http://www.nestac.org Nestac Press Release http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/25-kol-settlement1 The UK Border Agency is making important changes to the ESOL provisions within the 'knowledge of language and life' requirement for people seeking settlement in the UK. These changes will come into force on 7 April 2010. 2010-04-02 08:00:12.00 http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/22-refugees-settlement The UK Border Agency has announced that refugees and migrants with humanitarian protection in the UK will be allowed to apply for settlement and British citizenship under the current rules if their initial five-year permission to stay here will end between August 2010 and the date when the new system of 'earned citizenship' comes into force (scheduled for July 2011). 2010-03-17 15:08:19.00 http://www.nestac.org/pages/press/shuku.htm At the request of Mr Shuku Dumbu Onalundula, Human Right Activist and devoted member of Congo Pax, in cooperation with members of the Congolese Community in Manchester, an anti-deportation meeting was held in Rochdale on Saturday, March 28th,2009. 2009-04-03 12:22:13.00 http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/mar/26/congo-pupil-deport Congo-born nine-year-old is a popular and successful pupil at a Manchester primary school. 2009-03-28 08:14:23.00 http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/latest-stats-asylum Quarterly statistics covering immigration and asylum, and reports of migration from Eastern Europe were published by the Home Office. 2009-03-02 11:32:37.00 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-let-asylumseekers-work-1609199.html The Church of England's governing body, the Synod, voted 242 to one to support the call to let people seeking asylum work. The Synod also said that a solution was needed for those who are refused asylum but cannot return to their home countries and that children and families should not be detained. 2009-02-24 09:25:18.00 http://www.thejc.com/articles/asylum-seeker-saved-deportation-shul-activists Swift action by synagogue members brought a last-minute halt to the deportation of a 62-year-old grandmother to the Democratic Republic of Congo last week. 2009-02-20 15:44:02.00 http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/community-news/19916/meeting-to-discuss-future-of-langley Nestac, who assist African immigrants settling in the area, and 3 other agencies will give presentations to attendees on Wednesday (11 February) on issues surrounding their work on the estate. 2009-02-10 12:24:08.00 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7857857.stm Campaigners say they will continue to fight the return of failed asylum seekers to the Democratic Republic of Congo. 2009-01-29 19:14:08.00 http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/briefings/2007/zimbabwe.htm The Tribunal found that the evidence before it showed a serious deterioration in the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, affecting a wider range of people than the criteria outlined in previous determinations.. 2009-01-12 11:32:37.00 http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/ukworkrestrictionsfora2 The government has accepted the recommendation of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) that the current restrictions on the employment of Romanian and Bulgarian nationals should remain in place. 2009-01-05 21:02:37.00 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/congo-refugees-call-for-uk-judges-to-show-mercy-1020491.html The fate of up to 5,000 failed asylum-seekers is resting on a High Court decision this week. 2008-11-17 08:22:32.00 http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2008-11-04-Bowlee-Park-Housing-hosts-international-festival Volunteers from Nestac in Rochdale provided advice on welfare benefits, job hunting, French and English courses. 2008-11-07 10:51:09.00 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm Democratic Senator Barack Obama says "change has come to America", after being elected the first black president of the United States. 2008-11-05 11:31:07.00 http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/tough-measures-hate The Home Office announces that changes in law will make it harder for extremists to enter the UK. 2008-10-28 11:46:37.00 http://www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk/ Nestac is associated with its partners for the Black History Month 2008 edition to celebrate diversity on Monday 27th and Tuesday 29th from 11:00 am at the Langley Children centre, Windermere Road, Langley, Middleton. Black History Month has been celebrated across the UK every October for over 30 years. 2008-10-22 11:10:42.00 http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/business-visitors-face-rules Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said, 'Now we are introducing an Australian-style points system for selective migration, it makes sense to tighten visit visas at the same time. 2008-10-16 13:01:22.00 http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/employers-warned-to-prepare Nestac has learnt that under strict new rules, those wishing to come to the UK on business for up to six months must apply for a dedicated new business visa. Businesses are called to action; they must apply for a licence if they wish to hire immigrant workers. 2008-09-18 16:26:34.00 http://www.nestac.org/pages/press/exodus2008.htm The annual Exodus Festival that celebrates Cultures from all over the world came off in Grand Style on Sunday the 31st of August at the elegant URBIS complex building at Manchester with various groups and artists participating. 2008-09-02 14:17:31.00 http://www.nestac.org/pages/press/karibu2008.htm Saturday 12th July saw flavours from the Afro-Caribbean coming together in the Civic Centre, as Heywood hosted the "Karibu Africa Event 2008". 2008-07-14 18:23:05.00 http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2008-05-15-James-Purnell-sees-good-work-on-Rochdales-Lower-Falinge-estate James Purnell met our members of the community's groups and New Steps for African Community (NESTAC) for over half an hour to discuss the positive developments within a community recently demonised by the national media. 2008-05-15 10:03:05.00 http://homelandsstorytellers.blogspot.com/ Storytellers have worked with NESTAC and Cartwheel Arts to create 'Homelands: Stories by African People in Rochdale' an engaging and thoughtful book conjuring images of 'home', be that here in the UK, or in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 2007-12-19 10:17:32.00 http://www.nestac.org/pages/press/immstat07.htm Nestac has learnt that 2,115 [87% of capacity] Persons were recorded as being in detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 30 June 2007. 2007-06-30 08:12:51.00 http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/community/rochdale_150/newrochdalians/s/516/516679_taking_first_steps_towards_a_better_life.html Helped by the Rochdale Centre for Diversity, Nestac - the New Step for African Communities - was formed in 2002 to act as an advice and information service and is composed entirely of 11 volunteers. 2006-08-20 09:22:01.00 http://www.nestac.org/pages/events/exodus2006.htm On Saturday the 24th of June during the Refugee Week, NESTAC took part as one of the participant organisations to the Exodus festival 2006 at Hulme Park, Manchester. 2006-06-25 17:37:06.00 http://www.nestac.org/pages/events/karibu2006.htm A celebration of African arts and Culture Sunday, 14th May 2006 NESTAC and Rochdale Carnival of Culture organised the KARIBU EVENT 2006, a Celebration of African Arts and Cultures in Rochdale. This Event demonstrated again the willingness of NESTAC to promote arts and cultures by the African Community (Immigrants, Refugees, etc.) in the Greater Manchester Area, especially in Rochdale. 2006-05-15 22:11:09.00