IOM fears of a possible exodus of Zimbabwean migrants from South Africa
In 2008, more than 60 people were killed during anti-foreigner attacks in South Africa – foreigners being seen as competition for the scarce jobs available.
In 2010, 1.5 million to 2 million Zimbabweans work and live in South Africa. After the end of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, many Zimbabweans flee the country for fear of new xenophobic attacks.
In this article, IOM spokesman Jared Bloch explains why these migrants “are returning indefinitely because of the fear of violence.”Read about this here
Caribbean Multicultural NAPA Festival 2010
Trinidad and Tobago brings to a close the NAPA festival organized by the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism. This internationally recognized festival is celebrated every year in one of the most multicultural countries in the Caribbean.
Indeed, Trinidad and Tobago has been a melting pot since the eighteen century. More recently, newcomers have enriched the cultural diversity of the country even more.
Trinidad and Tobago receives one-third of all Caribbean migrants in the region. These migrants have their origin in Venezuela and to a lesser extent, Guyana, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.Read about this here
HRW proposes changes in the US immigration law to better protect migrants’ rights
Human Right Watch’s most recent report on US immigration law, called “Tough, Fair, and Practical” proposes several changes in US law that may result in a better protection of the migrants’ Human Rights.
These reforms include the legalization of undocumented immigrants, the facilitation of exploited workers reports, reconsidering the conditions for repatriation when a crime has been committed, etc.
When undocumented workers or their children suffer, according to the report, “all Americans are harmed” because, the US is based on a system than gets weakened when human rights are not fully respected.Read the article here
Download the full report hereOECD blames economic crisis for global fall in migration
The OECD has just issued its “International Migration Outlook 2010″. The report highlights that the number of migrants going to the most developed countries dropped by 6% in 2008.
It also points out that the decreasing trend in migration in Western countries may affect their economic recovery. As the EU’s home affairs commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom states, the EU will continue to need migrants to fill in the labor gaps and overcome the challenges of ageing.
In that sense, OECD affirms that migration helps boost region economy and that it is urgent to overcome stereotypes that blame foreign workers with unfair competition against nationals. Finally, the OECD also cautions against the vulnerable situation of migrants in this time of economic downturn.
More information on the report here
Jeb Bush calls for more efforts to integrate newcomers in the USA
In this article published in the Washington Post, the former governor of Florida Jeb Bush and Robert D. Putnam put the current heated debate on immigration into a historical perspective. They retrace America’s past experiences in migrant integration, and highlight the fact that this process has always been gradual and progressive.
The article calls for communities and governments to increase efforts in providing education and language classes to newcomers, while rethinking the repartition of immigrant-related responsabilities and duties between local and national governements.Read the article here
Migration and Integration in the UNAOC Rio de Janeiro Forum
3rd Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (28-29 May 2010, Rio de Janeiro): a network of political and corporate leaders, civil society activists, youth, journalists, international organizations, and religious leaders convened and agreed on joint actions to combat prejudice and build the conditions for long-term peace.
The working session Building Partnerships for the Online Community on Migration and Integration was held on May 27th and the newly launched website was introduced during this session. The small but significant group of participants included representatives from civil society, and from local and national governments. Potential partners discussed ways to build partnerships around the Online Community on Migration and Integration, notably by disseminating the call for good practices in integration to National and Local Goverments, Civil Society and the private sector of each country. Other contributions were discussed, such as cooperation on launching debates or workshops in the regions represented.
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On May 28th, the thematic session 4 Living Together in Urban Societies explored the advantages that cities can achieve from overcoming barriers of ethnicity, culture, social status and distance and connecting people – across neighborhoods and across continents. The session highlighted intercultural cities that realized their ‘diversity advantage’, inviting speakers to exchange on practical methods to resolve disputes and build dialogue, on places and spaces to build a common urban citizenship and to learn from the rich experience of cultures living together in the host city of Rio de Janeiro.
Speakers agreed that diversity in cities was a factor enabling growth and development. They nonetheless highlighted the challenges in addressing poverty and inequality in urban contexts. Second, the role of multilevel governance, and in particular municipalities, was underscored as critical in enhancing the diversity advantage of multi-cultural urban societies, and the role of local governments. Third, speakers addressed the importance of learning about practical, concrete and feasible projects and good practices, such as new technologies and education for a better understanding of cultural diversity.
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On May 29th, the thematic Session 10 Migrants as Agents for Change and Development was based on the observation of a recent increase in the attention given to the positive effects and potential of migration, considering migrants as agents of progress. This session was aimed at addressing the ways for stakeholders at various levels to further the potential of development and positive change through migration. Panelists and public discussed whether efforts for social cohesion can feed into the prevention of international conflicts, and how integration policies can help to foster migrants’ contribution to development and change.
Speakers opened the panel by reaffirming the clear nexus between migration and development, and the necessary acceptance of a cultural, ethnic and religious diversity approach to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The experience of Brazil’s migration history and rich multicultural dimension was cited as an example. Despite the positive effects of migration, including the important role of remittances, the movement of people is not treated in the same way as the movement of goods and services. The current legal frameworks seem to be inadequately defined to deal with the nature of today’s migration flows, from refugees to labor migrants and irregular forms of migration. The diversity of migration streams also show that integration can be much more successful in certain contexts than others (such as intra-regional vs. transatlantic) – although it was noted that building barriers to migration contradicted the ideal of an open and prosperous world, and tended to further discrimination and hatred. Despite growing interactions of migrants with host societies, integration will remain a challenge as long as the fear of the other continues: both need to accept the notion of change and not be afraid of integration.
Relevant stakeholders must build a more positive and collective agenda, to fight against discrimination and xenophobia, and to further reinforce the link between integration and respect for human rights.
Read the summary report hereClick here for more general information on the Rio Forum
Swiss TV shows integration of migrants in their new homeland
SF Wissen is the knowledge platform of SF, the Swiss Television Company. It offers links and archives to some 7000 videos on a variety of topics.
One of the sections is called “Neue Heimat Schweiz” (New Home: Switzerland). It provides a snapshot of different patterns of the integration of “New Swiss” in their host country, and collects videos from the SF programs related to migration and integration.
The reports highlight successful models of social integration, such as a this story of a Kosovar refugee who became an award-winning cheesemonger, this video of a Migrant Serb of Bosnia who is now Lieutenant for the Swiss Army, a report on a social worker from Albanian background, dedicated to the integration of youth from the Balkans, an interview of a Tamil war refugee engaged in local politics or the successful example of a Chinese refugee who owns a fashion label in Zurich.
Check all videos (available in Swiss German only… for the time being!)
Global Migration: an omnipresent force
This New York Times article describes the role of migration in today’s world as the third wave of the Globalization. Jason DeParle highlights how a variety of political, economical and social issues and debates are actually linked to immigration.
This recent “transnationalism” is due to several new factors: the real global reach of migration today, the high amounts of money involved (for countries of destination and of origin), the increasing proportion of women in the migrant stock, and the new communication technology available all over the world, that increases peoples capacity to interact across borders.
The article notes that the general public has high expectations towards Governments in managing migration.European and North-American Muslims identify strongly with their countries of residence
The Gallup Coexist Index 2009, A Global Study of Interfaith Relations, found that North Americans are more likely to be tolerant or integrated than Europeans.
The survey classifies respondents in 3 categories: those who are “isolated”, the “tolerant” who are respectful and open to other faiths and practices, and the “integrated” who feel respected by others and are willing to learn more about different religious traditions.British, French, and German Muslims are more likely to identify strongly with their religion than non-Muslim respondents – and they are also identify more strongly with their country. General European populations seem to be unsure about the loyalty of European Muslims to their countries – this contrasts with a strong majority of European Muslims who think that Muslims are loyal to their countries of residence.
As for what integration really means, the majority of the all categories of respondents’ agree that language skills, work employment and education access are the main components of integration success.
Read the article summarizing the results here
Read the full survey on the Muslim West Facts Project website
Cities of Migration: Conference on Integration as an Opportunity Agenda for Cities
Cities of Migration is hosting the first 2010 International Cities of Migration Conference on the theme “Migration to Integration: An Opportunity Agenda for Cities,” October 3-4, in The Hague, Netherlands.
The conference is an excellent opportunity to showcase Good Ideas in Integration to an international audience of city leaders, migration experts and local practioners. Debates, plenaries, a market place of leading ideas and a town-hall promise to make the conference an exciting, inter-active and hands-on learning event to inspire renewed urban leadership and new thinking on migration.
Join to learn about innovative local integration practices, build networks, and promote your project to an international audience. The Toronto-based organization is offering an early-bird discount for registrations before July 30.
Visit Cities of Migration website for the programme and registration details
Integration and anti-radicalization in Amsterdam
This New York times article retraces the experience in migrant integration made by Job Cohen, former Mayor of Amsterdam and candidate to the national elections. Russel Shorto describes how Cohen has dealt with the shock caused by the assassination of filmmaker Theo Van Gogh and what innovative measures were taken in the city of Amsterdam. The Mayor focused on maintaining the dialog with Muslim immigrant communities, including with the 2 percent of them that were potentially becoming radicalized.
Ethnic Germans and Immigrants on better terms than expected
The Expert Advisory Board for Integration and Migration (SVR), which was founded in 2008 by eight major foundations involved in social and political advocacy and research, released its first annual report. It contains what the board calls the Integration Climate Index (IKI) which basically takes the temperature of relations between ethnic Germans and immigrants. According to the study “the forecast is sunny and warm.” However, The overwhelmingly positive results do not mean that there are no problems with integration in Germany.
EU: Arab Mediterranean Challenges – Unemployment & Migration
Labor regulations in Arab Mediterranean Countries (AMCs) impose rigid rules and costs but only provide a low level of protection for the majority of workers, increasing migration pressures for them as well.
As result of immigration from the Arab Mediterranean Countries, the European Union is facing a new challenge in providing decent work opportunities for local unskilled labor.
The European University Institute (RSCAS) was selected by the European Commission to carry out a study on the “Labor Markets Performance and Migration Flows in Arab Mediterranean Countries: Determinants and Effects”. It analyzes data from selected Arab Mediterranean Countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the Occupied Palestinian Territories) and also examines the impact of the emigration on the countries of origin.
Assisting migrants in their mobility project
Key to France project
The “Key to France” project was launched in 2004. It is led by the Platform for the Promotion of Integration by Geographic Mobility (PRIM). The objective of the project is to offer to newly arrived refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection encountering difficulties in finding employment and/or housing at their current place of residence (mostly in the Paris metropolitan region) the possibility to start their integration process in another region where they can have better access to employment and housing facilities. It allows to refugees to leave reception centres where asylum seekers are supposed to be accommodated. Finally, it offers a solution to people who are in emergency shelters.
The project consists of the following activities: First, it assists migrants in order to carry out their mobility project. This includes awareness-raising workshops, information on target regions and on employment and housing possibilities there and individual guidance to carry out the mobility plan. Then, the project also informs social workers on relocation possibilities and helps them to set up awareness raising workshops.
The Platform contributes to the installation of beneficiaries of international protection in regions in need of labour force and suffering from demographic deficit. It develops partnerships with housing and employment actors in the public and the private sector (social and private rental agencies, employment agencies, local government offices, etc.) in the 19 target regions. It also pursues a lobbying activity in order to promote mobility.
The project is co-financed by the European Refugee Fund, the Ile-de-France Regional Council and the Val de Marne Social Services Department.
Location:
Paris, France
Policy/practice area:
Keywords:
Employment, Empowerment, Housing, Refugees and asylum seekers
Integration Practitioner:
Name of Organization:
France terre d’asile
Website:
http://www.france-terre-asile.org
Contact Information:
2 rue Jules Cloquet
75018 Paris – FRANCE
Phone: 00.33.1.53.06.64.20.
Email: directionintegration@france-terre-asile.org
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Singapore: UN Special Report on racism & xenophobia
Mr. Githu Muigai, a Kenyan national, commenced his mandate as Special Rapporteur on 1 August 2008 after being appointed by the Human Rights Council. He is a lawyer specialized in international human rights law. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on racism was established in 1993 by the Commission on Human Rights to examine incidents of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as governmental measures to overcome them. “While there may be no institutionalised racial discrimination in Singapore, several policies have further marginalized certain ethnic groups” emphasized the UN expert, “this is a situation that must be acknowledged and acted upon in order to safeguard the stability, sustainability and prosperity of Singapore”.
Read the rapporteur’s statement
Turkey lobbies for rights of migrants in Europe
Turkey is pressing the Council of Europe to adopt strong resolutions in the hopes that member states, especially those that are part of the European Union, will extend better protections to minorities, including Turkish expats and migrants living in Western Europe.
5 Myths about immigration
Immigration continues to be one of America’s most polemic topics. With the adoption of the new law in Arizona, the state has entered a new period of bitterness and harshness. But as in the past, much of the debate is founded on mythology.
IOM report highlights labor violation laws in Italy
The IOM report prepared as part of the PRAESIDIUM project funded by the Italian Ministry of Interior explains how the exploitation of both irregular and regular migrants is organized. The report recommends that the relevant authorities investigate migrants’ inhumane working conditions. The IOM legal counseling aims at providing a residence permit and social protection to migrants who testify against corrupt employers.
Read more about the IOM report
Migrants Right to Health in South Africa
A two-day national consultation on “Realizing Migrants’ Right to Health in South Africa.” was held in Pretoria on April 22. While the right to access healthcare is guaranteed by the South African constitution, migrants still continue to face challenges in accessing care. The conference is focused on bridging health policy and service delivery coordination and implementation to migrants in South Africa.
Learn more about the conference
Doing Business in a Multicultural World: Challenges and Opportunities
In partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Office, the UN Alliance of Civilizations engages the business community in establishing dialogue and improving understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions.
Jointly developed by the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the UN Global Compact Office, the publication “Doing Business in a Multicultural World: Challenges and Opportunities” aims at raising the visibility of best practices in the corporate sector toward supporting cross-cultural relations. It explores the cross-cultural challenges companies are facing, highlights good practices and lessons learned and illustrates why and how business can play a vital role in fostering intercultural understanding, and make the best of diversity brought in by migration.
Read the full report here
The Local Dimension of Migration Policymaking
This study offers a fresh perspective on immigrant integration policy in European and North American cities. Seeing where and how immigrants and their receiving societies interact on a daily basis, the authors Tiziana Caponio and Maren Borkert shows how societal inclusion is administered and produced at a local level. Comparing Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada, the cases display great variety in their theoretical and methodological approaches. In all the countries considered, we see that the local level has an undeniable relevance despite differences in state structures.
More information about this book
Handbook on how to implement a one-stop-shop for immigrant integration – The Portuguese experience
This Handbook is a source of inspiration for various actors in the European Union in implementing integration policies in the field of service provision. The Portuguese experience, within this innovative One-Stop-Shop strategy, managed to achieve good cooperation between different public services, located in the same building, together with the creation of new services to meet the concrete needs of immigrants. The One-Stop-Shop service is mainstreaming the provision of immigration services, facilitating the integration process. Portugal also proved to be innovative in involving cultural mediators from the different immigrant communities in public administration service provision. The Portuguese experience proves that mediators play an important role on promoting immigrant reception and integration, reducing access barriers and distrust in Government services.
Portugal – Evaluation of Immigrant Support Services
IOM has evaluated the National Immigrant Support Services in Portugal (ACIDI). See here for more information on the evaluation, and download the full report here
MITI – A case study on integration in Portugal
The general objectives of the European research project Migrants’ Integration Territorial Index (MITI) were the development and implementation of a methodology capable of measuring the level of integration of migrants, both at the national and regional levels.
Through the identification and comparison of different models the project aimed at a better comprehension of the concept of integration. Using a common framework of statistical indicators organised into thematic areas, for each of these areas every partner explored the possibility of developing an index. Namely, a ‘Polarisation Index’, a ‘Social Stability Index’ and, finally, a ‘Labour Integration Index’.
The MITI project involved a comparative study of the different levels of socio-economic integration of immigrants from Third countries across different geographical areas (regions, and major metropolitan areas) in each partner country.
The aim was to provide policy makers with a research-based tool to inform the decision making and governance of the complex phenomenon of integration, providing also a transnational base of comparison.
Migrant Integration Compendium, 2010 – IOM
The IOM Compendium of Migrant Integration, Policies and Practices, included 19 country profiles: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, Malaysia, Singapore, Republic of South Africa, Sweden, United States of America. The country profiles are all structured in a similar way to make comparing different countries policies and practices easier for readers:
• Introduction
• Legislation on integration
• Legislation on other areas of immigration affairs
• Target groups of the integration measures
• The responsibilities of governmental branches
• Integration measures – national, local and individual levels
• The rights of migrants in various fields
• Funds for implementing integration policies
• Service providers
• Sources of informationIOM International Dialogue on Migration: Partnerships for Success
The specific objectives of the 2008 Intersessional Workshop on Migrants and the Host Society: Partnerships for Success, were:
• To discuss what is meant by integration in today’s mobile world
• To examine the multiple dimensions of integration, including legal, economic, social, cultural, and religious aspects
• To foster a clear perception of the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders, in particular of the private sector and civil society, in optimally managing the integration of migrants
• To identify strategies for managing integration policies designed to better integrate migrants while ensuring that social cohesion is maintained in the host communities
• To highlight the importance of partnerships between all stakeholders to enhance the success of integration effortsIntegration of Migrants is Key to Cross-Cultural Relations
Inter-Ethnic City Roundtable: Management and Policies for a Better Integration of Migrants
The integration of migrants, specifically in cities, is critical for the improvement of cooperative relations among peoples from different cultures and religions. Urban planning can play a key function in facilitating the inclusion of migrants. Held in September 2009 in the UN in New York, this event examined good practices and processes for better integration of diverse communities. Gathering results of research and experiences in the integration of migrants at the level of cities, as experienced by local administrators, policymakers and other stakeholders, the event showcased practical policies and facilitated networking of representatives of municipalities and other relevant institutions while providing visibility to the issue.
Download the summary report of the event
Full verbatim report of the roundtable
View the webcast of the event (scroll to “28 September 2009″)
Italian migration in Bahia, Brazil
This research project on the Italian migration in Bahia examined the migration patterns over the last 70 years. It focused on three different periods (1950-1970, 1970-2000 and 2000-2010) that follow completely different motivations, caracteristics and even different ways of transportation. The research also focused also on Italian indigents in Bahia, a phenomenon that is not well-known but has been very painful for the migrants, as it added to the challenges of adaptation to different climatic, social and cultural realities.
Many migrants faced important challenges: some had difficulties to cope with the different reality of the “new world” and never really adapted themselves to the new reality in Brazil. Italian migrants faced the same kind of difficulties that are today experienced by migrants from third world countries. They felt forgotten by their home country, Italy, and were often badly considered by other Italians as they did not have the financial means to survive in ther own countries and emigration was the only option.
Today, we see the results of the integration of Italian migrants in Brazil, where many have achieved great sucess in politics, business and tourism. For instance, an Italian, Lo Manto, became governor of the state of Bahia, many of the hotels and restaurants on the Bahia coast belong to Italians. In the interior of the state, as in Jabaquara and Itirucu, the agriculture of the land was transformed by the Italians influence, who brought tomatoes, lettuce and many more Mediterranean products to Bahia. An important Italian influence can also be seen in the cultural field, with the main sculptures in Salvador made by the famous Italian sculptor De Chirico, and even the post office building in Bahia designed by an Italian architect.
Author of the research:
Massimo Buonomo, Organization “Amigos do Protocolo de Kyoto”
Email: masbuo@yahoo.com
Phone: 0055 71 9269 8225Intermarriage in Germany: a key indicator of integration
From the Migration Information Source (Migration Policy Institute)
The rate of intermarriage has been increasing recently in Germany. A article by Olga Nottmeyer examines how the cultural differences are now less seen as barriers to marriage, and how factors such as generation, demographics, education, residential patterns, and the size of immigrant groups affect intermarriage.
Read the Migration Information Source’s article here
Migrants and forced marriage
The City of Zurich has published a study on the phenomenon of forced marriages. The authors of the study, Janine Dahinden and Yvonne Riaño, from the University of Neuchatel, explain the recent increase by differences and conflicts between first and second generations of migrants. The study recommends mediation rather than lawsuits.
More information on the research project here
The protection of migrant workers and its impacts on origin and destination countries
The ILO study, “International Labour Migration: A rights-based approach” is an analysis on international labor migration, its impacts on origin and destination countries, and the conditions of work experienced by migrant workers.
Poll on Swiss public perceptions about Integration
The Swiss institute Vimentis aims to provide information on Swiss public perceptions to policy makers and to trigger public debate on political reforms. The results of its 2009 poll have recently been made public, with a special section on migration and integration policies.
Among the main findings figure the following:
- 47% consider that integration measures are the best solution to reduce tensions between Swiss people and immigrants, while 39% consider that reducing immigration would be most effective and 11% would encourage acceptation by Swiss people.
- 55% support the suggestion that the State should take “advertising measures” to reduce Switzerland’s attractiveness in certain countries of provenance.
- 57% think that the State and the Cantons should promote integration of people of diverse cultural backgrounds in the work environment.
- 60% consider that immigrant having made special efforts to integrate should be allowed to ask for permanent residence earlier – and 84% agree with a test on national language and civic knowledge before obtaining citizenship .
- 94% support the suggestion that all foreigners wishing to reside in Switzerland longer than 2 years should learn the language of their region of residence.
- 59% recommend that cultural differences be addressed in school – the same proportion consider that immigrant children should follow language classes before starting primary school.
- 57% are against the right to vote and to elect representatives at the local level for foreigners residing in the country for more than 8 years.
Read the full results here (in German, French and Italian)
New York City Immigrant Heritage Week (April 2010)
The City of New York honors its vibrant immigrant cultures, heritages and communities. This year’s Immigrant Heritage Week is celebrated from April 15 to April 21. Throughout the week, a rich collection of family-friendly events, film screenings, art exhibits and walking tours will promote and reflect the diversity of the immigrant communities of New York.
Read the full program on the website of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Migrant women in the eye of the public and political opinion
The Swiss Federal Commission on Migration has published a report on Women and Migration in Switzerland. Conducted by the Interdisciplinary Center for Gender Studies of the University of Bern, the study analyses public and political perceptions of migrant women.
Read the report (French version)
Read the report (German version)
Bilingual education vs. restrictive language policies: USA experiences
“Forbidden Language: English Learners and Restrictive Language Policies”, research volume by Patricia Gandara and Megan Hopkins (January 2010).
The authors examine the respective advantages and challenges of bi-lingual education and restrictive language policies, as implemented in three USA states (California, Arizona, and Massachusetts – Sacramento, Phoenix and Boston). The presentation includes suggestions on how to improve policies related to learning of language for immigrants.
More information on the publication
Migration and diversity challenges in Europe
The EMILIE report focuses on Muslim migrants and the related policy challenges and measures adopted to address them. In Europe, multiculturalism challenges relate to the successful integration and participation of Muslim citizens and residents into local societies.
The integration of Muslim migrants in Europe
“Muslims in 21st Century Europe” explores the interaction between native majorities and Muslim minorities in different European countries. It highlights different experiences of integration of immigrant and native Muslims. Starting with a critical overview of the establishment of Islam in Europe, it develops a discussion on the nature of Islamophobia.
‘Muslims in 21st Century Europe, Structural and Cultural Perspectives’: order the book online, and contact the author Anna Triandafyllidou here.
A comparison of migrant integration between the United States and Europe
The United States and Europe do not share the same set of political attitudes and policies on the integration of immigrant into their respective societies. This paper demonstrates different views and actions on integration and provide information from both sides of the Atlantic.
Learn more about the paper
Managing diversity in Western democracies
Integration is understood to be a two-way process in which both migrants and host society are working together to promote the economic and social inclusion of newcomers.
Learn more about Bellagio dialogue on migration German Marshall Fund of the United States, 2007
International Migration Law Training Course
Management of migration is recognized to be beneficial to both host and origin societies and migrants. States of destination and origin have the responsibility to protect migrants and national rights, and to take into consideration the interests of both, within the laws set by international principles, standards and norms.
A handbook on refugee and migration terms and concepts
This UNESCO handbook provide a definition of selected terms and concepts on refugees and migration. It is designed to be accessible to a general public and media as well. This glossary contributes to greater precision and accuracy in language.
Overcoming barriers of human mobility and development
Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development explores how better policies towards mobility can enhance human development. It first explains human migration (who moves where, when and why) and analyzes the impacts of this movement on migrants and their families.
Read more about the Human Development Report 2009
Investing in cultural Diversity and intercultural dialogue
It is tempting to see cultural factors as the cause of conflicts, whereas they are only the pretext for conflict; the ultimate cause of conflict lies in political or socio-economic circumstances. In this purpose, this UNESCO report shows the urgent need to invest in cultural diversity and dialogue.
Check the UNESCO World Report, 2009
Urbanization and migration: how to achieve inclusive cities
The UNESCO/ UN-Habitat research project “Urban Policies and Practices toward Social and Spatial Inclusion of Migrants” is reporting the challenges and opportunities of the social inclusion and spatial integration of migrants and their families in urban setting.
Putting an end to a fake debate: the ethnic statistics
Compared to other countries, information on integration of migrants in France are only available sporadically and for a number of limited subjects. The debate on integration of migrants in France is in fact based on anecdotes.
Check the article En Temps Réel – Cahier N°40 « Pour en finir avec un faux débat : les statistiques ethniques”, Rahsaan Maxwell, September 2009
The migrant inclusion/exclusion from the urban setting
“Managing international migration in our cities” is a comparative research on how migrants are included or excluded from the urban setting of Italy, Turkey and Spain . Participants share their experience and good practices for a better urban governance of international migration.
Read more about this research.
Freedom from discrimination
Glossary Vic Intercultural Commission report, Building on our strength focuses on race-based discrimination, and provide future practice, programs and policies to address race-based discrimination and promote diversity.
The line between border security and internal security on both sides of the Atlantic
These articles provide a number of different approaches to understanding immigration, assimilation, integration, and (inter)national security. They offers an introduction to the most current research on the intersection of immigration policy and security on both sides of the Atlantic. This matter is clearly a major issue for both Europe and North America, and these articles provide a number of different approaches to understanding immigration, assimilation, integration, and (inter)national security.
Read more about these articles
Cities accommodating diversity – Dive project
Cities accommodating diversity – Dive project
Led by Eurocities, the European city network, DIVE explores how cities like Amsterdam, Rome, Leeds, Berlin and London effectively promotes diversity in the areas of employment, policy making, service provision and procurement.
Learn more about the DIVE project
Journalists analyze migrants’ media coverage
This report relates analysis on a three day workshop about the journalistic interpretation of migrants’ issues. Journalists makes criticism after analyzing the media treatment of migration subjects. This report also raises awareness regarding the obstacles that can obstruct journalist professional work, and the objective of the migratory purposes.
Read the 2008 report
Awareness raising the need for gender-sensitive labor migration policies
In this OSCE article from 2008, the special needs of female migrant workers is highlighted as well as the risk of discrimination and exploitation they faced because of the lack of policy protection and the exclusion from labor legislation. This article identifies the need for further dialogue and exchange of experience and good practices so that national labor and migration laws and regulations could better respond to the feminization of labor migration.
Updated by Estelle
The effect of the economic crisis on attitudes toward immigration
The Transatlantic Trends: Immigration addresses immigration and integration issues including the effect of the economic crisis on attitudes toward immigration, immigrants’ labor market impacts and effects on wages, and preferences for temporary versus permanent labor migration programs.
Read the surveyUnited Kingdom: Introducing migrants to the role of Police
Policesol Training Course Material
In partnership with South Wales Police, the Cardiff City Council English for Speakers of Other Languages program developed a course introducing asylum seekers and refugees to the role of the Police in the United Kingdom. The training program provides information to migrants on their rights and responsibilities, on areas causing concern and aims at reducing fears improving integration and community cohesion.
Date: 2005
Read the course material hereThe political, social, and economic participation of Muslims in 11 European cities
Muslims in Europe is a comparative analysis of research undertaken by the At Home in Europe Project, a recent initiative of the Open Society Institute. The project promotes sustainable social inclusion of minority and shares the experiences of Muslim communities in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Leicester, London, Marseille, Paris, Rotterdam and Stockholm.
Read the full 2009 report here
UNAoC in a Cities of Migration Webinar: Youth Participation and Migrant Voice
How do migrant youth deal with living inside and between two cultures?
On December 1, 2009, Cities of Migration held an open webinar on projects from Oldham, Paris, London and Lisbon that looked at the active participation of young people in community development and their views on identity and belonging.
Watch the archived webinar to learn from Raja Miah about how the Peacemaker organization works with young people from different ethnicities to help formerly deeply segregated communities move towards a new “vision of Britishness.” Marion Vargaftig, of Manifesta (London), described the Belonging project, a transnational initiative that uses intercultural dialogue and video to explore identity and belonging in London/Newham, Lisbon suburb/Casal da Boba and Paris/20th arrondissement. Florence Laufer, UNAoC, framed the discussion with opening remarks on the youth project PLURAL+ and Helen Walsh from Diaspora Dialogues (Toronto) led the discussion.Click here to see other webinars.
How to foster trust between Muslim and non-Muslim communities
Based on the results of this study, the ‘At Home in Europe’ project has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations which provide the first steps to support Muslim and non-Muslim communities strengthen their trust in each other and increase their ability to work together to achieve common goals.
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