Hefzi, I'm not sure what your 'expertise' is, however, whilst many in Calais may not have fled a war zone, many have fled persecution by tyrannical regimes, which gives them a right to safety under the Geneva Convention. There is nothing disingenuous in saying most people in Calais are not simply seeking a better life, but are fleeing death, torture and unimaginable horror. To say they simply seek a better life and compare your own desire, as a fairly affluent woman of the West, to their position, is ridiculous and quite sickening.
'I personally would like to move to Canada or Australia for a better life, not to mention significantly higher salaries, both of whom have points system: but despite the fact I have two PhDs, professional qualifications, and am multi-lingual, my age (early 40s) and profession means that I cannot just move - like many specialised and educated individuals who want to come to the UK, I could only do so if an employer could first prove they couldn't recruit within their national borders for their post, and then sponsored my visa. That's the way the world works, I'm afraid - there are national borders, and countries restrict immigration to people they need, and people in need of help'.
Whilst there is a points system, there is also a system for asylum for people fleeing unsafe places. These are the people in need of help and the UK is currently ignoring their obligations.
'The doctors and nurses from West Africa, trying to come over here for a better life for them and their kids - of course I understand it: but is is moral and just we take the skilled staff those countries desperately need?'
If they are leaving because of torture and persecution, it is moral to offer them a home. Whilst they may have 'skills', what use are they when persecution means they can't use them anyway.
Your Ugandan friend isn't a great example unless she has seen family members killed or tortured.
'The bottom line is- it sucks, but the world isn't fair, or just'. This is no justification for not helping people in Calais. There are international laws in place which state that desperate people can and shoud be helping. Flouting these laws is appalling.
'you seem very passionate and idealistic'
I don't think being passionate or idealistic is much to do with it. Wanting the suffering to be protected rather than shunned and scapegoated is not a pie in the sky ideal for me. The flouting of and relinquishment of these ideals sets a very dangerous precedent and a strong indication of how Cameron and his ilk will treat everone if a terrible calamity oremergency situation hits the UK.
'perhaps you could focus your passion towards seeking just solutions to the inequalities that lead people to risk everything to leave their homelands in search of a "better life"?'
That's an interesting sentiment, but I can't solve wars or punish despotic regimes. I can call for m countr to do it's bit though, and for Europe to do more. The root causes are being exacerbated by countries like the UK. The refusal of the UK to even process people in Calais so we can see how credible their claims are, does nothing to service to anyone.
I think Calais IS a pressing concern. People there are being tear gassed and beaten by French police. I find that very worrying. They are also attacked by Neo Nazis. The current solution seems to be to destroy any community built there and to force people to stay in detenion facilities where they will be forced to apply for asylum in France.