QUIN Project Satisfaction of Quality Information Needs of policy makers and citizens on EU and Interculturality

1. Active citizens for Europe QUIN Project Satisfaction of Quality Information Needs of policy makers and citizens on EU and Interculturality

2. Project Partners Afies (Spain) Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit (Malta) Community Action Dacorum (UK) NGO Support Centre (Cyprus) CRASIC (France) Citta di Sassuolo (Italy)

4. Active Citizens for Europe • At the time of project being live following issues were presented • International migration plays an increasing role in most Member States. Immigration brings both economic and social opportunites and challenges to the countries receiving immigrants • Immigration is now at the forefront of Europe and national policy agendas • But concerns over illegal immigration and people smuggling were growing. Some countries have toughened their asylum laws, and pressures were growing for greater co-operation between governments

5. The first step of the project activities aimed to organise a serious of Regional Meetings in each partner locality, in which citizens and entities were given their opions about any European Union matters: • Immigrants integration, gender balance, linguistic diversity, cultural and generational background, relationships and awareness about European Institutions • Regional Meeting Methodology • Composed by six written questions shared and discussed at the first partner meeting in Malta • The questionnaire posed few clear cut and open questions where indivuals could open a debate

6. Our Regional Meetings • Seven workshops were held to learn of participants opinions set by the project • Workshops were with Adeyfield School and Pakistani men group in Hemel Hempstead, two polish community groups, two classes of interpreters students and one Town Twinning Committee in Essex. Total of 84 attendees • One practical difficulty was meetings were held at the same time of European Elections

7. 1: The media uses the terms Europe and European Union? What is your understanding of these? Political, social and economic union located in Europe, composed by its Member States and regulated by a specific system of laws aiming at ensuring equal rights to all citizens and social integration (Italy) EU is an organisation that deals with the trade and agriculture regulation, import and export as well (France)

8. 2: Each Citizen of the EU has fundamental rights. Are you aware what these cover? Sould all living in your country be given equal rights and duties, the right to vote? • There was more understanding of the Human Rights Act, the rights were understood by the participants (UK) • Migrants also have rights found in the convention on the rights of migrants that not many people know of. All migrants are allowed to work, to get education, to healthcare and they contribute to the economy postively (MALTA)

9. 3: Who would you consider to be an immigrant? • Any person who have satisfied all of the requirements of the host country to reside in that country. The definition also included a third country national that has been given the right to residence in the host country (CYPRUS) • It is considered an immigrant the person coming from other country in order to stay and find a better life (SPAIN)

10. 4: VIEWS ON WORKER MOBILITY, BOOST OR HINDRANCE? • In Malta it is seen as a apportunity rather a problem. They thought immigration was an opportunity for culture and can be seen as an input to the Maltese society • In UK it was recognised that the arrival of new migrants from EU has been positive for the economy. A number of people quoted examples of employers recognising work ethic of migrant worker. It was also high lighted that Media can be very poisonous and a hindrance to integration

11. 5: Do you encounter or see others encounter barriers in accessing and enjoying services such as health and education because of the immigrants? What are they and how could they be overcome? Summing up all the different opinions, the main idea is that it is possible for immigrants to encounter barriers in accessing and enjoying service such as health and education. Linguist barriers and access to information were common barriers amongst all partners • Enhancement of the development of intercultural dialogue, educational exchange programs, and programs which strengthen cooperation (Cyprus) • It is important to educate citizens in order to deal with living in an intercultural society (MALTA)

12. 6: What steps could be taken to improve how individuals and communities get on with each others? • Encourage the representation of migrants in the democratic local instititions, municipalites, trade union, consumers associations and council of pupils parent (France) • Awareness campaign, local parties, food exchanges, typical dancing and music exchange (Spain)

13. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED • Increase awareness of the European Union and of the institutions that make up the Union • Policy makers to know the reality and issues of citizens and adopt appropriate policies • Involve directly and responsibility the media in the activities and in project that aims to promote the diversity and integration culture • Equal rights and opportunites for EU citizens and immigrants. To have access to education and work if they observe the laws, rules and values of the host country and commit to learning the language

14. The European Pact on Immigration and Asylum set up by the Council of the European Union on the October of 2008 underlined that the immigrants must enjoy the same rights of the European citizens, but also of same the obligation • Disseminate among the media (television channels, radio, newspapers) the contents and the programme inherent to promoting the immigrants rights and creating useful tools to give a correct information to the audience and to the citizens • Teach the national language with fast learning and accessible courses. It helps people to integrate in the society and feel part of it • Intercultural Festival: during this, emphasis is put on the culture and traditions of the participants (singing, dancing,cooking etc)

16. http://www.afies.com/quinproject/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6:afies&catid=3:socios&Itemid=5&lang=es&el_mcal_month=10&el_mcal_year=2010  English Version • http://www.afies.com/quinproject/  Spanish version • For further information please contact: mark@communityactiondacorum.org.uk musarat1@communityactiondacoru.org.uk