s economy has been adversely disturbed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its improvement path is at this instant stifled by incessant power cuts. There is no doubt that this energy crisis will continue for a while in the future, and it is unlikely to get better soon. This policy report provides a customs revenue analysis of the market participants or entities in the renewable energy industry. This study adopted a pragmatic research methodology and found that the government could propose to the National Treasury the scrapping of value-added tax (VAT) and Customs Duties on the importation of solar panels and parts in order to help reduce the cost of purchasing for both businesses and households.

Franco–Italian Mont Blanc Dispute and Climate Change: Policy Perspectives after the Quirinal Treaty

Paola Malaspina — 2024-08-05

This policy report focuses on the border dispute between France and Italy over Mont Blanc in the context of climate change, examining the causes of the disagreement between the two countries and the effects of glacier melting on borders among Alpine countries. Adopting the approach of territorial singularities and mobile borders, the work analyzes the impact of initiatives such as the ETRS89 framework, which ensures GPS-validated mapping technologies in Europe, allowing measurements of border shifts. Insight is given to practices and agreements adopted by Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, such as two bilateral treaties incorporating mobile borders. Starting with a review of the current perspectives of cross-border cooperation between France and Italy after the recent Quirinal Treaty, the report suggests some steps that could be taken to strengthen synergies and mitigate the effects of the dispute: remapping the area, monitoring border shifts, and applying a shared regulation of access and off-limits areas across the entire Mont Blanc.

The Effect of World Customs Organization’s AEO Programme on Trade Facilitation in Zimbabwe

Rwatida Mafurutu — 2024-08-05

Despite Zimbabwe offering considerable trade facilitation benefits under its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, only 14 AEOs in total had been accredited at the time of carrying out this research from more than 3,000 transporters, 400 clearing agencies or brokers, 700 large clients, and 3,000 exporters and importers. In view of this low programme uptake, this author saw it justifiable to carry out this study. More so, it is the first of its kind to be undertaken in the country. The qualitative study sought to examine the effects of the World Customs Organization (WCO)’s AEO Programme on trade facilitation in Zimbabwe. Data was collected through a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and secondary data review. The secondary objectives were: a) to appreciate the trade facilitation developments in Zimbabwe, b) to review the AEO regulatory and legislative framework, and c) to understand the administration and management of the programme in the country.

Customs Laboratories and the Prevention and Detection of Customs Fraud: Two Case Studies

Secu Mihail — 2024-08-05

Customs fraud poses significant threats to global trade and national economies, demanding advanced solutions. This article delves into the vital role of customs laboratories in combating fraud, emphasizing their function in scrutinizing goods and ensuring compliance. By evaluating various case studies from Moldova’s Customs Laboratory, the research reveals the methods employed to detect fraud, exposing schemes like misclassification and VAT recovery. The findings underscore the need for ongoing investments in technology and international collaboration, highlighting customs laboratories as essential defenders of trade integrity. Policymakers, customs officials, and stakeholders can draw valuable insights from this study to fortify their anti-fraud strategies.

Green is Gold: Creating a Gold Standard AEO Program through Green Initiatives

Jamie Ferrill — 2024-08-02

This policy report examines the feasibility of extending Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs to include green trade practices. AEOs are supply chain security programs that play a vital role in enhancing the security and efficiency of international trade. A significant threat to global security is climate change. Considering how Customs administrations worldwide can actively contribute to efforts on this pressing issue is crucial. This policy report addresses the nexus of security, trade, and climate change to recommend how AEOs can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation principles. Employing a survey distributed to Trusted Traders within the Australian Border Force’s AEO, the authors find that incorporating green trade principles into the existing AEO and within the SAFE Framework is an achievable option. Integrating green trade practices and principles into AEO programs can significantly advance Customs’ efforts on climate change.

Construction abstraite: Frontière / Abstract Construction: Border

Laurent Reynès — 2024-08-06

Le Navire Avenir est un outil pionnier de sauvetage et de soin en haute mer, premier bâtiment d'une flotte mondiale. C’est un « ready-made pour le 21e siècle », une œuvre agissante conçue pour soutenir l'action des marins sauveteurs et contribuer à leur reconnaissance au Patrimoine culturel immatériel de l'humanité. « Comme toutes les œuvres d’art », écrit le collectif dans son manifeste, le projet « vise non seulement à changer notre vision du monde mais aussi à changer le monde lui-même ». Le manifeste complet suit, avec des illustrations du processus de création développé depuis 4 ans en Europe. Cette oeuvre doit encore être réalisée avec le soutien financier des citoyennes et citoyens notamment, via la plateforme www.navireavenir.eu.

The Vessel of the Future is a pioneering tool for rescue and care on the high seas, the first vessel of a global fleet. It is "ready-made for the 21st century" a proactive work designed to support the actions of rescue sailors and contribute to their recognition as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. "Like all works of art" writes the collective in its manifesto, the project "aims not only to change our vision of the world but also to change the world itself". The full manifesto follows, with illustrations of the creation process developed over the past four years in Europe. This work is yet to be realized with the financial support of citizens, particularly through the platform www.navireavenir.eu.

Selected Border Poems

Loris Ferri — 2024-08-05

These texts, published in the Italian collection Cinema Sarajevo (Ensemble 2022) and translated in English by Katie Webb, are born from a rib of the European project: REFEST, Images & Words on Refugee Routes (2018), which started in Sarajevo and developed in Croatia, Italy, and Spain, with eight Italian poets, sixteen Balkan photographers, and eight Spanish illustrators. These poems recount a cinema of lives with their pain, youthful dreams and delusions, the fear riding between two centuries, the truce of the war, and the desire for redemption beyond every exodus.

A Random Selection

Chad Norman — 2024-08-05

The two poems presented here were both written with gratitude for the freedom of expression I enjoy in Canada. “How To Know I Am A Human” is from my new manuscript, A Life Between The Brackets, which addresses several themes and topics I stay close to, including the natural world, climate events such as wildfires and hurricanes, and local and global politics. “The Erosion Of Borders” is from my 2022 collection, A Matter Of Inclusion, which investigates the decisions people make to leave their homelands to begin new lives in Canada. It is my most overtly political work to date.

Manifeste: Navire Avenir / Vessel of the Future: Manifesto

Collectif du Navire Avenir — 2024-08-08

Le Navire Avenir est un outil pionnier de sauvetage et de soin en haute mer, premier bâtiment d'une flotte mondiale. C’est un « Ready-made pour le 21e siècle », une œuvre agissante conçue pour soutenir l'action des marins sauveteurs et contribuer à leur reconnaissance au Patrimoine culturel immatériel de l'humanité. « Comme toutes les œuvres d’art », écrit le collectif dans son manifeste, le projet « vise non seulement à changer notre vision du monde mais aussi à changer le monde lui-même ». Le manifeste complet suit, avec des illustrations du processus de création développé depuis 4 ans en Europe. Cette oeuvre doit encore être réalisée avec le soutien financier des citoyennes et citoyens notamment, via la plateforme www.navireavenir.eu.

The Navire Avenir is a pioneering tool for rescue and care on the high seas, the first vessel in a worldwide fleet. It is “Ready-made for the 21st century”, a proactive work designed to support the actions of rescue sailors and contribute to their recognition as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “Like all works of art”, writes the collective in its manifesto, the project "aims not only to change our vision of the world, but also to change the world itself". The full manifesto follows, with illustrations of the creative process developed over the past four years in Europe. This work is yet to be realized with the financial support of citizens, notably via the www.navireavenir.eu platform.

The Good Postman: Romanticizing Refugees and Absolving States

Sinem Arslan — 2024-08-05

A film review of The Good Postman.

Separation and Resilience in 200 Meters

Murat Çemrek — 2024-08-05

200 meters dramatizes a wall's affect on a family separated between Palestine and Israel, ontologically breaking up the family lines. The film also questions whether the wall as an artificial barrier motivates people to come together.

Book Review/Commentary: Geo-politics in Northeast Asia by Iwashita, Ha, and Boyle

Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly — 2024-08-05

Review of Robert L. Nelson’s Frontiers of Empire

Victor Konrad — 2024-08-05