Latest news with #Roaa
Japan Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Tighter borders bar poor nations from summits — on poor nations
Sudanese climate activist Roaa should have been leading meetings with other youth advocates at a United Nations climate conference in Germany in June. Instead, the 24-year-old was at home, having wasted hundreds of dollars and nearly two months preparing for a visa that was denied in less than 48 hours. Many of her peers, mostly from the Global North, flew into the city of Bonn without a hitch. "I was the one who was leading the whole process, but I wasn't on the ground. I cried a lot, like literally every night," said Roaa, who asked that her surname and location not be published. "Knowing everyone is there (at Bonn), but you are not there maybe because of your nationality gives you a very bad feeling, like I'm less than those people," she said from her home in the Middle East after leaving Sudan in 2023 when civil war began. Stricter border and visa rules are increasingly limiting the participation of nationals from the Global South in high-level talks that tackle climate, global health, economic systems, conflicts and other pressing issues, policy researchers say. "We are the ones who are affected the most, but we are not in the room," said Roaa, a medical student. "Most of the conferences happen in Europe and in the U.S. They are talking on behalf of us." The rejections also have an economic cost. In 2024, Africans paid some 60 million euros ($70.10 million) for rejected Schengen visa applications, up from nearly 54 million euros in 2023, according to analysis by Britain-based research group LAGO Collective. Despite its lower volume of visa applications compared to other continents, Africa had some of the highest rejection rates from the European Commission, which issues Schengen visas for short visits to the European Union, the data showed. In recent years, far-right and populist parties have made gains in places like Italy, Sweden, Germany and the U.S., fueling anti-immigrant policies across Western countries, where most global conferences are held. Underrepresented Nations most vulnerable to climate impacts, from flooding to droughts and rising seas, are often among the poorest, the least polluting and underrepresented at global talks, according to U.N. climate body, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC, which hosts the Bonn summit and November's COP30 climate conference in Brazil, said it had no sway on visa processes, but had taken steps to diversify participation at its events by boosting the quota for Global South delegates. "The major international conferences are the places where big decisions are being made with respect to global commitments," said Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, director of politics and governance at Britain-based think-tank ODI Global. If those who are expected to implement global policies "are not at the table," it compounds the inequalities they have been campaigning to change, said Nwajiaku-Dahou. Despite providing details of her job, university studies, financial accounts and letters of support to attend the UNFCCC summit, Roaa was told she did not submit sufficient evidence to prove she would return home from Germany. Roaa said she was denied the visa even after an appeal. The European Commission said in emailed comments that cases are assessed according to the "purpose of stay, sufficient means of subsistence, and the applicants' will to return to their country of residence." 'Unfair' Ugandan HIV/AIDS youth advocate Joseph Robert Linda said he secured around $4,000 from sponsors to pay for flights, visa and hotel fees to attend last year's International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, only for his visa to be rejected. Linda said he was told there were "reasonable doubts" about the authenticity of his documents and his intention to leave Germany, leading to his visa refusal. "That was not fair at all to me because they gave me feedback just three to four days before the conference, so there is no way I could appeal," the 28-year-old said in a phone call. Although the majority of global diseases occur in poorer countries, where around 80% of the world's population live, only 4% of health summits were held in these regions, according to a 2021 paper by Harvard Medical School researchers that reviewed more than 100 conferences spanning three decades. Between 1997 to 2019, just 39% of health conferences analyzed had attendees from developing countries, said the study published in BMJ Global Health journal. While Linda was able to attend the conference virtually, he said that option required stable and affordable internet, something not available to people in many parts of the world. He said conference organizers should work more closely with authorities to get visas approved so more people can have their voices heard. Geneva-based group International AIDS Society (IAS), which runs the International AIDS Conference, said it has been switching its host city since 2023 after many delegates were unable to attend the year prior in Canada due to visa issues. Large conferences have to prioritize finding safe and welcoming spaces for "the most marginalized among us," an IAS spokesperson said. Sudanese medical student Saida, who was refused a visa to attend a medical workshop in Italy this month, said it was ultimately up to Global South citizens to keep demanding change. "You have to speak up ... This is a pattern that we see happening and that's something that needs to be changed," said Saida, who also asked that her surname not be published.
New Straits Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Visa hurdles silence Global South voices at world summits
Sudanese climate activist Roaa should have been leading meetings with other youth advocates at a United Nations (UN) climate conference in Germany in June. Instead, the 24-year-old was at home, having wasted hundreds of dollars and nearly two months preparing for a visa that was denied in less than 48 hours. Many of her peers, mostly from the Global North, flew into the city of Bonn without a hitch. "I was the one who was leading the whole process, but I wasn't on the ground," said Roaa. "Knowing everyone is there (at Bonn), but you are not there maybe because of your nationality gives you a very bad feeling, like I'm less than those people," she said. Stricter border and visa rules are increasingly limiting the participation of nationals from the Global South in high-level talks that tackle climate, global health, economic systems, conflicts and other issues, say researchers. "We are the ones who are affected the most, but we are not in the room," said Roaa, a medical student. "Most of the conferences happen in Europe and in the United States. They are talking on behalf of us." The rejections also have an economic cost. In 2024, Africans paid some €60 million for rejected Schengen visa applications, up from nearly €54 million in 2023, according to analysis by Britain-based research group LAGO Collective. Africa had some of the highest rejection rates from the European Commission, which issues Schengen visas for short visits to the European Union, the data showed. In recent years, far-right and populist parties have made gains in places like Italy, Sweden, Germany and the US, fuelling anti-immigrant policies across Western countries, where most global conferences are held. Nations most vulnerable to climate impacts, from flooding to droughts and rising seas, are often among the poorest, the least polluting and underrepresented at global talks, according to UN climate body, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC, which hosts the Bonn summit and November's COP30 climate conference in Brazil, said it had no sway on visa processes, but had taken steps to diversify participation at its events by boosting the quota for Global South delegates. If those who were expected to implement global policies "are not at the table", it compounded the inequalities they had been campaigning to change, said Nwajiaku-Dahou, director of politics and governance at Britain-based think-tank ODI Global. Despite providing details of her job, university studies, financial accounts and letters of support to attend the UNFCCC summit, Roaa was told she did not submit sufficient evidence to prove she would return home from Germany. Ugandan HIV/AIDS youth advocate Joseph Robert Linda said he secured around US$4,000 from sponsors to pay for flights, visa and hotel fees to attend last year's International AIDS Conference in Munich, only for his visa to be rejected. "That was not fair at all to me because they gave me feedback just three to four days before the conference, so there is no way I could appeal," said the 28-year-old. Although the majority of global diseases occur in poorer countries, where around 80 per cent of the world's population live, only four per cent of health summits were held in these regions, according to a 2021 paper by Harvard Medical School researchers that reviewed more than 100 conferences spanning three decades. Between 1997 and 2019, just 39 per cent of health conferences analysed had attendees from developing countries, said the study published in BMJ Global Health journal. While Linda was able to attend the conference virtually, he said that option required stable and affordable Internet, something not available to people in many parts of the world. Sudanese medical student Saida, who was refused a visa to attend a medical workshop in Italy this month, said it was ultimately up to Global South citizens to keep demanding change. "You have to speak up... This is a pattern that we see happening and that's something that needs to be changed," said Saida.
NHK
28-04-2025
- General
- NHK
Hoping for a better future: How a Gaza schoolgirl learns Japanese amid violence and uncertainty
Gaza schoolgirl Roaa was fostering her passion for Japan and its language ― and then the conflict between Israel and Islamic group Hamas broke out. The 17-year-old anime fan used to study Japanese online, but when the fighting began in October 2023, she and her family had to flee their home. They've been on the move ever since, staying at shelters and with friends. Roaa worried she'd lost the ability to access the resources to continue with Japanese. As the Gaza Strip death toll rose, staying alive became a priority. But as time went on, she found a way to continue learning ― thanks to an NHK World Japanese program. Japanese on the airwaves "When the internet was cut off after the war began, I thought I couldn't study Japanese anymore. Then I came across NHK World Radio teaching Japanese. I couldn't believe it," Roaa said. NHK World's Arabic service first received a message from Roaa last summer. She writes about her fascination with Japanese culture and language, which she was teaching herself online. She has now found a way to access the internet occasionally. With the help of NHK World program "Easy Japanese," she has resumed her studies. She sends messages to ask about grammar and how to improve her writing skills. NHK World's Arabic team has been conducting online interviews with Roaa to find out more about her current situation. Karima from NHK World's Arabic team speaks to Roaa online. Living in hardship Roaa described growing up relatively peacefully in the Gaza Strip with her parents, two sisters and three brothers. Since the fighting began, she and her family have moved 11 times, including to shelters at a school and a hospital. Sometimes they have had no electricity. Food is scarce and expensive, and there are long queues for humanitarian aid. Her original home has been partially destroyed, including her room. When her family evacuated in a hurry, Roaa could only take the bare minimum. Sadly, that did not include her Japanese notebook. "There are many things I miss, but especially my notebook that I left behind at home. My notes are probably full of mistakes, but I wish I could read through them again. "When we went back to see what has happened to our house, my room was burned and I couldn't find the notebook." Roaa misses her home. The joy of Japanese As a fan of Japanese anime, Roaa says she has always been fascinated by Japanese culture, especially the language. She likes its sounds and pronunciation. She was 14 when she started studying Japanese for fun using free online videos. Finding a way to keep learning while facing extreme hardship is a source of much-needed joy for her. "I was flipping through the channels on the radio, intending to listen to a news program," Roaa recalled. "Suddenly, I heard a voice in Japanese. I started recording the lessons every week with my phone, listening to them again and again, and writing down what I heard. It helped me regain a feeling of hope." When she is able to access the internet, she checks the program's website and downloads the script to see if her notes are correct. She loves the routine. Roaa's study space Roaa is now preparing for her final year exam to get into university. Her high school is closed because of the fighting, but she studies on her own. She says her dream job is to become an English and Japanese interpreter. She says in Japanese: "Daigaku de Nihongo wo benkyo shitai desu (I want to study Japanese at university)" *Please listen to Roaa's voice by clicking the video, which contains only audio and no images. For Roaa, studying is far from a burden. It gives her something to aim toward for the future, something she needs to get through the current hard times. Roaa's new Japanese notebook 'I hope for a better future' In an email in January, after a six-week ceasefire agreement was announced, Roaa wrote: "I was so happy when I heard this news. I finally felt hopeful. The atmosphere in Gaza is currently full of joy. The streets are full of life, with patriotic songs and mosque takbirs that express people's joy." She said she was looking forward to reuniting with her grandparents, uncles and aunts from whom she has been separated because of the conflict. On March 18, when Israeli forces resumed hostilities, Roaa reported that she and her family were safe. "When the attacks resumed, I was so frustrated and didn't feel like studying. For now, I'm just waiting for things to go back to the way they were. As for daily life, there's nothing which gives me joy," she said during a video interview. But even in that sad moment, Roaa remained determined to get to university and become an interpreter. Her final year exam is in June. "I hope the truce comes back and schools will reopen, because right now I cannot go to school and receive my education to prepare for the approaching exams. But even in this uncertain situation, I am determined to continue my studies. Gaza is not suitable for education or work now, but I hope for a better future," she said. Roaa studying Japanese
