INTEGRATION
OF THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS - INTI
Partners:
Concept: The activities fall under 2 main inter-related categories- the Net Cafes and the Policy Recommendations
The
ÔMigrant Resource CentersÕ
Denmark, whose immigrant community has the highest rate of civic participation, could (instead of setting up its own computer centre) play the role of reviewing and commenting on the manner of operation of these centres in the other countries (through reports prepared by the other partners and/or through visits of the Danish partners in the other countries), prepare recommendations, transfer good practice and organise study visits to Denmark for the other partners to benefit from the experience of similar initiatives there.
For Cyprus, we intend to buy about 30 computers. We have calculated this number based on our knowledge that the educational courses (language, computer literacy, anti-discrimination) cannot function with more than 25 people. You may find that in your country it is better to adjust this number upwards or downwards.
The cost of connection to the server and use of internet lines should also be included.
- Learning the national language of the host country[7];
- Information and training on how to access basic public and private services, including health, education, housing, legal advise;
- Encouraging and facilitating civic participation of immigrants in the host country through the establishment of immigrant organisations and through human rights training;
- Anti-discrimination and anti-racism training based on the national anti-discrimination legislation with emphasis on how to complain (e.g. to the National Equality Body, the Ombudsman etc);
- The development of networks between the immigrant communities in other EU countries and with NGOs active in the field of immigrant support (through the transnational partners) Also, through the use of computers (and particularly e-mail and internet) can be encouraged and facilitated. Finally, the
- The use of and regular contributions to a user-friendly website common to all countries participating[8] focusing on integration issues, including direct communication and exchange between the immigrants groups in the participating countries, with special sections on campaigning and awareness raising issues and civic participation good practices.
With regard to the language and computer proficiency, it would be useful if a transnational certification standard would be set, and for certificates of proficiency to be
In addition, 2 focus groups should be held, one at the end of the first six months of operation and the second one at the end of 12 months of operation, participated by immigrants and NGOs, to discuss integration and civic participation issues. The analysed results of these meetings will be used for the purposes of the comparative study described below.
- Secure the commitment of a local authority, trade union, educational institution or other, who could become partners to this project, to offer premises on rent for 18 months (which is the project duration) and then for another period of, say, 1 or 2 years (or so) without rent or with low rent.
- Alternatively, after completion of the project, the centre could be moved to the premises of an NGO, trade union, college / university or other which could be offered free of charge or at a reasonable rate.
- Efforts must be made to select low-rent premises. Also, the running of these centres during the lifetime of the project must be geared at achieving a low-cost and high-effectiveness administration system.
In order to cover the cost of hiring an employee to be in charge of the centre after completion of the project, efforts could be made by the management committee to secure funds, or arrange for volunteers (immigrants and locals) to serve on rotation, or charge the users of the centre with a reasonable fee in order to meet its expenses. If the latter solution is envisaged, perhaps the co-operation of private enterprises could be sought.
The
Policy Recommendations
Building on existing research on immigration
models and integration strategies, as well as on the knowledge derived from the
two six-monthly focus groups, a comparative study could be undertaken,
co-ordinated by a team comprising of experienced researchers (list to be
compiled, and efforts are currently being made to secure the participation of
policy orientated researchers), in order to produce:
1. A comparative study of existing immigration models within EU, with emphasis on the socio-economic results of each model, identifying advantages and constraints.
2. Best practices of integration policies across Europe.
3. Policy recommendations at national and EU level.
At the same time, a panel of consultants could be set up, consisting of representatives of, say, NGOs, the Equality Body in your country, the Ombudsman, the Ministries of Education, Interior and Justice, academia and local authorities, to meet twice in the duration of the project, in order to give their comments on the drafting of the policy recommendations.
A system of dissemination of the results to various sectors (including local authorities, social partners, private enterprises, NGOs, migrants associations etc) must also be developed, e.g. through media exposure, seminars, round table discussions, e-publications, use of the website etc.
[1] MPDL was founded in 1981 as a pacifist social movement campaigning
for denuclearisation in Europe, and promotion of Human Rights. Since then MPDL
has expanded its work from the concept that peace is more than the absence of
war, but also means the peaceful resolution of global and local conflicts,
through humanitarian aid and development cooperation. Main activities:
Internationally, MPDL is active in over 30 countries, in Central and Latin
America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, the Maghreb, Asia and the Balkans.
MPDL has several activities: humanitarian intervention, assistance to victims
of natural catastrophes, development cooperation, rehabilitation and capacity
building. In Spain, the Social Action department of MPDL works towards
combating inequalities, racism and xenophobia by promoting tolerance and peace.
The inclusion of immigrants is central to an open and tolerant society. To this
end MPDL has several projects giving legal assistance to immigrants, schools
campaign, providing housing for young migrants, education for deprived
populations.
[2] JRS (Malta) forms part of an international NGO (JRS), working with
refugees and displaced people in over 50 countries. They are among the very few
local organizations that have been assisting and advocating for these
immigrants since the very beginning of their influx into Malta.
[3] ANTIGONE is a non governmental organisation based in Thessalonica with offices in Athens. Since 1995 it is active in issues concerning human rights, ecology, peace and non-violent conflict resolution in close cooperation with the ÒEcological MovementÓ of Thessalonica.
[4] Already running a
UNHCR program of providing legal advice to refugees and asylum seekers.
[5] A tertiary education
institute. They are already running an ÔEQUALÕ program on integration of refugees
into the labor market.
[6] Unless a facility of this nature or effect already exists in some countries, in which case the participating partnerÕs contribution could be the transfer of know- how and good practice.
[7] For most languages, there should be software developed especially for language training. In Cyprus there is
a CD developed under a Leonardo program for learning Greek as a foreign
language. Perhaps the other partners could investigate if something similar
exists for their national languages.
[8] Again the language
problem must be addressed.