Red Cross in Akranes, Iceland

Practitioner from civil society organization

Name of Practitioner:

Red Cross in Akranes, Iceland

Website:

redcross.is/akranes

Contact Information:

Skólabraut 25 a
300 Akranes

Akranes, Iceland
Phone: + 354 431 2270
Email: steindal@redcross.is

Practitioner’s aims, programs of activities and fields of expertise:

The Red Cross in Akranes, Iceland is a part of the Icelandic Red Cross. One of its pillars is the focus on mutual integration between locals and immigrants and the promotion of cultural synergy; together we can accomplish so much more then individually.

To reach this objective the Red Cross in Akranes has since 2007 been inducing what we have called second generation approach to migration in the municipality of Akranes, in co-operation with the municipality and its institutions and diverse other individual institutions and stakeholders, such as the Directorate of Labor,the Hospital, Labor Union, Immigration Counsel, The Intercultural House, Universities, Lifelong Learning Centers, the media, experts and Think tanks around the globe.

In the last five years we have managed to build an effective network that enables us to have a pretty good insight into the immigrant community so that we can act quickly when needed. We have also established trust between the local administration and institutions and immigrant community and created a forum for locals and immigrants to interact and share friendship and knowledge – thus creating a cultural synergy that benefits all. The most important thing is perhaps that we have succeeded in bringing together local and immigrant laymen, policymakers and specialists on immigration in a fruitful, honest and ongoing dialogue on how we want to see our community develop. By getting different stakeholders at the table to discuss, monitor, plan and implement a common policy, it becomes easier to mainstream the subject of immigration and it becomes relevant to everyday decision making at the local level, and is not only dealt with occasionally or in times of crises.

The Red Cross and the Municipality are mutually responsible for the day to day management and coordination of the project. The Red Cross runs a service center – what we some times call on stop shop – which is the first contact for immigrants seeking guidance. Half of the staff members are immigrants. After a first interview, where the needs of the person in question are analyzed, the Red Cross advises and facilitates the appropriate response.

The results so far are good, and in order to keep the project on the right track it is highly important to collaborate and learn from others. That is why an initiative like IBIS is so important.

Resources and Publications available:

http://brjotummura.wordpress.com/
facebook: Rauði krossinn á Akranesi