CALL FOR PAPERS :The Changing Face of the Mediterranean: Migrant Women’s Creativity and Constraints (second call) 2011-09-01

The Changing Face of the Mediterranean:

Migrant Women’s Creativity and Constraints Edited Volume For the past two centuries, people have emigrated from the Mediterranean in search of a better life. Beginning with the great influx of Italians principally from the South of Italy at the middle of the 19th century, and continuing up until the last twenty years with the migration of Greeks and Spaniards to North and South America, Germany and the British Isles, emigration patterns in the Mediterranean were fairly consistent. Numerous events in the last several decades, however, have altered that pattern in ways that the social scientists of the post-war period could never have imagined. Poverty, revolutions, decolonization, civil war, religious persecution, and racial and ethnic strife have together generated a massive exodus not away from but into the Mediterranean countries.
Whether Nice or Naples, Bari or Barcelona, Mediterranean ports and capitals at times characterized by high levels of unemployment have become meccas for populations seeking a better life. At the same, however, their host countries are experiencing their own difficulties: unemployment, poverty, sexual violence, the disintegration of the family, and the breakdown of the educational system—all of which make their citizens hostile to the new arrivals. Although entire families have suffered because of these tensions, in many cases, it is women who bear the brunt of the burden. It is they who must maintain against all odds their home culture, their family religion, and their folk traditions in a world that neither welcomes them nor values the countries they have left behind. Despite this, women have contributed significantly to their adopted lands.
The purpose of this multidisciplinary edited volume is to demonstrate not only the political, social and cultural constraints that have characterized migrant women’s lives, but to explore their artistic, religious, educational and intellectual contributions to the European countries of the Mediterranean.
We are now soliciting proposals for chapters that look at the creative responses of migrant women to the constraints of the host countries they inhabit. We are particularly interested in original research focusing on Spain, Portugal, Greece, and/or France and exploring such topics as the visual and performing arts, activism, sexuality, policy-making, educational reform, and religious practices.
Papers that utilize methodologies from humanities or social science disciplines are preferred. Researchers must demonstrate a commitment to a framework that is sensitive to the intersections of gender, race, and class. Contributions are welcome from scholars at any level of their professional careers.
Proposals should include:

• A 500-750 word abstract
• A brief curriculum vitae (2 pages)
• Full contact information including mail, email, and phone/fax numbers Proposals are due 1 September 2011 via email to wpojmann@siena.edu.
Contributors will be notified by 1 October 2011 if their proposals have been accepted. Full articles of 6000 to 8000 words will be due 15 December 2011. Proposals will be accepted in English, Spanish, French, or Italian. Final papers must be in English.

Editors: Susana Cavallo – is Dean of Faculty at the John Felice Rome Center and Professor of Spanish and women and gender studies at Loyola University of Chicago. She is the author of La Poetica de Jose Hierro (Taurus 1987) and co-editor of Estudios en Honor de Janet Pérez: el Sujeto Femenino en Escritoras Hispánicas (Scripta Humanistica 1998).

Wendy Pojmann – is Associate Professor of modern European history at Siena College in Albany, New York. She is the author of Immigrant Women and Feminism in Italy (Ashgate 2006) and editor of Migration and Activism in Europe since 1945 (Palgrave Macmillan 2008).

Carla Mollica – is Academic Services Advisor at the John Felice Rome Center. She was coordinator of the April 2009 conference “The Changing Face of the Mediterranean: Migrant Women’s Creativity and Constraints,” held in Rome, Italy. She received her BA in Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University in 2007.

Wendy Pojmann, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
History Department
Siena College
515 Loudon Road
Loudonville, NY 12211-1462
USA
++1-518-786-5003
++1-518-782-6548 (fax)

Email: wpojmann@siena.edu

Coming up on Al-Jazeera

An Al-Jazeera series exploring the realities of life in Europe for African migrants:

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/surprisingeurope/2011/08/20118311315257772.html?utm_content=rssautomatic&utm_campaign=twitter&utm_source=SocialFlow&utm_term=june&utm_medium=tweet

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR VIDEO PRODUCER/EDITOR/SCRIPTWRITER FOR A 20-MINUTE VIDEO

Deadline:  Sunday August 14, 2011

The UN Alliance of Civilizations:

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) was established in 2005, at the initiative of the Governments of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the United Nations.

The UNAOC Secretariat, which is based in New York, works with a global network of partners that includes States, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, foundations, and the private sector to improve cross-cultural relations between diverse nations and communities. It also works at the grassroots level, promoting innovative projects that build trust, reconciliation and mutual respect.

The Alliance works in four program areas to support such projects. These areas are: youth, media, education, and migration.

The migration program aims to reinforce efforts to harmonize the coexistence between newcomers and host communities, which is critical in improving social cohesion and intercultural relations, and in adding complexity to debates around migration.

Background information:

In the European context, immigration and minority relations are often defined as essentially problematic, if not threatening.  Many of the prejudices towards migrants derive from a negative public discourse. Through the following project, the UNAOC aims to launch a pilot project in Italy to promote positive image of migrants.

Purpose and primary audience:

The UNAOC is seeking a video producer/editor/scriptwriter to assist with developing a 20-minute video (approximate length) showing examples of good integration of migrants in Italy and shifting the focus of the immigration debate towards the human side of the story.

The video will be enriched with pictures of migrants and will be finalized as a comprehensive product (book/leaflet/DVD) which will be used as a generic tool for promoting a positive image of migration.

The UNAOC is willing to promote the product on a national level through schools, film festivals, and eventually TV channels. The product will also be translated and advertised in European countries as a successful tool that can be replicated in order to counter polarizing speech and stereotypes about migrants.

Overall Project Timeline:

Sunday 14 August 2011: Submission deadline for proposals
Monday 5 September 2011: Final selection. A contract will be initiated with the successful proposal
Monday 19 September 2011: Launch of the project
Wednesday 30 November 2011: Project to be completed

Focus:

The project has to include migrant organizations and/or migrants (living in Italy) in the realization of the project.

Responsibilities of PRODUCER/EDITOR/SCRIPTWRITER selected:

• Develop a clear and realistic timeline for the project to be approved by the UNAOC
• Write script for video to be approved by the UNAOC
• Coordinate participation with migrant organizations and migrants approved by the UNAOC
• Provide subtitles for portions of video if needed
• Create graphics for video
• Provide photographical representations of migrants
• Provide final product on DV cam, system NTSC (one original version and one version with English subtitles)
• Participate in conference calls with the UNAOC to incorporate feedback & make revisions as needed to produce the video
• * Copyright clearance, in writing, of all materials (visual and audio) used in the completed video

Responsibilities of the UNAOC:

• Approve timeline
• Accept script
• Accept editing
• Accept graphics
• Accept photographic representations of migrants
• Accept final edited version of the video
• Provide sample of the final designed product incorporating the video and the pictures
• Provide duplication of the video for distribution and media coverage
• Support coverage and promotion of the video

Required Skills and Resources:

• Must demonstrate experience with script writing, editing, and video production
• Must demonstrate ability to work with culturally diverse communities
• Must have own/rented equipment to edit and shoot video

Proposal Preparation and Submission:

The proposal packet must contain the following:

• Description of the proposed video, including justification for budget
• CV and an online link to at least one example of previous completed work
• Description of the contribution of the migrant organizations and migrants participating in the pre-production, production and post-production of the video

Criteria for selections include consideration of the theme, strength of vision, clarity of budget, realistic production timeline and degree of inclusion of migrant organizations/migrants in the production of the video.
Proposals must be submitted by Sunday 14 August, 2011, to anneg@unops.org

Preference will be given to applications presenting the optimal combination of technical and financial attributes.

* Successful Applicants will be informed of their proposals acceptance no later than September 5, 2011

(Please note: All finished or unfinished video or other materials resulting from this RFP process and contract shall become the property of the UNAOC final approval of the final video or upon request by the UNAOC at any time before then. The UNAOC may use or extend the video and the photographs produced without the consent, permission of, or further compensation to the Contractor).

Carlo Ghioni, Best Screenplay Award, Rome International Film Festival

http://bit.ly/mHIDmG

Exceptional People:How Migration Shaped Our World and Will Define Our Future

“Throughout history, migrants have fueled the engine of human progress. Their movement has sparked innovation, spread ideas, relieved poverty, and laid the foundations for a global economy. In a world more interconnected than ever before, the number of people with the means and motivation to migrate will only increase. Exceptional People looks at the profound advantages that such dynamics will have for countries and migrants the world over. Challenging the received wisdom that a dramatic growth in migration is undesirable, the book proposes new approaches for governance that will embrace this international mobility”

Exceptional People:
How Migration Shaped Our World and Will Define Our Future
Ian Goldin, Geoffrey Cameron & Meera Balarajan

IMISCOE 8th Annual Conference: Warsaw, 9 September 2011

Call for papers

The local Policymaking of Interculture between national integration policy, diversity, cohesion and development

Organised in the context of the Imiscoe Standing Committee on The multilevel governance of migration and integration policy by Tiziana Caponio (FIERI) and Ricard Zapata (GRITIM-UPF)

In the context of the Standing Committee on ‘The Multilevel Governance of Migration and Integration Policy’, a special focus on intercultural policymaking as emerging at a local level and in the context of relations with other levels of government appears of a particular interest. The motto “Together in diversity” of the 2008 EU intercultural year (Decision n. 1983/2006/EC) clearly points out the ambition of building, out of group differences and individual diversity, a cohesive and integrated society. Cities cannot but represent strategic contexts under this respect, since it is at a local level that contacts between different cultural, ethnic, linguistic and/or religious groups take place daily, and the necessity for effective conditions of interaction is most urgently felt.Current EU agenda insists to invest major political efforts in underlining that diversity enriches, and it is not only a problem to be ‘managed’.

Nevertheless, the concept of intercultural policy is still far from being clear and research on how this discourse is being articulated in different local contexts in terms of specific policy actions are still scarce.  In this WS we look for different strategies that can strength the inter-link between diversity, cohesion, and development of the city in cultural and social terms.

This WS intends to contribute to the emerging academic debate on the local governance and policymaking of intercultural relations by addressing key-questions such us: How can we define a policy committed to diversity? How cities can transform into action their commitment to diversity? And more in particular, how a city can transform what initially may be viewed as a conflict into a public resource contributing to consolidate it as factor of development and cohesion? What are the resources and the constraints set by other levels of government in the pursuing of intercultural policy at a local level? And what is the difference between diversity and intercuturality? What intercultural policy means in practice?

The final aim is to benchmark the policies seeking to link diversity, interculturality, cohesion and development, analysing local policy-making processes on interculture in the context of national and supra-national integration policies, and envisage further research.

We welcome theory-based papers as well as empirical ones, city-specific or comparative, that can help to frame this research programme.

Paper proposals should contain a preliminary title, an abstract of 500 words. The abstract should contain a clearly stated research question, indications of methodology and/or approach and key references. Please submit paper proposals by 20^th of July 2011 to tiziana.caponio@unito.it and to ricard.zapata@upf.edu.

The authors of accepted proposals will be asked to submit full draft versions of their papers until 1 September 2011.

The Standing Committee on The Multilevel Governance of Migration will cover travel and/or accommodation of those participants who have presented an accepted abstract and do not have any other funds. The Standing Committee will not cover the conference fees.

Controversy around laïcité in France

Laïcité has been for decades a warrant of equal rights of belief and respect to all religions in France. However, in recent weeks some politicians have questioned the commitment of certain ethno-religious communities to that essential principle of the French Republic. Concerns over migrants’ integration have been the reason given by the ruling party, the UMP (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire) to call for a debate around laïcité on 5 April 2011. Ever since, numerous voices have opposed the debate.

The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) has opposed the debate because it seems to call into question the loyalty of French Muslims. Members of the socialist party like the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë have also complained stating that “this debate is not meant to serve France but it is made to divide it.” Secretary General of the UMP, Jean-Francois Copé defended the initiative saying that Muslims will not be stigmatized during the 5 April debate and promising that they will focus on “positive secularism.”

On 30 March 2011, the “Conférence des Responsables de Culte,” the organism that gathers the six main religious group in France, namely Buddhists, Christians (Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic), Muslims and Jews issued a common statement warning against an unnecessary and hasty debate around laïcité. They affirm that the debate around laïcité has been continuous and fruitful in recent years. Religious communities recall, for instance, works of the official commission presided by Professor Jean Pierre Machelon, the official Inter-cult law group (Groupe juridique inter-cultes) and the release of numerous academic books and articles tackling the issue. All this work perfectly illustrates “all the richness and depth of the French experience of laïcité .”

Religious communities praised laïcité as a source of social peace and reaffirmed their commitment with it. They also called for a reflexive attitude in politicians. The current economic, financial and political climate is not the appropriate to conduct such a relevant debate that may affect peaceful coexistence in French society.

Read the statement of the religious communities here

The great internal migration

Internal migrants often face as many challenges as international ones. Challenges they face are often very similar to those of international migrants, including those associated with socio-cultural integration.

In the book “Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History Is Reshaping Our World,” Douglas Saunders explores the migratory movement that is transferring a third of humanity from the village to the city all around the world. The settlement of rural migrants in neighbourhoods such as West Adams in Los Angeles (USA), Kibera in Nairobi (Kenya), Clichy-sous-Bois in Paris (France) and in cities such as Tehran (Iran), Shenzhen (China) and Mumbai (India) has become a feature of the present time.

These arrival cities are often battered by violence and death and strangled by neglect and misunderstanding. Despite the emergence of notable and sustainable middle class, these enclaves are too often defined as malign appendages leading to tragic urban-housing policies in the West or to slum-clearance projects in developing countries. These policies fostered the 2005 riots in Paris and led to clashes in London in the 1980s. Even worse, these policies have left tens or hundreds of thousands of people without a future in Africa, Asia or Latin America.

In his work, Saunders also sees signs for optimism. Scholars and officials are beginning to realize that rural-migrant neighbourhoods are crucial to a city’s future, not a problem to be eliminated. New policies need to be implemented to socially integrate rather than merely tolerate the presence of these migrants.

See the excerpt of the book published in Foreign Policy’s website

Challenges and opportunities for Muslim engagement in Germany

In the last few months, Germany has been caught up in an intense debate about the integration of Muslims in the country. Polls show that Germans increasingly see Islam as a foreign element that poses a threat to their style of life.
In a policy brief for the Berlin series of the German Marshall Fund “GMF Immigration Roundtables: A View From Berlin,” Ali Aslan describes the causes of these fears and the challenges faced by the German society. Aslan is Policy and Media Adviser to the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, and Fellow of the 2010 UN Alliance of Civilizations International Fellowship Program .

Hostility against Muslims is on the rise in Germany. Despite certain signs for optimism such as the launch of the German Islam Conference in 2006, examples like the big editorial success of Sarrazin’s recent book “Germany Does Away With itself” reflect the resurgence of islamophobic feelings. In his book, full of unfounded assumptions, assertions and correlations Sarrazin declares, for instance that “culturally and morally, the Muslims represent a step backwards for German society.” The book was publicly rejected by politicians and caused Sarrazin to leave his position at the Central Bank of Germany.

However, the popular interest for books like Sarrazin’s is a matter of concern. According to Aslan, this popularity reflects Germans’ identity struggles in a time when immigration has became an essential part of Germany’s socio-economic life. In addition, there is a widespread belief that fundamentalist Islamists have infiltrated the nation and that, since Islam is perceived as incompatible with democracy, Muslims’ demands will undermine German values. Furthermore, political parties and the media reinforce negative stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam and the Muslim in a way which is unfortunately not exclusive to Germany. Other countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, France or Spain also question Muslims’ integration into their societies.

In such a tense atmosphere, Aslan calls for a more rational analysis of the issue that would decrease negative perceptions and fears. For instance, he criticizes the inaccuracy of migration data and reports that forecast an excessive growth of German Muslim population. He also denies direct links between Islam and crime. Although honor killings and Arab families controlling crime syndicates do exist, “it has nothing to do with ordinary Islam and the day-to-day lives of the overwhelming majority of Germany’s 4 million Muslims. In fact, most of these problems are not rooted in one’s ethnic heritage or religious belief, but rather in the lack of a good education and the prevalence of a system that fosters inequalities and restricts social mobility.”

Ties between Muslims and the majority society need to be strengthened today more than ever. The creation of the German Islam Conference in September 2006 represented an effort in this direction. Almost after five years, the Conference has made important achievements including combating stereotypes that identify the Muslim community as a monolithic bloc; presenting suggestions and recommendations of issues such as the German values system, religious matters in the context of the constitution and the role of the media; establishing Islamic theological study centers for Islamic Religious Education teachers and Imams; and, initiating “institutionalized co-operation between state and Muslims, promoting gender equality, and preventing extremism, radicalization and social polarization.” Although the conference is limited by the non-binding nature of its resolutions, it has certainly acted as a trigger for change.

To conclude, Aslan presents several challenges facing integration of Muslims in Germany. First, Germany needs to accept that it has become a country of immigration. Germany needs to pursue a proactive immigration policy to become more attractive to skilled workers. A negative view of Islam and Muslims will deter skilled Muslim migrants from settling in the country. Second, a failure to integrate Muslims into the workforce could also have a negative effect on the country’s pension system. Socio-economic integration of Muslims will contribute to overcome the challenges of a rapidly aging German society. Third, disadvantages against migrant students need to be removed in the educational system. Education success can no longer be conditioned to one’s ethnic and social background. Finally, Muslims need to be politically empowered as a necessary condition to fight extremism.

A “new tone and show of respect is needed if Germany is to overcome the current divisions within its own society. The ‘us versus them’ propagated by some politicians, public figures and parts of the media is a recipe for further social tensions, if nor societal disaster” concludes Aslan. The successful integration of Muslims into German society will benefit everyone. The future well-being and unity of the country depends on it.

Read Ali Aslan’s policy brief here.

How to better protect and promote Human Rights in Australia

On January 2011 the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group reviewed the status of Human Rights in 50 countries from across the world – including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Ghana, Mexico and South Africa – and released a series of recommendations for these countries.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) together with the NGO Universal Periodic Review (UPR) committee have encouraged the Australian government to implement some 145 recommendations on how Australia could better protect and promote human rights receiving a prositive response from the Australian government that will respond to the UPR recommendations by June.

Key recommendations made at the UPR regarding diversity include*:

• Further strengthen its efforts to promote equality, non-discrimination and tolerance through the monitoring of racially motivated violence and inclusion of human rights education in school and university curriculum.
• Step up measures, such as human rights education in schools, so as to promote a more tolerant and inclusive society.
• Strengthen further the measures to combat discrimination against minority communities, including Muslim communities in Australia.
• Continue its efforts to promote multicultural and racial tolerance through initiatives such as the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council and the Diversity and Social Cohesion Programme.
• Take more effective measures to address discrimination and other problems related to racial and ethnic relations including developing and implementing appropriate policy and programmes with a view to improving and strengthening relations between races and cultures.
• Strengthen its measures and continue its efforts promoting multiculturalism and social inclusion.
• Continue their great efforts to put an end to all practices likely to interfere with the peaceful coexistence among the different groups of the multi-ethnic society of Australia.
• Implement additional measures to combat discrimination, defamation and violence (including cyber racism) against the Arab population and Australian Muslims, against recently arrived migrants (primarily from Africa) and also foreign students (essentially coming from India).

In the past, the UN Human Rights Council also warned about the need for improvement in Human Rights in other countries of the region such as Singapore. In the city state, despite the improvement in human rights, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. As Mr. Githu Muigai, Special Rapporteur to Singapore noted, “while there may be no institutionalised racial discrimination in Singapore, several policies have further marginalized certain ethnic groups.”

____________

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. They provide advocacy, develop policy and promote issues on behalf of their constituency to government and the broader community.

UPR is a human rights mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council aiming at improving the human rights situation on the ground of each of the 192 UN Member State.

* Categorization made by Kingsford Legal Centre on behalf of the UPR NGO Committee. Retrieved from FECCA’s website.

Still not easy being British

Tariq Modood, Director of the University of Bristol Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship, has published his new book “Still Not Easy Being British: Struggles for a Multicultural Citizenship”. As a leading authority on these subjects within British academia, Modood describes the growth of Muslim political assertiveness in the context of rethinking multiculturalism and the concept of Britishness. Modood argues that the nature of Britishness need to be re-considered and warns against the caricature and distortion of Muslims that adds to the existing confusion and distrust.

In the Foreword to the book, former director of the Runnymede Trust, Robin Richardson agrees that Muslims or other minority are not the problem in Europe or the UK. “The problem is not in the first instance to do with differences of culture, religion, ideology or civilization. Rather, it is to do with conflicts of material interest. Globally, the key conflicts are around power, influence, territory and resources, particularly oil. Within urban areas in Europe they are around employment, housing, health and education. Such conflicts between and within countries become ‘religionised’ or ‘culturalised’ (…) The resulting insecurities lead to scapegoating and moral panics, with Muslims and other minorities as convenient enemies and targets, but not as the principal causes…Keeping such things in mind can help maintain a sense of proportion.” (pp xii-xiii)

Multiculturalism needs to move beyond the political accommodation of group identities as a means of challenging exclusionary racisms and fostering respect and inclusion for demeaned groups. Society needs to be remade so as to include the previously excluded or marginalized on the basis of equality and belonging. It is at this level that we may speak of multicultural integration or multicultural citizenship.

Read a book review by Muhammad Khan here

Vancouver, an exemplary diverse city

In an interview to the Canadian news channel CTV, Mayor Gregor Robertson, praised Vancouver’s diversity because it “doesn’t just provide it with an identity and reputation for being welcoming – it’s also the city’s ticket to future prosperity.” By 2031, nearly 60 per cent of Vancouver residents will be visible minorities, up from 42 per cent in 2006. According to a 2010 StatsCan study, Chinese people constitute the largest minority group in Vancouver. They will make up 23 per cent of its population by 2031, up from 18 per cent in 2006.

Mayor Robertson reminded the efforts undertaken by Vancouver to develop the potential of cultural diversity. Over many years, political commitment from city council and senior staff has been reflected in, for instance, doing a lot of communication in many different languages and creating the council’s working group on immigration and the multicultural advisory committee. The immigration group looks at economic integration of newcomers, working closely with other levels of government. The group also developed the groundbreaking Dialogues program, “the only one of its kind in Canada that engages First Nations, urban aboriginals and immigrant communities together on issues that are important to the city.”

Regarding the gangs problem, Robertson refused to link it with ethnicity. The problem is “spread across many races” and related to other socioeconomic issues. Nonetheless, diversity can also present several challenges including the difficulties of developing communications in many languages; the resources required to continuously focus on diversity programs; and the exercise of the right to vote by the newest Canadians.

Robertson concluded by affirming that “being an intercultural city is a good thing.(…) Our future is directly connected to waves of immigration and how newcomers connect to our city. There’s no majority here anymore, and that seems to be just sinking in – everyone now accepts that diversity is who we are and it’s our future.”

Survey reveals misperceptions about migration data

Debates around migration are often fuelled by large-scale misconceptions both in North America and Europe. People need to be given a realistic sense of the scale of immigration in their country so that they can have a nuanced view toward immigration. According to a survey released on February 3rd Americans and Europeans both tend to greatly overestimate the immigrant population in their home countries. The survey was carried out among 6,000 people in the U.S., Canada and six European countries by the transatlantic organization The German Marshall Fund (GMF).

Figures show that for instance, the average American believes that 39% of the U.S. population was born abroad when the real figure is less than 14%. Similarly happens in the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. These data represent important information for policy-makers. The increasing pressure on immigrants is often justified by people’s concerns about their number, their relation with crime and labour-market competition. Indeed, in the GMF survey, majorities in the U.S. (73%), the U.K. (70%), Spain (61%), France (58%) and the Netherlands (54%) felt their government was doing a poor job managing immigration. Governments should invest more resources in informing their constituencies about the real numbers of migration. “It’s hard to measure the appropriate response to calls among your constituents to drop the admission numbers for immigrants if people would be happy if they knew how many people were actually coming in. So the lesson here should be that there is so much more we can do to inform the public about immigration trends” said Susan Martin, the director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University

Another interesting finding is that Americans tend to worry about the economic effects of migration, especially those whose household economic situation got worse in 2010. On the other hand, European concern centers around the integration of migrants — particularly Muslims — into their host nation’s culture. Claudia Diehl, a professor of immigration at the University of Goettingen in Germany reminded that Europeans should learn from U.S.’s experience with immigrants. “Americans are much more optimistic about immigrant integration, especially of second-generation migrants” she said.

Read more here
Read the key finding of the GMF’s survey here

A more humane approach to undocumented migrant children

Detention and deportation of children is a common practice in many European countries. Thousands of migrant children are detained and forcibly brought to detention centres every year. Despite they have not committed any crime, they have to endure prison-like conditions, being deprived of education and suffering phychologically. Sometimes they are also exposed to abuse and violence.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, in his latest Human Rights Comment, urged countries to rethink their appoach in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that detention “is to be used only as a measure of last resort, for the shortest appropriate period of time and taking into account the best interests of the child as a primary consideration.”

Altough no precise statistics is available on detained children, one example is France where “368 migrant children were detained in 2009. They were kept with family members, but still these children – with an average age of eight years – were confronted with the negative sides of detention and an atmosphere of deep anxiety.” On the other hand, United Kingdom is in the right direction putting an end to the detention of asylum-seeking or migrant children.

Countries have often justified the detention of acompanied children with the argument that it is in the best interest of the children. However, other approaches such as Belgium’s are more humane. The government provides apartments where families due to be returned are accommodated. This allows for an ordinary live until the moment of deportation as well as for children to attend school in the meantime. “Similar humane approaches are needed for the unaccompanied minors. They should benefit from smaller accommodation facilities, with more privacy and better care, and with access to education” also said Hammarberg.

Cameron’s statement on migrant integration and reactions from other countries

United Kingdom’s Prime Minister said on February 5th that State multiculturalism has failed and left young Muslims vulnerable to radicalization. Cameron reminded the necessary active participation of migrants in their communities. “A passively tolerant society… stands neutral between different values,” he said. “A genuinely liberal country does much more. It believes in certain values and actively promotes them.” It is the second time a European PM makes these statements reflecting a push by European governments to better integrate immigrants.

Reactions to this trend are heard from all over the world. In this sense, the Australian Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras said Victoria had avoided the “separatism” that has characterized UK and continues to be enriched by its cultural diversity. A diverse society can be challenging but there are “incredible social, cultural and economic benefits.” Former Australian Premier Kennett restated the difference between integration and assimilation: people are required to respect Australian values but should not be forced to disregard their cultural beliefs.

Dr. Varun Uberoi, Lecturer in the Department of Politics and History at Brunel University wrote in The Independent that Cameron’s argument is problematic. A research conducted by Anthony Heath and Jane Roberts in 2008 based on citizenship survey data (the governments own data set) reveals that whilst some young Muslim men may find it hard to identify with Britain, the overwhelming majority of Muslims do not. 43 % of Muslims say that they belong ‘very strongly’ to Britain and 42% say that they belong to Britain ‘fairly strongly’. And, although for those aged 14-25 percentages decrease slightly, figures are higher for Muslim respondents than they are for Christian ones and those of ‘no religion’. Uberoi finds it necessary to rebuild “Britishness in a way that includes all British citizens not just the cultural majority.”

BBC documentary explores racial tensions in Sweden

For his latest project the acclaimed photographer Joseph Rodriguez turned his lens on a group of young Muslims growing up in the city of Malmo, Sweden. Rodriguez attempts to find out why racial tensions are increasing in one of the most progressive countries in Europe.

Rosengard in Malmo is symbolic of the divide between the Muslim population and indigenous Swedes. In that area around 60% of people were born outside of Sweden and 40% are unemployed. It’s a city increasingly divided on racial, religious and cultural grounds, and one in which Joseph discovers many young Muslims feel they are treated as second class citizens.

Watch the video from the BBC documentary series Open Eye.

Paid internships on media and migration with IOM

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners are recruiting 24 interns for a three months traineeship each to work within the framework of the project ‘Migrants in the Spotlight: Training and Capacity Building for Media Representatives and Students’, financed by the European Commission.

Applicants should be young professionals or students of journalism, social studies, political sciences or a related field, who are interested in migration and media issues and are immigrants or come from a family of immigrants. Those applicants who demonstrate a strong interest in migration issues but do not possess an immigration background will be also considered; however, preference will be given to the first group. A 500 euro monthly allowance will be provided to cover the participants’ basic living expenses.

If you are interested in applying for an internship at IOM or at any of the project partner organizations, you are encouraged to send your application (CV and cover letter) in English to the preferred organization. Please click here for the contact details for each country. The cover letter should specify the proposed period and dates of the internship; however, the commencement date cannot be later than 1st of September 2011

Read the call for internship applicants here

Filipino migrants in Egypt join international condemnation of violence

Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of various Filipino migrant rights groups in the Middle East, strongly condemned the on-going crackdown on freedom of the Egyptian people and the violence used by some demonstrators.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional director said that in order to concretely express their solidarity with the Egyptians and other peace loving people in the Middle East, “Migrante chapters in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Libya will hold indoor activities inviting Egyptian expatriates to speak and share their struggles, sentiments, hopes and aspirations with (them).”

There are about 20’000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Egypt. Following the volatile political situation, Migrante-Middle East urged the Filipino administration to bare its contingency plan for OFWs in Egypt to secure their safety.

Also about Egypt, Greek Citizens’ Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis chaired a meeting of security chiefs on January 31 morning as Greece prepares for a possible influx of immigrants from Egypt and other North African countries.

Chinese New Year celebrated around the world

Millions of Asians celebrate the Lunar New Year around the world. The Year of the Rabbit officially began on February 3. In China, people set off fireworks to welcome 4709. Celebrations will last 15 days ending with the full moon on the Lantern Festival. This festival is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. The increasing presence of Chinese migrants around the world is making this celebration more popular every year.

Many Canadian cities joined their Chinese neighbours in the celebration of these festivities. For instance, the Canada-China Business Association staged a multicultural Spring Festival evening in Richmond. Even Canada Post has created a new stamp to commemorate the 2011 Chinese New Year

Canada has about 1.3 million Chinese-Canadians, but also hosts large community of Koreans and others from Southeast Asian nations who were also celebrating the Lunar New Year. “For so many thousands of years, this has been a tradition. Overseas we can bring this tradition into focus and have the community serving together, enjoy the day and the time with the greater community. This is the spirit of multiculturalism,” said Lee, himself an immigrant from Hong Kong.

In the United States, Barack Obama sent best wishes to Americans of Asian descent and desired that they “carry on the rich traditions of their heritage, reminding us again that America’s strength comes from the richness of our cultures and the diversity of our people.” California Governor Jerry Brown recognized the “important contributions” Chinese Americans have made to his state.

In the UK Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the enormous contribution the Chinese community makes to the UK and praised their values of “hard work, enterprise and community”.

The celebraton of the Chinese New Year has served as a platform for bringing the community together and reminding that diversity and inclusion are sources of strength.

Cities of Migration organizes webinar on migrants’ health

Cities of Migration has organized a 60 minute webinar on: Healthy Communities: Improving Immigrant Access to Healthcare. Staying healthy means knowing when and where to go for medical help and having access to experts who can speak your language, culturally and linguistically.

The webinar explores innovative strategies for improving access to healthcare in immigrant communities with experts from San Francisco (USA) and Hannover (Germany). José Ramón Fernández-Peña, from “The Welcome Back Initiative” (San Francisco, USA) will present their initiative that seeks to close gaps in immigrant access to healthcare by connecting internationally-trained health care professionals to employment. From Hannover (Germany) Ramazan Salman, from the Ethno-Medizinisches Zentrumow, will present the “MiMi- With Migrants for Migrants” program that provides facilitation training to local ethnocultural communities to promote health literacy and improve health outcomes .

The webinar will be forecast on February 23, 2011 at 11am EST (4pm GMT).

Find a full description and Register Online here

Links between global migration and cultural diversity explored in the UK

The Centre for Research on Nationalism Ethnicity and MulticulturalismIn (CRONEM) of the University of Surrey and the Institute for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society (VISOR) of the Free University of Amsterdam organize a multidisciplinary conference on “Global Migration and Multiculturalism: Religion, Society, Policy and Politics.”

CRONEM is a multidisciplinary research centre in the field of nationalism, ethnicity and multiculturalism. It brings together those at Surrey and Roehampton who are engaged in issues which lie at the nexus between nation, ethnicity, multiculturalism, citizenship and migration. Reflection on these issues through arts and humanities disciplines provides a distinctive focus for this Centre.

VISOR is the world’s largest research institute for the study of religion. With an interdisciplinary spirit, VISOR gathers over 130 scholars.

The conference aims “to explore a number of overlapping themes arising from the relationship between global migration and cultural diversity through different disciplinary understandings of the links between religion, society, policy and politics.” It will also address issues related to identity politics, minority community representation and how minority individuals relate (and are expected to relate) to the national cultures within which they live present political and policy challenges for nation-states and supra-national entities such as the European Union.

The conference will take place at the University of Surrey, UK between June 28 – 29, 2011. There is a call for papers to submit individual papers and posters, as well as proposals for convened symposia. The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2011.

For any additional information, please contact Mrs Mirela Dumic (m.dumic@surrey.ac.uk).

Immigration reform, Gays and Lesbians to sponsor their partners?

When or how a comprehensive immigration reform will happen in the US remains uncertain. However, one of the issues that will be considered is the possibility for gays and lesbians to sponsor their life partners for residency in the US.

An increasing number of Fortune 500 companies, such as Pfizer, American Airlines, Cisco Systems, Nike and others, are joining a business coalition urging the Congress to pass the “Uniting American Families Act” (UAFA). The UAFA would end the double standard some couples face today. According to Steve Ralls, communications director of Immigration Equality, the current immigration laws are forcing American citizens to quit their jobs and leave their own country: “more than 36,000 of them, who happen to be lesbian and gay and have a partner from another country, face the unimaginable choice of leaving their country — and their jobs — behind, or tearing their families apart.”

Currently, 59% of OECD countries offer family reunification possibilities for lesbian and gay couples. Business leaders supporting this reform say it would enable American businesses to retain American workers and have an advantage in the race to remain competitive.

Read the Huffington Post article here

US clergy call for comprehensive immigration reform

About a dozen faith leaders warned on Monday that the proposed Utah Legislature’s immigration bills — especially Rep. Stephen Sandstrom’s enforcement-only measure — would create a climate of fear and division among communities.

A letter signed by over 30 communities including state’s Catholic and Episcopalian bishops and the Lutheran bishop over the Rocky Mountain region, asked that “instead of creating heightened immigration enforcement laws, (we ask that|) you join us in addressing the United States Congress and the administration to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.”

As Rev. Steve Goodier, representing Utah’s United Methodists affirmed, churches and society need to recognize the gifts and struggles of all immigrants. “We seek equality for all … as all are part of the global family.”

Read more here

British Muslim conservative chairman: stop ‘bigotry’ against Muslims

Baroness Warsi, co-chairman of the Conservative Party in the UK addressed a speech at the University of Leicester in which she expressed her concerns about a “growing religious intolerance in the country,” especially towards Muslims. Her statements represent the most high-profile intervention in Britain’s religious debate by any member of David Cameron’s government.

Although Mrs. Warsi recognized Britain’s long history of tolerance and diversity, prejudice against Muslims has grown along with their numbers, partly because of the way they are often portrayed. Anti-Muslim prejudice has “passed the dinner-table test” and is seen by many Britons as normal and uncontroversial. In this sense, Mrs. Warsi rejects the notion that all followers of Islam can be described either as “moderate” or “extremist” for it can fuel misunderstanding and intolerance.

“It’s not a big leap of imagination to predict where the talk of ‘moderate’ Muslims leads; in the factory, where they’ve just hired a Muslim worker, the boss says to his employees: ‘Not to worry, he’s only fairly Muslim’.

“In the school, the kids say: ‘The family next door are Muslim but they’re not too bad’.

“And in the road, as a woman walks past wearing a burka, the passers-by think: ‘That woman’s either oppressed or is making a political statement’.”

When making these distinctions, we are already prejudging and being unfair.

Read more here

Watch the discussion with Roger Cohen on national identities and Muslim immigrants.

Buying-in inclusion-processes in the workplace

A research directed by Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, associate professor of management and organizations at Michigan’s Ross School of Business reveals that building inclusive environments in organizations and educational settings often face resistance by whites. Sanchez-Burks highlights that “in the face of the dramatic projected growth in demographic diversity, such failure could have severe economic, social and political consequences.”

Sanchez-Burks has conducted this research together with University of Michigan doctoral student Flannery Garnett, Victoria Plaut of the University of California-Berkeley and Laura Buffardi of the Universidad de Deusto in Spain. This five-study investigation of white Americans’ perceptions of diversity initiatives both in the workplace and in the classroom has also revealed that this resistance is not related to prejudice but to the basic human need to belong.

In a “study of nearly 5,000 employees at a large health care organization, Sanchez-Burks and colleagues found additional evidence that whites are less likely to endorse diversity than minorities and feel less included in their organization’s definition of diversity than minorities.”

The researchers propose that inclusion-processes in the workplace will gain support only if everyone’s concerns and opinions are taken seriously so that the white constituency feels included in their organization’s definition of diversity. This question “may be crucial in stemming the tide of backlash responses to diversity efforts.”

Read more here

Integration: Building Inclusive Societies conversation in London, UK

The Integration: Building Inclusive Societies conversation was broadcast live on December 20, 2010 for a worldwide audience from St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London, UK. Roger Cohen, the New York Times journalist discussed about migration, national identities and integration of Muslims in today’s society. The archived video is now available!

Due to the weather situation in London and Paris, Tariq Ramadan was unable to be present. Muddassar Ahmed from UNITAS Communication participated to the conversation with Roger Cohen along with active engagement from the in-house and the online audience.

The discussion focused on the reasons immigration is perceived as negatively affecting coexistence in Europe, and why Islam is often depicted as incompatible with Western values. Together with the in-house and online audience, discussants explored ways to better acknowledge European and American Muslims’ contributions to their societies, and examined what role these groups can have in supporting the integration of recent Muslim immigrants.

Read more about the event and the discussants here.

We invite you to watch the video and continue the discussion on our Facebook page!

Intn’l Migrants Day: Acknowledge the Benefits of Migration and Share that Vision

IOM, December 18, International Migrants Day

(en français ici)

(en español aquí)

Governments need to open their eyes to the benefits of migration and share that vision with the public at large, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as it marks International Migrants Day.
All too often now, the positive contributions migrants make to society are being called into question as many governments adopt short-sighted attitudes, presenting them as a burden to convalescing economies or a drain on the welfare state.
Yet, evidence of migrants’ contributions abound. A study published earlier this year by University College London showed that newcomers from Eastern Europe paid 37 per cent more in taxes than they received in benefits and from public services in 2008-09. Many more migrants helped to provide critical public services as doctors, nurses or cleaners in the National Health Service. Another recent piece of research highlighted the positive entrepreneurial impact immigrant communities have on the British economy.
In the United States, native-born Americans gain an estimated $ 37 billion a year from immigrants’ participation in the US economy, according to the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. More than one in 10 self-employed business people in the U.S is an immigrant.
“Despite the evidence, few issues still elicit stronger reaction than that of migration. From the floors of parliaments to city streets to discussions around dinner tables, there are heated debates about migrants’ impact on national identity, security, employment, health and social welfare systems – all those things that make up the fabric of a society,” says IOM Director General William Lacy Swing. “Unfortunately, many of these discussions are based on emotions and myths and not on social and economic reality. Migration now and in the future will be driven by global economic, social and demographic trends that can no longer be ignored.”
According to IOM’s recently launched World Migration Report, international migrants could number 405 million by 2050 if migration continues to grow at the same pace as during the last 20 years.
One of the reasons for this steep rise will be the population decline in the world’s industrialized countries, an expected drop of nearly 25 percent by 2050. This will significantly increase the demand for migrant workers at a time when the labour force in developing countries will increase from 2.4 billion in 2005 to 3.6 billion in 2040.
In many countries, migrant workers at all skills levels will be needed for knowledge and innovation as well as for jobs that nationals cannot or do not want to fill. These include health care, looking after children and the elderly, public services, the service industry as well as agriculture and construction.
The World Bank estimates that if countries with declining populations allowed their workforce to grow by only 3 percent by letting in an extra 14 million migrant workers between 2001-2025, the world would be $356 billion a year better off — with the majority of these funds flowing to developing countries.
“These numbers aren’t just about economics. They need to be placed in a human context too. Economic growth equals human and social development and security,” explains Swing. “In many parts of the world, migrants’ remittances have already done much to lift communities from extreme poverty, put food on the table, given families a home and children an education. All these things mean a better future for them and as a result, for the rest of the world too.”
Migration is here to stay and governments have to choose between adopting a “high road” or a “low road” scenario to manage migration.
The “low road scenario” is one of status quo based on stereotypes, fear, and short-term political expediency. It is characterized by restrictive migration policies and the paucity of dialogue on migration, at national, regional and international levels.
At the opposite end of the policy spectrum, a “high road” scenario would heighten recognition of migration as an integral part of the global economy and of migrants as vital constituents to any full recovery from the current economic crisis. It would implement policies that better meet increasing demands for labour migration, protect the rights of migrants, promote regular dialogue between countries of origin and destination and highlight the economic and social contribution of migrants both in home and host countries.
“The challenge is to find humane and equitable solutions that reconcile people’s desire to migrate with the national sovereignty of States on population movements. Cooperation is not only essential to ensure the rights of migrants are respected but also to migrants respecting the culture and laws of host countries,” Swing concludes.

The EU against jeopardizing temporary migrant workers’ rights

The European Parliament disagreed on a draft law that would introduce a European single permit for migrants. The proposal was rejected (306 in favour, 350 against and 25 abstentions) on the grounds that it would create a a two-tier workforce.

EU’s current approach to economic migration encourages the immigration of highly qualified workers and temporary workers. The single permit would “simplify administrative requirements for third-country nationals by enabling them to obtain work and residence permits via a single procedure at a “one-stop shop” and to grant a common set of rights to immigrants legally residing and working in the EU.”

However, the legislation would not cover seasonal labourers (who are the subject of a different draft law) or applicants for international protection. This law would fail to ensure the application of human rights standards towards low or unskilled and semi-migrant workers. In order for the draft law to respect migrants’ rights, seasonal workers shouldn’t be excluded from the scope of the directive. This exclusion endangers the right of equal treatment and is against the United Nations Convention of the Rights of on Migrant Workers and their Families.

As UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon reminded recently at the European Parliament on the 60th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, European countries should no longer postpone the ratification of the Convention.

Read the press release of the European Parliament.

Cuts to Integration Budgets in US and the EU

Recession-battered European countries made cuts to their integration programs in 2009. These cuts have continued in 2010 exception made of Germany, only EU-country that has increased integration spending.

In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the combination of recession and new policies are impacting on integration programs. The governing coallition in the United Kingdom has revoked the GBP 50 million (US$78 million) Migration Impacts Fund that was set as a response to immigrant-related pressure on housing, education, and hospitals. In the Netherlands, the integration budget will shrink incrementally to achieve savings of more than 300 million euros (US$405 million) by 2014.

In the US, the cuts on the federal economic stimulus plan will affect programs targeting migrants. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), “citizenship-assistance programs have been easy targets (of the cuttings): Maryland cut its program in its 2011 budget, and Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington state trimmed budgets for their programs in 2010. Illinois, which reduced its human services budget (home to various immigrant integration programs) by 10 percent in 2010, will do so again in 2011.”

Since countries still face big budgets deficits, and even structural deficit, this situation is far from being resolved.

Read more here

Mexico City wins the World Best Mayor Prize 2010

Cities and mayors are at the front line of integration challenge, and active involvement of local governments in integration of migrants enables progress, innovation and development. Mayors’ experience in managing cultural diversity must feed into policy making at national level.

The think tank City Mayors Foundation launched the 2010 World Mayor Project in the spring of 2009. In two rounds of selections, more than 400’000 votes selected 25 finalists for the World Mayor Prize 2010.

In October 2010, City Mayors’ editors decided on ten mayors who stood out in terms of numbers of votes and quality of comment from their supporters. The top three ranked mayors Marcel Ebrard (Mexico City, Mexico), Mick Cornett (Oklahoma City, USA) and Domenico Lucano (Riace, Italy) were the editors’ unanimous choices. Among the criteria figure their “leadership and vision, good management abilities, social and economic awareness, ability to provide security and to protect the environment as well as having the skill to cultivate good relations in communities with different cultural, racial and social backgrounds.” Marcelo Ebrard won the First Prize of the 2010 World Mayor competition.

The top ten mayors are notable for their commitment with migrants’ active integration. For instance, the Mayor of Riace that represents a community of only 1,700 people, stands out for his openness to all immigrants and refugees wanting to settle in his village. Mr. Lucano has worked closely with the UNHCR and founded Città Futura (City of the Future), an association that offers free housing and board to migrants. In return migrants have to learn Italian and work, for instance renovating buildings and producing handicrafts. The arrival of migrants has revitalised the village. At the same time, citizens have welcomed their new neighbours with open arms. Integration is a two way process or as Mr. Lucano likes to say: “The poorest of the poor will save Riace, and in return, Riace will save them.”

The World Mayor Prize is a valuable contribution to promoting better “policies and common action aimed at the successful integration of migrant populations”, as called for by High Representative for the UNAOC, Jorge Sampaio. He further stresses the fact that “municipal and local governments play a crucial role in promoting sustainable urban development based on cultural diversity, as a key factor to prevent conflicts and contribute to security and peace.” The prized Mayors are good examples of politicians promoting good relations among different communities, hence social cohesion.

• Check out 2010 World Mayor results
• Read more about World Mayor’s Code of Ethics
• Visit City Mayor’s website

Migrant women, leading fighters for domestic workers’ rights in the US

Migrant women make up a growing proportion of home-based employees in the United States, including caregivers for children, the elderly and those with disabilities, housekeepers and nannies. Mobilization of this collective is, however, challenging. They are often worried about their precarious immigration status.

CASA de Maryland and Domestic Workers United (DWU), two leading migrants’ organizations in US, led a campaign aimed at reaching out migrant domestic workers — at public spaces such as parks and bus stops. As a result, they developed a strategy for improving domestic employees’ working conditions. The information gleaned through those contacts concluded that, for instance, in Maryland 60% of workers “were expected to be constantly on call to serve the needs of their employers’ families, regardless of the needs of their own families.” However, 80% were regularly deprived of overtime pay for those services.

DWU concluded that, in the state of New York “over a quarter made less than the minimum wage and lived below the poverty line, one-third had suffered either physical or verbal abuse and two-thirds did not regularly receive overtime pay.”

After years of campaign that included lobbying, demonstrations and strategic use of the Internet, New York has become the first U.S. state to legislate domestic workers’ rights — several local jurisdictions in addition to Montgomery County, Maryland, already had such laws for some time, including New York City (since 2003) and Nassau County, on Long Island (2006). Some of the achievement include the obligation for employers to give domestic employees “time off each week, pay for overtime and annual vacation days and give them two weeks’ notice or termination pay.”

Read more here

Spain: migrants to vote in local elections

Immigrants with legal status that have resided for at least five years in Spain will now be given the rights to vote in local elections beginning in 2011. This opportunity represents a historical milestone. For the first time ever, non-EU migrants will actively engage in the democratic process. Participation of migrants in policy-creation and decision-making processes promotes a sense of ownership and belonging that fosters engagement and commitments to their host societies. In addition, several association of migrants highlight that their involvment in the democratic process will ease the debate around migration issues and discourage the use of a polarized discourse.

In November 2009, Spain ratified bilateral agreements with countries such as Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, Cape Verde, Iceland and New Zealand. These agreements allow Spanish citizens residing in those countries to vote and, reciprocally, citizens of those countries residing in Spain will be allowed to participate in Spanish local elections.

In order to vote, individuals must register in the city hall of their municipality from December 1, 2010 to January 15, 2011. These new regulations will allow more than three hundred thousand migrants to vote in May 2011.

Read more here (Spanish)

E Pluribus Unum Prizes: Honoring Exceptional Immigrant Integration Initiatives

With its E Pluribus Unum Prizes, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) awards exceptional initiatives that promote immigrant integration. The prize aims “to honor the efforts of those who are creating stronger, more unified and successful communities by strengthening relationships between native-born and foreign-born Americans.”

The E Pluribus Unum Prizes national awards program provides four $50,000 prizes annually to exceptionally successful immigrant integration initiatives. The awards recognize initiatives that have an outstanding record of helping immigrants and their children adapt, thrive, and contribute to the United States or that have successfully brought immigrants and native-born residents together to build stronger, more cohesive communities. Winners are recognized each May at an event in Washington, DC.

Three are the selection criteria: significance, impact and influence. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2010 by 5 pm ET.

More info here

Japan: more skilled migrants and new integration policies

The Tokyo-based think tank Japan Forum on International Relations has submitted a set of policy recommendations on migration to the Prime Minister of Japan. The document “Prospects and Challenges for the Acceptance of Foreign Migrants to Japan” affirms that the country is losing favour as an investment destination because of several factors, including skilled labour shortages and the rise of China.

“If Japan wants to survive in a globalised world economy and to advance its integration with the burgeoning East Asian economy, it essentially has no other choice but to accept foreign migrants, while making full use of domestic human resources,” said Kenichi Ito, one of the document’s author. “A key question is not whether we should accept foreign migrants or not, but how we should accept them.”

In this line, the report proposes that Japan learns from previous immigration mistakes and promotes active integration policies. Australia, Canada and the US are presented as models for the country’s ideal migration system. Several policy recommendations include easier recognition of international qualifications; the posibility for foreign workers to bring their families; heavily subsidised Japanese learning; and the engagement of local governments in the integration process.

More information here
Read the report here

2010 Cities of Migration Conference

The 2010 International Cities of Migration Conference, Oct. 3–4, 2010, brought together 170 migration experts, practitioners and city leaders from over 70 cities across 22 countries.
Participant feedback has been exceptionally strong identifying positive messages about the value of diversity and local integration practices that work. Participants went home with practical lessons based on the success of local integration initiatives and good ideas on immigrant integration, diversity and city leadership. In particular, the Marketplace of Good Ideas session put 12 examples of work on show

• Download Marketplace of Good Ideas Workbook PDF – featuring 12 Good Ideas!
• View the Video Highlights and Conference Photo Gallery
• Read, listen, and watch excellent Media reports by conference participants in English, French, and Spanish!
• Follow Cities of Migration on Twitter!
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• Nomination call for Paul Yuzyk Award – Canada

  
  

  Nominations for the third annual Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism can now be sumbitted. If you know a Canadian individual or organization that deserves to be recognized for his or her contributions to multiculturalism, diversity, and the integration of cultural communities and new Canadians, you can now nominate. The deadline for 2011 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism nominations is March 1, 2011.

  The recipient individual or group will receive a certificate of honour signed by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and a grant of $20,000.

  Check the evaluation criteria here

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• UNHCR and CoE: How can refugees learn to trust the state again?

  
  

  UNHCR and the Council of Europe organized a round table of experts in Strasbourg in order to examine the role of local integration and resettlement as a means of addressing refugee problems and finding durable solutions.

  “The purpose of the round table was to hold a fruitful exchange of views and ideas as to how we can best effect the integration of refugees, many of whom remain in the margins of society, are the victims of discrimination and are often used as scapegoats for all the problems affecting Europe,” said Olivier Beer, UNHCR’s representative to the European Institutions in Strasbourg.

  Refugees have specific needs that need to be addressed by policy-makers. Emilie Wiinblad, a senior policy officer for UNHCR’s Europe Bureau, pointed at some of the challenges. For instance, refugees “have lost all trust in government and need to learn to trust the state again.” Furthermore, unlike migrants, if integration proves hard, refugees don’t have the possibility of going back home. For that reason, efforts to promote refugees’ integration are especially urgent. Governments need to pay special attention to several issues including to secure their legal status; to provide housing, employment, education and health; and to promote language acquisition and full participation in society.

  Read more on UNHCR’s website

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• Language requirements in UK: migration control or integration policy?

  
  

  UK immigration minister Damian Green has recently spoken to the BBC about the new English tests that will be required for spouses and partners of migrants.

  To date, the Ministry of Immigration in the UK justified the language policy to the public by talking about the role it will play in promoting integration of migrants. The Home Secretary stated on 9 June, when the tests were announced: “The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services”. More recently though, Green has recently linked this policy to immigration control. In the BBC interview he states that, in order to reduce immigration from current 200 thousand to tens of thousands, the government is “introducing a new policy which means that you can’t come here to get married unless you can speak English at the basic level”.

  Responsibility for migration policies and regulation of migrant flows rests only upon governments. However, migrants associations are against these new policies. They argue that family reunification belongs to migrants’ human rights and that language requirements should not be instrumentalized to stop this from happening. The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and the Immigration Law Practitioners‟ Association (ILPA), for instance, have expressed their concerns that these tests may not be implemented fairly.

  UK Border Agency has recently published an online internal guidance for use by entry clearance staff on the handling of settlement in the United Kingdom applications made outside the United Kingdom. You can check the guidance out here

  Read more here
  Watch the video on BBC website (available for limited time)

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• Philosopher Habermas on migration and multiculturalism in Germany

  
  

  Prestigious philosopher Jürgen Habermas, professor emeritus of philosophy at Goethe University in Frankfurt expresses his concerns about politicians that “can divert the social anxieties of their voters into ethnic aggression against still weaker social groups.” Habermas believes that integration of Muslim Turkish migrants and their descendants has generally been a success in Germany. Although, in some economically depressed areas there is certainly a problem of isolation from mainstream society.

  Often immigrants are blamed for being burdensome to their host societies and become objects of discrimination and intolerance. Far-right wing politicians or even unpolitical figures exploit such hostile sentiments against migrants. Simplistic narratives that allege that immigrants have a negative impact on the society, or that associate certain migrant groups with violence are more likely to take hold in public perception. In addition, a recent trend in Europe starts to understand national culture in ethnic or even religious terms.

  People’s concerns need to be addressed with clear-headed political vision in order to encourage a constructive debate.

  Read Habermas’ essay here

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• Migration Policy Institute’s call for papers

  
  

  The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is initiating a new research project that examines the well-being and development of young children in Black immigrant and refugee families from birth to age 10.

  Supported by the Foundation for Child Development (FCD), this project aims to understand issues related to “immigration and settlement patterns, education, language acquisition, health, parental and family resources, and other factors influencing child development and well-being.”

  Deadline for submission is December 15, 2010. Selected papers will be presented at an interdisciplinary research symposium for scholars of this topic, hosted by MPI and FCD in early summer 2011.

  For more information, see the Call for papers

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• Merkel on mosques in Germany

  
  

  The Migration Policy Group is one of the leading European organizations promoting open and inclusive societies. Their monthly Migration News Sheet offers a reliable source of information on migrants and refugees. The November 2010 issue features an interesting note on recent debates in Germany around Muslim immigrants.

  Chancellor Angela Merkel pointed out in an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” that integration was an important task for German people facing immigration. Germans need to accept that immigration is changing the character of the country. Indeed, “mosques will be a more prominent part of [the] urban landscape than before.” Merkel reminded that the German constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Respect and tolerance can only be guaranteed if laws and all articles of the constitution are respected.

  The Chancellor also brought up the issue of Imams. She suggested that it may be time to provide training for them in Germany and ensure that they “accept the principles of [the] State and legal order”. The University of Osnabrueck has launched a program that goes in this direction: training Muslim spiritual leaders to help Muslim communities to integrate. (Read more about this project here).

  These words contrast with more recent statements. On October 14, 2010, Merkel declared publicly that “multiculturalism [had] failed” in Germany. In a news item published on the EMILIE project website , Professor Tariq Modood, one of the project partners, argues that Multiculturalism is not in retreat. “It is rather re-organising and improving.” Indeed, integration was never understood in the direction of opening German identity up to multicultural influences and hence creating a multicultural citizenship, in the British or Canadian sense. The post concludes that multiculturalism in Germany cannot die because, as such, it has never been implemented.

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• Pew research: Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants

  
  

  A recent national survey by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center, concludes that “86% of Latinos support providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants if they pass background checks, pay a fine and have jobs.” This level of support among the general public is also high (68%). The survey also states that 78% of Latinos say the Constitution should be left as is, regarding birthright citizenship. This number contrasts with 56% of the general public who say the same.

  Latinos are the USA’s largest minority group with 47 million. These Latinos are divided among native born and foreign born, many of them in an undocumented status. About four-in-five of the nation’s estimated 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants are of Hispanic origin.

  Latinos have contrasted and sometime divided views on immigration-related topics. For instance, a majority of Latinos consider that their lives in the U.S. is good or excellent. 78% of them say that immigrants in the U.S. strengthen the country; almost 50% say that Americans are as accepting of immigrants or more so now than they were five years ago; and 81% declare that opportunities are better in the U.S. than in their home countries. However, a majority of Latinos also believe that discrimination against Hispanics is a “major problem.” The causes for discrimination are mainly described as linked to the lack of language skills of the Latin migrants (46%) and their immigration status (36%).

  Read more here

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• Course for Imams in Germany aims at integration

  
  

  The University of Osnabrueck has launched a program that will train Muslim spiritual leaders to help Muslim communities to integrate.
  As Martina Blasberg-Kuhnke, vice-president of the University of Osnabrueck, states, “Imams play a pivotal role because they work with their communities, their religion and with society at large, so they have a public function (…) They have a big influence on family life and the way practicing Muslims choose to live their lives, and that’s why they’re particularly important.”

  As German President Christian Wulff marked during the 20th anniversary of German reunification, “Islam is also part of Germany.” Indeed, Muslim population in Germany amounts four million. These are citizens and migrants that are generally making a great contribution to the country.

  Read more here

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• Researchers agree that immigration is economically and socially beneficial to Europe

  
  

  With the economic downturn fears are growing across European societies that immigrants are hindering, not helping. According to Eurostat, EU’s statistics agency, the 27 members countries of the EU were host to 32 million foreign citizens in 2009, of which around one third were from another EU27 country.

  Christian Dustmann, economics professor at University College London and director of its Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration reminds that “for companies wanting a qualified, flexible labor force, migrants are important.” Moreover, Dustman’s research on the cost-benefit of migrants in UK concluded that “even in worst-case scenarios, [we found] they (migrants) contributed far more to the system than what they took out”. This can be explained because migrants are 60% less likely to claim benefits than natives.

  Migration in Europe can result in a win-win outcome. Indeed, according to Klaus Zimmermann, president of the Berlin-based think tank German Institute for Economic Research, Europe will continue to need migrants. Due to low birth rates and aging population Europe needs “at least 500,000 more immigrants annually to ensure [our] economic strength.”

  Read more here

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• UN Secretary-General warns against the “policies of discrimination and exclusion” in Europe

  
  

  UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon addressed the European Parliament on the 60th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. In his speech, Ban Ki-moon acknowledged that Europe has been example of peaceful change through ever-closer integration and of respect to Human Rights. However, he showed his disappointment and concern on the situation of migrants in the continent.

  For instance, Ban Ki-moon reminded that, twenty years after it was adopted, “none of Europe’s largest and most wealthy powers have signed or ratified” the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families. Moreover, he warned against the “policies of discrimination and exclusion” that are being justified in growing “anxiety” over immigration and “economic hard times.” UN Secretary-General also reminded that “when it comes to Human Rights, there should be no selectivity “because Human Rights are not a menu, from which we just can pick and choose.”

  Ban Ki-moon, finally, made a call to respect cultural diversity without “compromising our fundamental principles and never tolerating intolerance”. Respect for all kinds of diversity is essential to build a Europe that “gives everyone the same chances for success.”

  Read the complete speech here

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• Are countries shutting their doors to migrants?

  
  

  In an article published in the Minnpost, several experts analyze the status of migration in different regions of the world. Migration isn’t just about rich countries shunning the arrival of migrants from poorer ones. According to the UNDP, only about one-third of migrants move from a developing country to a developed one.

  The economic downturn has increased feelings of fear and mistrust among nationals from host societies. People have the feeling that immigrants will take jobs, tax services, increase crime, and alter national identities. In this context, the article analyzes the restriction of migration policies in several European countries, the US, Mexico, South Africa or Israel.

  However, migration is more needed today than ever. Several European countries have discovered that a cap on labor migration quotas will only slow economic recovery. For this reason, Germany, for instance, is reviewing its migration policies in order to fill labor gaps in industry, health care, and high-tech sectors; In order to protect Human Rights, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain have all implemented amnesties for some undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers; And, in 2008, the Mexican government decriminalized immigration and will adopt this year a law that allows migrants to seek medical and other care.

  Read more here

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• Challenges of migrant women in ageing societies

  
  

  The FEMAGE project has released the report “Immigrant Women and their integration in ageing societies” . Coordinated by the Bundesinstitut fuer Bevoelkerungsforschung and funded by the European Commission, the general objectives of FEMAGE were “to generate and gain knowledge about the experiences, living conditions, and expectations of third country immigrant women regarding their migration and integration on the one hand, and investigate the need for female immigration in ageing societies on the other.”

  The report shows that migration affects profoundly family lives and gender roles of migrant women. Difficulties to access labour market, social isolation and adjustement to their gender role make it difficult for them to make serious plans for old age in the host country. Negative attitudes of nationals towards them are often inspired by the fear of competition on the labour market altough migrant women consider that, in general, they are perceived positively by the natives.

  Regarding ethnicity, in all migrant groups women experienced being subordinated as a woman. The majority of natives expect that foreigners have to adapt to the host countries. Multiculturalism is not the preferred approach of natives that would rather migrants to learn the language and the customs of the host country. The overwhelming majority of migrant women share the quest for permanence and integration.

  The report concludes with a series of policy implications stressing that “efficient integration policies should focus on full integration – that is cultural, socio-economic and civic-political.”

  Read the full report here

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• Australian attitudes towards immigration and asylum-seekers

  
  

  Monash University, UNAOC Research Network Partner, has released the results of a national survey mapping Australian attitudes on a range of issues, including discrimination, attitudes towards immigration, immigrants and asylum-seekers.

  Conducted by Professor Andrew Markus, the survey is part of the Scanlon Foundation’s Social Cohesion Research Program (in cooperation with the Australian Multicultural Foundation and the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements).

  The 2010 survey found that the level of opposition to immigration remains low although there is an increase in negative views of immigration. But Australians broadly support a non-discriminatory immigration program that is perceived to be furthering the Australian national interest. The survey also concludes that there is greater support (67 percent) for the admission of asylum seekers.

  The survey finds that discrimination on the basis of skin color, ethnic origin or religion has increased from 10 percent in 2009 to 14 percent in 2010 but it remains low. For instance, 74 percent of respondents’ attitudes towards Muslims were either positive or neutral. Moreover, it was observed that those with positive or neutral attitudes towards immigrants were the majority. Indeed, almost 63 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that “accepting immigrants from many different countries makes Australia stronger.”

  Read the report here

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• Mexico City’s new policies on interculturality and integration

  
  

  Mexico City’s future intercultural strategy was discussed in a forum that took place in the city at the end of August. As a result, Mexico City is in the process of adopting a law titled “Hospitality, Intercultural Attention to Migrants and Human Mobility in the Federal District”.

  Mexico City is one of the most diverse cities in Latin America. The municipality tailors its social policies to protect fundamental rights of individuals. With the aim of actively involving and engaging with the citizens, this law will fight racist and discriminatory discourse and acts and will support initiatives encouraging diversity.

  With an increasing number of migrants from different backgrounds, the city aims to set policy, mechanisms and standards in the areas of hospitality, multiculturalism and human mobility for migrant families. Engagement of public and private sectors in planning and implementing policies and programmes is another key feature of this law that seeks to promote the participation of migrants.

  Read more here

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• Images, public perceptions and integration of Muslim migrants

  
  

  Managing public perceptions through provision of illustrations and management of images play an essential role in the integration of migrants. Images have an impressive power in affecting collective subconscious. Images have invaded streets through advertising and livingrooms through television, the Internet and magazines. Campaign experts resort to suggestive images that cannot be ignored. Indeed, images can promote fear and mistrust or can inspire confidence and friendship.

  For instance, recently, the French magazine L’Express addressed the issue of Islam and the West. According to Rue89 journalist Walid Salem, the front page of a recent issue offers an image that fuels the perception of Islam wanting to take over the West. With a close-up picture of a lightened minaret and a darkened bell tower in the background, the image suggests that Islam is challenging and over-taking Christian religion and Western culture. Salem suggests that the image of a blond and a veiled girl together and smiling could have been chosen, had one wanted to suggest that Islam is not a danger to Europe and that integration of Muslims is a reality. This point illustrates the need for readers to be able to analyse the difference between opinion and fact, and to resist better to the manipulation of false ideas. The danger of instrumentalized information is that it can in turn influence the reality it is pretending to describe.

  On the other hand, statements that affect positively the public image of communities are essential in improving perceptions. For instance, Tareq Oubrou, Imam of Bordeaux, France has initiated a campaign against homophobia. This campaign aims to fight physical or psychological violence against homosexuals. Oubrou acknowledges that homosexual relationships are not promoted in Islamic ethics, but that homosexuals must be considered as good Muslims as any other member of the community. Moreover, punishing homosexuals cannot be found anywhere in Islamic law, thus legal punishment of homosexuality must be banned in Muslim majority countries where it still exists. With this campaign, the imam aims to assert that Islam is a religion of peace.

  Read the interview with Tareq Oubrou here (in French)

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• Workshops for community building

  
  

  In partnership with the City of Williams Lake in Canada, the association Ear to the Ground Planning has organized a workshop that aims to connect youth, elders and community leaders from different backgrounds and discuss issues of violence and racism.

  Called Inter-Generational Dialogues, the workshop encourages respectful listening and sharing as a means for participants to discuss life in Williams Lake, “with the aim of moving forward towards a place of relationship and trust.”

  In the same line, Urban Ink Productions, a Vancouver-based theatre company, will host in October 14-15, 2010 an ancestral research session for youth and elders called Looking Back, Moving Forward In November 19-21, 2010 Urban Ink in partnership with the Community Arts Council of Williams Lake will host a workshop called Arrivals.

  These projects aim to build bridges and understanding among different cultures using theatre processes.

  Read more here

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• Internship Program helps newcomers integrate in Canada

  
  

  Canada has launched a New Federal Internship for Newcomers Program. Over the past two years, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) ran two similar pilot internship initiatives. These initiatives benefited 29 interns last year.

  Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Natural Resources Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency have joined the Fall 2010 program. For 60 newcomers this internship will be “an opportunity to acquire temporary Canadian work experience in fields relevant to their skills and experience.” Canadian work experience is essential for newcomers to succeed in the competitive Canadian labor market.

  Read more here

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• International Conference explores integration of Orthodox Migrants in the West

  
  

  The University of Neuchâtel – Switzerland organizes an international conference about the establishment of Orthodox Churches in several European countries and the United States and their contribution to integration of Orthodox migrants in the West.

  The conference presents social research findings regarding integration paterns, mechanisms and strategies of Orthodox migrants; their socio-economic issues; and the role of liturgical service, communities and worship places in their integration.

  More information about the conference programme here

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• Destination Casa Blanca returns with a series on immigration

  
  

  Destination Casa Blanca is weekly round-table discussion of the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN). Focusing on political debate and news analysis on relevant areas for the US Latino community, the series features a series of discussions on immigration.

  It includes discussion about the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (D.R.E.A.M Act); the 14th amendment in relation to Arizona’s immigration bill; racism & affirmative action; and the reasons behind immigration: Mexico & Latin America 200 years later.

  The debates gathered professionals in the field of migration such as MPI’s Marc Rosenblum or the Vice President of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Eric Rojo.

  Videos can be watched here

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• Photo Exhibition about Spanish Immigrants in New York

  
  

  The King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center at NYU hosts the photo exhibit “La Colonia” from September 17, 2010 to January 9, 2011. Organized by the New-York Historical Society and El Museo del Barrio, this exhibition will chronicle the history of Spanish workers that migrated to US in the early decades of the twentieth century. “La Colonia” is part of the exhibition “New York (1613-1945)” that explores the role that Latinos and Spanish-speaking countries have played in shaping New York.

  Read more here

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• Multicultural center Sweden

  
  
  

  Photo: Allehanda Newspaper

  Multicultural center Sweden

  My name is Aline Cordeiro Andersson. I live in Sweden. I read that the United Nations submitted a report last fall at the UN Security Council showing that Sweden does not comply in many areas with various UN Conventions and pointing in particular to the increasing number of reported hate crimes, increasing violence against women and decades of discrimination against Samer/indigenous groups “(Swedish Daily News). This is why I had a great interest in writing to the newspaper and sharing about my project, which is simply about the better integration of immigrants in the country. I was also alerted by the local newspaper in Örnsköldsviks city. My articles were published twice and my municipality received my project with great interest. Örnsköldsvik’s Diversity Center will be a good example in all the Nordic countries about positive cultural exchange and migration. It will offer seminars with social workers and ordinary immigrants (and refugees), there should be an open videoroom showing films from around the world and there should be books that everyone can read about different countries. There will be a knowledge center. This project is intended not only for Örnsköldsvik, but for the whole of Sweden and even Europe.

  What I want is to show my work and get some contacts. Despite all my efforts to make a better world, starting with Sweden, the country I live now, with no contacts, even if I work hard, things will be almost impossible. I am a mother of small children, foreigner in Sweden. I am alone and I need support to help build a tolerant Sweden and world.

  Aline Cordeiro Andersson

  Location:

  , Sweden

  Policy/practice area:

  Cultural integration

  Keywords:

  Anti-discrimination, Arts, Culture and diversity, Education, Ethnicity, Intercultural outreach, Media and diversity, Refugees and asylum seekers, School, Women, Youth

  Contact Information:

  Email: aline.andersson@yahoo.com

  Other stakeholders involved in this practice:

  A private person can make a difference ! Aline has no supporters but she believes she can help to make a better world.

  ---

  Send us your opinion or comments on this practice

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• Better education for integration in Germany

  
  

  The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of Germany announced new measures in the field of education to promote the integration of migrants. These measures vary on the 16 German states and include hiring teachers with foreign backgrounds to reduce the rate of children from immigrant families that drop out of school; introduce free kindergartens; or expose children of migrants to language-training programs.

  According to Mr. de Maizière, the interior minister, although 10 to 15 percent of immigrants refuse a lot of integration opportunities, “the big majority of those who are here (in Germany) want to be integrated.”

  Read more here

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• Cities, Migrants and Diversity, this year’s Anna Lindh Foundation priority field

  
  

  The Anna Lindh Foundation call for proposals aims at providing funding for innovative projects that contribute to bring people together and promote respect for diversity and better understanding . This year, the Foundation focuses on the role of cities as places to live together in diversity. Diversity and migration are nowadays major challenges in the cities of the Euro-Mediterranean area.

  Proposals have to “promote knowledge of social and cultural diversity of populations with a migration background” especially in urban areas; empower “the role of migrants as actors of development;” or develop practices strengthening social cohesion in multicultural urban contexts.

  Deadline is Novermber 1st, 2010 at 4 p.m. GMT+2

  Visit the call for proposals here

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• Irish Churches together in the promotion of integration and diversity

  
  

  The Irish Inter-Church Meeting, representing Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches, affirmed its commitment with integration of migrants, multiculturalism and diversity in the country. The statement that sets out 10 specific commitments was issued yesterday in Belfast.

  Some of the commitments include “to recognise and appreciate cultural and ethnic diversity as gifts of God”; fight against racism and xenophobia; “foster faith communities where the rights of each person are respected“; and advocate for the rights of migrants and the provision of appropriate services to meet their needs.

  Read more here

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• Succesful integration stories of Roma in France

  
  

  Outside Paris’ city limits about 20 small pre-fabricated box homes talk about integration of Roma in France. This project was promoted by a charity and the local government. Roma that live there committed themselves to find a job and send their children to school.

  This project has proven that Roma are willing to integrate. The project has been copied elsewhere in the country. As the charity worker Marion Nairelet recalls, “people have to stop thinking they are thieves, it’s a prejudice.”

  Read more here

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• Building Cultural Competence in the Workplace workshop

  
  

  The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) will be delivering a Building Cultural Competence in the Workplace workshop across Victoria during September, October and November 2010. This full-day workshop has been designed to include elements of cross cultural communication. Several issues that will be addressed include the benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace; strategies to develop and implement a workplace cultural diversity plan; etc.

  Sessions will be held in Ballarat (10/9), Melbourne (16/9), Bendigo (15/10), Mildura (27/10), Wodonga (4/11). Melbourne (10/11) and Warrnambool (16/11).

  Read more here

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• The Italian Conference of Bishops advocates for Roma people’s rights

  
  

  In reference to the expulsion of Roma people, Giancarlo Perego of the Italian Episcopal Conference defended that European citizens cannot be expelled only because they weigh heavily on the welfare system. Roma people are members of the EU. The free movement of people is “one of the fundamental principles of tomorrow’s Europe.” The creation of such an immigration policy would reignite nationalist feelings.

  Read more here

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• Diversity is Australia’s major strength

  
  

  The former Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks affirms that migrants have been pivotal to the nation’s success. Australia needs to recommit to multiculturalism for practical reasons. Mr. Bracks affirms that “diversity — when it’s dwelled upon as a point of difference — can be scary. But that’s no excuse for backing away from what is in our best interests as a people.” In this article, he insists that diversity is a strength, not a weakness, that Australians have far more to gain than fear.

  Read more here

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• Migration contributes to business success in Germany

  
  

  A Cologne-based public relations firm has found a strength in multiculturalism. The firm employs people with roots in Turkey, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Japan, Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This multiculturalism is good for both the business and the employees.

  The firm serves foreign businesses looking to target German consumers, and German businesses with an interest in residents with non-German roots. At the same time, it helps employees to integrate. As Thomas Mueller, founder of the firm affirms “employees develop a very strong confidence and personal identity and are much prouder of their double-identity and their double-roots.”

  Read more here

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• Youth documentaries and interviews about migration

  
  

  The Ilminster-based charity Glade (UK) is running a project that aims to educate teenagers about global issues with the use of media and visual arts.

  Since May 2010, the group of youth has interviewed people from Poland, Afghanistan, Angola, Botswana and Sudan. They have asked the interviewees to share their experiences of what life was like in their homeland and how this compares to Somerset. This is a way to celebrate diversity and in doing so combat racism and negative attitudes to immigrants.

  To join the group, email jessicawitchell@tiscali.co.uk.

  Read more here

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• The difficult integration of Chinese migrants in Africa

  
  

  In this article published by the chinese media website Danwei, Tessa Thorniley explores the reasons and consequences of Chinese migration in Africa, interviewing migrants and locals in Windhoek, Luanda, Beijing and Shanghai. Thorniley describes how the rapid growth of small Chinese-owned businesses is viewed by locals with suspicion and, in some cases, hostility. The estimated number of Chinese migrants in the continent is one million. The integration of these individuals is not actively sought. Several reasons can be found in this lack of integration.

  First of all, Africans perceive Chinese as a danger to their economy and survival. These fears are partially originated by wrong perceptions because Chinese investment benefits African economies. However, it is true that ordinary people see how many jobs are being done by Chinese.

  Secondly, the nature of Chinese migration in Africa. Many Chinese migrants went over to Africa to work for state-owned businessess with the idea of returning to China. Companies usually offer them a bed in a dormitory, thus they don’t have the chance to mix with Africans. The two sides remain clearly divided because Chinese usually live, work and sleep on their work facilities. This “lack of strong ties between the communities has created distrust and resentment.”

  Finally, cultural differences are not being addressed. In that sense, Chinese in Africa are often destabilized by their inability to comprehend the attitudes of the locals. Together with the lack of knowledge of the local language and with differences in business practices, this cultural gap deepens the divide. Nonetheless, some initiatives try to bridge this gap. The Confucious Insitute in Cameroun teaches Chinese to the African population. The great interest in these courses, with some 2000 students all over the country, is not only caused by an anticipation of finantial developments but also by the curiosity and respect for the culture of the newcomers.

  Read the full article here

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• Muslim migrants well integrated in Scotland

  
  

  A poll conducted by the British Council Scotland shows that two-thirds (65%) of respondents has a favourable opinion towards Muslims. A majority also thinks that Muslims living in Scotland are loyal to the country. Most of the respondents, both Muslims and non-Muslims, felt the process of integrating was easier in Scotland than England. Three factors contribute to this perception: smaller number of Muslim migrants, less fear of terrorism and the particular features of Scottish people.

  Read more here

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• First Indian Chair in Diaspora Studies

  
  

  The Indian University Grants Commission (UGC) has agreed to create a chair for diaspora studies at the Goa university. The Indian diaspora is estimated to number over twenty million. The chair will conduct research and teaching on this subject of big relevance in a comparative effort along with the study of migration in other countries.

  Read more here

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• Diversity Awards promote good integration practices in business

  
  

  Corp! Magazine celebrates the Fourth Annual Salute to Diversity Awards Ceremony on August 31, 2010. Honorees have been selected based on significant achievements in a category, as well as a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, and contributions to diversity issues in business and the community.

  Read more here

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• Fellowships on Forced Migration in South Asia

  
  

  The Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group (CRG) is offering two writing fellowships on Forced Migration in South Asia. Eligible candidates from Nepal , Sri Lanka or Bangladesh should submit a research proposal on any field related to forced migration. Application deadline is 13th August 2010.

  Read more information here

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• Australian broadcaster committed with multiculturalism

  
  

  The Australian network SBS renews its commitment to ethnic communities. The board members of the multicultural and multilingual network “have attended a round of private dinners with ethnic community leaders in several states to garner their views on directions for the network.” This attention to communities’ needs contributes to their integration and reflects the diversity of Australia.

  Read more here

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• NYC Mayor Bloomberg on the “Ground-Zero Mosque” debate

  
  

  Following the announcement of plans to build a Muslim-led interfaith and cultural center a few hundred feet from Ground-Zero, a debate started in New York, across the United States, and internationally on whether such a center, which will also house a mosque, should be allowed so close to the World Trade Center site.

  In a speech delivered on August 3rd, Mayor Bloomberg speaks on the importance of Freedom of Religion in the United States and its historic roots in New York city. He also highlights the crucial role of immigration in building the city:

  “Our doors are open to everyone – everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard and play by the rules. New York City was built by immigrants, and it is sustained by immigrants – by people from more than a hundred different countries speaking more than two hundred different languages and professing every faith. And whether your parents were born here, or you came yesterday, you are a New Yorker.

  We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors. That’s life and it’s part of living in such a diverse and dense city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with your neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance.”

  Read Mayor’s Bloomberg’s full speech

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• How to work on Women’s Health issues across cultural differences

  
  

  Female genital mutilation (FGM – also known as Female genital cutting), is a practice linked to cultural traditions that leads to severe physical and mental health consequences. It origins from earlier than Christianity and Islam, and is practiced heavily in certain parts of Asia and Africa. Despite an international protocol to end FGM and laws forbidding the practice in most countries, FGM remains an important tradition in many regions.
  In Europe and North America, issues related to FGM are very often quoted as one of the challenges of adaptation that migrant families deal with in their new countries. Different initatives illustrate concerted efforts to end the practice with the help of the concerned communities:

  • In Ireland, the prevalence of FGM amongst African women has demonstrated that it is a real issue for service providers. Health professionals feel ill equipped to deal with the issue, noting a deficit of knowledge and skills on the subject and on how to meet the needs of concerned women. In partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the NGO AkiDwa has developped a program and a training manual on “Female Genital Mutilation, Information for Health-Care Professionals Working in Ireland”.
    In addition to health-specific recommendations, the manual highlights several findings that are relevant to community work on culturally sensitive topics, such as approaches based on ethical and practical concerns when discussing the sensitive and complex issue of FGM with women affected, and methods to develop stronger prevention of FGM and how to reach out to migrant communities. The importance of building the capacity of migrant women and their families to challenge the practice of FGM and of increasing awareness from and within the communities were highlighted, in addition to translation services in clinics and the active engagement of religious community leaders to condemn the practice of FGM.
    • Download the training manual here
    • Read more about the evaluation of the program here
    • Ireland’s National Plan of Action to Address Femal Genital Mutilation

   

  • In Norway, the Muslim religious leader Imam Abdinur Mahamud has taken a leading role in fighting against FGM. In addition to making public statements against FGM based on Quran and Sharia analysis, he has written a book on the subject, that will be translated in Norwegian, English and in Somali. In his book, the Imam from the city of Trondheim makes clear that all forms of female circumcision are in conflict with Islam.
    • Read more here

  These examples of initiatives involving local communities, and in particular religious and cultural leaders, could prove to be valid models for grass-roots consultations and empowerment on other sensitive topics, such as for instance the current European debates on the full veil.

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• Internal migration in China, an integration challenge

  
  

  An estimated number of 200 million Chinese migrants has left the countryside and lives in cities. These internal migrants lack access to basic rights such as schooling, housing and education. A recent conference organized by the Association for Canadian Studies, with China’s Fudan University and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted that the use of the hukou – or official household registration card is at the base of this situation. This hereditary card records people as living where their families are originally from and is necessary to access to social services. Thus internal migrants are often in a legal vacuum situation.

  Some reforms have been introduced in the hukou system. Migrants with a fixed and legal residence and a stable source of income can obtain urban hukou in medium-size cities, and, therefore, can have access to urban social benefits. Further reforms in the system are needed to achieve socio-economic integration in bigger cities. This requires funds to be set aside for migrant needs. In the long term, socio-economic integration will have a positive impact in the Chinese economy and social fabric. A representative of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China at the Canada-China forum, held this year in Shanghai, said that China accepts this challenging situation and will continue to promote diversity and inclusion.

  Read this article here

  More information about the Hukou Reform here

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• Mentorship Program for Ethnic Youth-at-Risk

  
  

  The London InterCommunity Health Centre (LIHC) operates an innovative program in partnership with several local organizations of London, Ontario, Canada. The Ethno-Racial Mentoring Program matches 80 young people with mentors that will address their specific integration needs. The program aims to engage the young participants in the community as a way to help them step away from risky behavior.

  This program is part of LIHC’s work for integration of migrants. Other programs include the Immigrant Senior’s Home Visiting Program and the program “Women of the World” that helps migrant women arrived to Canada “to recognize their own skills, develop friendships and to become informed about services and people who may help them to adjust to life in Canada.”

  Read about this here

  For more information, please visit LIHC website

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• IOM Member States discuss Migration and Social Change

  
  

  The second intersessional workshop of the International Dialogue on Migration was held 19-20 July 2010 in Geneva. Titled “Societies and Identities: The Multifaceted Impact of Migration,” this workshop continued the year-long overarching theme chosen by the IOM membership, “Migration and Social Change.”

  A total of 178 participants attended the workshop, including a wide variety of stakeholders from 66 IOM member and observer states, 12 international organizations and 8 non-governmental organizations. Participants also joined from academia, civil society and the private sector.

  The key purpose of this workshop was to foster dialogue between policymakers and practitioners on the ways in which migration has transformed their societies, with a focus specifically on the social and cultural dimensions of change. Through highlighting best practices and sharing innovative policy ideas, speakers provided a strong base from which to discuss the development of integration policies that reflect the varied needs of migrants in societies of origin, transit and destination.

  Supplemental materials, including the agenda, background paper, relevant documents and speaker biographies and presentations can be found at the workshop’s website (english – français – español)

  Thematic Overview >>

  Over the two days of the workshop, several key areas for reflection and action arose, both from the panel presentations and the comments contributed by participants.

  Much debate was generated around the roles and responsibilities of governments in shaping the perception of migrants and migration in societies of origin and destination. Particular attention was paid to the relationship between governments and mainstream, multicultural or “ethnic” media. Participants recognized that policy positions and national realities sometimes may not reflect local, day-to-day experiences, leading to the adoption or acceptance of harmful “migration myths”. To counteract extremist, racist or xenophobic rhetoric, governments have a stake in providing realistic and fact-based images of migrants. In this way they can facilitate community dialogue and work toward greater social cohesion.

  Another important message was the need for governments and practitioners to view integration as a process of mutual adaptation. The importance of supporting migrants and preparing them for integration—and eventual reintegration—was emphasized. However, integration was also linked intimately to development in societies of origin and to openness and willingness to accept change in societies of destination, in some cases to the extent of community transformation.

  Many discussions touched on the importance of developing regional strategies and bilateral partnerships to manage migration. Using examples from Africa, South America and Europe, speakers highlighted the role of inter-State cooperation in facilitating the regularization of migrants, strengthening the link between migration and development, and encouraging mutual understanding between societies of origin, transit and destination as well as the migrants who move between them.

  Furthermore, partnerships should also be initiated or strengthened between governments and various grassroots stakeholder groups, especially to meet the needs of vulnerable groups. Some groups to consider include those that may not traditionally be included in migration discussions, for example youth organizations, the elderly and organizations focusing on children and families, as well as those that can play an evolving role in development, like hometown associations and diaspora networks.

  Finally, in an important reiteration of the theme from the first intersessional workshop, held in March of this year, respect for the rights, needs and identities of individual migrants was an underlying thread linking all the panel discussions.

  In summary, the workshop had great success in meeting its primary objectives: namely, the exchange of knowledge regarding current challenges to migration management and integration and the sharing of concrete, actionable best practices in addressing the needs of migrant communities. In this way, it fulfilled its goal of enhancing capacity-building for Members, Observers and various other IOM partners to work towards the creation of inclusive societies.

  Speakers’ and panels’ summaries >>

  IOM Director General William Lacy Swing delivered the welcoming remarks.

  Keynote speaker Dr. Peggy Levitt of Wellesley College shared her research on social remittances and development in the community of Boca Canasta, Dominican Republic, and reminded policymakers of the need to think transnationally.

  The two side events planned alongside the Workshop were well attended and elicited many questions from the audience. On the first day, IOM colleagues Ms. Pindie Stephen and Ms. Elizabeth Warn from LFM presented on the Nordic model of pre- and post-arrival support and on assessing migrant resource centres, respectively. The second day, IOM Observer the European Youth Forum organized a panel on their recent initiatives to encourage capacity-building among youth organizations, in order to better include the voices of young migrants in existing youth organizations and in the creation of social policy.

  Ms. Michele Klein Solomon, Director of MPR set out a roadmap for the conference in her scene-setting presentation, noting the particular impact of migration on social change in the areas of population distribution, gender and family relations, social norms, and social cohesion.

  Actress Nastasa Marjanovic literally stole the show as this year’s Migrant Voice. She began by staging “infiltration theatre,” appearing in the conference room dressed as a cleaning lady and interrupting the panel with questions. She then transitioned into the formal panel with a presentation that combined dramatic arts, song, dance and spoken word to describe her experience as a migrant fleeing from the former Yugoslavia to Portugal, her current place of residence. As in previous years, this component of the IDM attracted substantial attention and excitement from conference participants.

  The panel sessions began with a brief overview of the relationship between migrants and society. The need for active government engagement with migrants in both origin and destination countries was stressed by the representative of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Ali El Mahmdi. The Government of Australia’s efforts to encourage integration, as presented by Mr. Peter van Vliet, start by acknowledging the following two principles: everyone belongs; and everyone needs some help, some of the time. Both presenters noted how changes in migration flows over the last half century had shaped their societies and necessitated new roles for their governments in engaging with migrant communities.

  The important role of the media was highlighted in the second panel, with Spain in its role as moderator placing particular emphasis on the need for encouraging good practices among media professionals and mainstream media organizations. This issue was further elaborated by Mr. Chinedu Onyejelem, the editor of one of Ireland’s largest multicultural newspapers. The link to governments’ roles in this process was made clearly by Argentina, represented by Ms. Nora Pérez Vichich, and Ms. Sarah Mulley from the Institute for Political Policy Research in the United Kingdom. Both talked about governments’ responsibilities in the promotion of equality between migrants and citizens through legislation, access to and provision of services, and dissemination of fair, unbiased and realistic images and news reports. Finally, the panel concluded with contributions from Mr. Ken Mutuma from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who addressed the need for partnerships with local government in facilitating integration through community dialogue.

  In the third session, the need for government support for migrants’ families and other vulnerable groups formed a central theme. Mr. Salvador Berúmen Sandoval of the National Migration Institute in Mexico focused on keeping the children of migrants a main concern, while Ms. Mulayka Laura Enriello of CO.RE.IS, the Italian Islamic Religious Community, discussed the need to consider the religious needs of migrants and migrant children during the formation of social and education policies. On the other hand, a presentation from City of Edinburgh Council, Scotland, represented by Ms. Glenda Watt, outlined the city’s efforts to incorporate older people’s needs and concerns into community development projects, with attention paid to addressing the special needs of elderly migrants and members of the Black, minority and ethnic communities.

  The final session returned to the theme of our keynote address, looking at the concept of “social remittances” and migrant contributions to societies of destination and origin. Rwanda, represented by Mr. Deo Nkusi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, emphasized the need to maintain close ties to the diaspora, as did Ms. Teresita Manzala speaking for the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers in the Philippines. A presentation by Mr. Robert Palmer of the Council of Europe emphasized the work of cities and municipal governments in adopting “intercultural” practices. A joint presentation by Ms. Florence Laufer of the UN Alliance of Civilizations and Ms. Christine Aghazarm of the IOM offered an introduction to a new tool for sharing these practices, namely the recently-launched online community IBIS.

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• Islam lessons to promote integration in Germany

  
  

  In an interview, the German Minister of Education, Annette Schavan defends that introducing Islam lessons in German schools will help Muslim migrants to integrate. She believes that Muslim communities in Germany should understand themselves as part of German society. For that to happen, there must be an open dialogue between Islam and Christianity. Prejudice can only be reduced if Islam becomes transparent to the German society. The integration of Islam courses as part of the curricula is therefore essential.

  Schavan also shows her support to university Islam courses. Germany needs religious leaders who “have learned about their religion scientifically and thus also critically.”

  Read this article here

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• Tariq Ramadan: fear of Islam in Europe is due to perceptions, not to immigration

  
  

  The Muslim scholar of the University of Oxford describes in this interview what role Muslims have to play in Western societies. Tariq Ramadan recommends to separate the discussion about Europe’s immigration issues from the question of the participation in society of Muslim European citizens and the topic of Islamophobia.

  Muslim Europeans are not all immigrants – therefore the concept of integration should not be used in reference to them. The issue is rather about how to live together in community and build the same Europe beyond different religious or secular identities.

  In this long interview, Ramadan also addresses the different forms of secularism that can be adopted by different countries and the fact that Muslims must accept pluralism in Western societies. He believes that a lack of self-confidence is the Muslims’ biggest obstacle to integration in Europe.

  Read the complete interview in French here

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• Ibero-American Forum on Migration & Development: focus on migration and economic recession

  
  

  Representatives of the 22 Portuguese-Spanish speaking countries convene in San Salvador on July 22 2010 to discuss the impact of the financial crisis on migrants and their families.

  IOM Deputy Director General, Ambassador Laura Thompson points out not only that migrants’ human rights have to be protected in the present time, but also that “migration can be a positive force to alleviate certain aspects of the economic downturn.” It is essential to find new ways to better manage migration so that it becomes a real contribution to development.

  IOM article on the event here

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• Canada celebrates its multiculturalism and diversity

  
  

  Every summer, Canada celebrates its multicultural reality with numerous festivals. These festivals bring together a rich diversity of cultural heritages, represented by ethnic and community groups living together in Canada. The communities present the music, food, costumes and dances of their country of origin.

  The Surrey Fusion Festival, in Vancouver, is the most recent one but it is only one among many that take place during the summer in Canada. For instance, we find the Mosaïq festival, organized by the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area, the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival, the Multicultural Festival in Halifax or Calgary’s Global Fest.

  Schedules and more information about these festivals:

  • Multicultural Festival in Halifax
  • Surrey Fusion Festival
  • Mosaïq festival
  • Calgary’s Global Fest
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  • UK’s minister: banning the burka would be “rather un-British”

    
    

    UK’s Immigration Minister Damian Green has stated that banning the burka in UK would run against the conventions of a “tolerant and mutually respectful society.”

    In an interview to the Daily Telegraph, Green has presented the new government’s policies on immigration. They aim to control the migratory flows by changing the perception that migrants have towards the UK as a ‘soft’ country with regard to migration issues.

    Although immigration policies will be tougher starting from mid-2010, Green reaffirms his decision to rule out a burka ban and any rule against religious minorities’ rights, especially Islam. The new head of the Muslim Council of Britain, Farooq Murad, has indeed praised the important freedom Muslims are given in UK. For Murad, this freedom is the proof of Great British’s sense of fairness and justice.

    Read this article here

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  • Soccer contributes to integration in Australia

    
    

    The Mock World Cup in the city of Hume in Australia promotes the participation of soccer players with different backgrounds and cultures. Immigrants from eight countries representing Nigeria, Nepal, China, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Eritrea, Tanzania and Sudan took part in the event.

    The initiative contributed to overcome language, cultural and social barriers with the universal language of sport and team work. The event has been supported by important local and national, governmental and sports institutions.

    Read this article here

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