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Holland's new immigration test: Intolerant people not welcome
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| EvilTree |
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...ernational/home
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Dutch come up with tolerance test
BRUCE MUTSVAIRO
Associated Press
Amsterdam — The camera focuses on two gay men kissing in a park. Later, a topless woman emerges from the sea and walks onto a crowded beach. For would-be immigrants to the Netherlands, this film is a test of their readiness to participate in the liberal Dutch culture.
If they can't stomach it, they need not apply.
Despite whether they find the film offensive, applicants must buy a copy and watch it if they hope to pass the Netherlands' new entrance examination.
The test – the first of its kind in the world – became compulsory Wednesday, and was made available at 138 Dutch embassies.
Taking the exam costs €350 (about $488 Canadian). The price for a preparation package that includes the film, a CD ROM and a picture album of famous Dutch people is about $86.50.
“As of today, immigrants wishing to settle in the Netherlands for, in particular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will be required to take the civic integration examination abroad,” the Immigration Ministry said in a statement.
The test is part of a broader crackdown on immigration that has been gathering momentum in the Netherlands since 2001.
Anti-immigration sentiment peaked with filmmaker Theo van Gogh's murder by a Dutch national of Moroccan descent in November, 2004.
Both praise and scorn have been poured on Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, the architect of the new test and other policies that have reduced immigration by at least one-third.
“If you pass, you're more than welcome,” Ms. Verdonk said. “It is in the interest of Dutch society and those concerned.”
Not everyone is happy with the new test.
“Today is a black day for the people intending to bring their partners to Holland,” said Buitenlandse Partner, a lobbying group for mixed Dutch/immigrant couples.
Dutch theologian Karel Steenbrink criticized the 105-minute movie, saying it would be offensive to some Muslims.
“It is not a prudent way of welcoming people to the Netherlands,” said Mr. Steenbrink, a professor at the University of Utrecht. “Minister Verdonk has radical ideas.”
But Mohammed Sini, the chairman of Islam and Citizenship, a national Muslim organization, defended the film, saying that homosexuality is “a reality.”
Mr. Sini urged all immigrants “to embrace modernity.”
A censored version with no homosexual and nude material had been prepared because it is illegal to show such images in Iran and some other countries, filmmaker Walter Goverde said.
“With all the respect I have for all religions, I think people need to understand that Holland has its own liberal side as well,” he said.
After viewing the film, which is available in most languages, applicants are then quizzed on important Dutch factoids such as the number of provinces that make up the Netherlands; the role played by William of Orange in the country's history; and Queen Beatrix's monarchial functions.
There are some major exemptions. EU nationals, asylum-seekers and skilled workers who earn more than $62,400 a year will not be required to take the 30-minute computerized exam.
Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Switzerland are exempt.
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| VERTiG0 |
Sweet, I don't have to pay $488 for a video!
I think it's a GREAT idea. Hooray Holland! |
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| Misanthrope |
| sucks about the cost, but i think it's pretty cool. |
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| nusty |
| quote: | Originally posted by VERTiG0
Sweet, I don't have to pay $488 for a video!
I think it's a GREAT idea. Hooray Holland! |
but the video shows boobies. I would love to explain that watching softcore porn is merely my way of getting ready for a test. :) |
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| MarkT |
If all of this soft core porn is made with hot Dutchies...then sign me up.
btw...how did the U.S. manage to get on the exemption list??? :p |
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| joinT |
toronto needs this.
doesn't affect you, but don't like it? take a hike. |
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| Tordan |
| quote: | Originally posted by joinT
toronto needs this.
doesn't affect you, but don't like it? take a hike. |
exactly... you wanna move to a country but can't stand it's culture or people then off! |
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| 7-4-7 |
| imagine how boring the Canadian video would be....hockey clips, Sue Johanson and her dildos....and Tim Hortons videos of french crullers receiving their last dollop of artery clogging icing.....if we are lucky we will get Hollands rejects..... |
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| kabelicious |
| quote: | Originally posted by joinT
toronto needs this.
doesn't affect you, but don't like it? take a hike. |
Can we make this a US requirement as well? And have all current US citizens take part as well? |
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| INTRANCE |
| quote: | Originally posted by Tordan
exactly... you wanna move to a country but can't stand it's culture or people then off! |
+1 - I used to live in Denmark right before major immigration started and it was wonderful, now there is so much BS to deal with, all because the new immigrants didn't agree with how the country was run. |
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| drgoodvibe |
| quote: | Originally posted by Tordan
exactly... you wanna move to a country but can't stand it's culture or people then off! |
comes back to the whole melting pot or mosaic ideology I think. Do you annex new immigrants and make sure that they adjust to "Nationalistic ideaology" or do you allow them to live with their own idealogy as long as they abide by the law? |
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| EvilTree |
| quote: | Originally posted by drgoodvibe
comes back to the whole melting pot or mosaic ideology I think. Do you annex new immigrants and make sure that they adjust to "Nationalistic ideaology" or do you allow them to live with their own idealogy as long as they abide by the law? |
And problems arise when the immigrants try to adjust the country to what they want (such as implementing sharia laws)
Oh, and screaming that their rights are being violated when such demands are not met.
Problem with 'multicultural mosaic' vs 'melting pot' is that there is no sense of pride in their new country.
For example, whenever the Canadian national soccer team plays another nation in places like Mtl and Tor, it's like being at an away game for them. (Hence, why they play their home games at places like Edmonton and Calgary, where they are being cheered more often than being booed). US also suffers from similar syndrome. Like Mexico playing US at LA for example.
Nationalism is a powerful and dangerous force in hands of people who can manipulate it. But, lacking nationalism is also bad, as it allows a nation to be exploited by others who only want to take advantage of a nation and care not to contribute it.
It's ok to be proud of your homeland and your heritage. But it's also important to be proud of your new homeland and its heritage. (Esp when you have citizenship of new homeland!) |
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