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Introductory Courses and Integration for Migrants A European Perspective. Integrating Cities - MIXITIES. Make the Integrating Cities Charter real for local authorities and NGOs 27 Cities have signed the Charter – including London Developed and tested 3 toolkits :
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Introductory Courses and Integration for MigrantsA European Perspective
Integrating Cities - MIXITIES • Make the Integrating Cities Charter real for local authorities and NGOs • 27 Cities have signed the Charter – including London • Developed and tested 3 toolkits : Introductory and Language courses Anti-discrimination Promoting Cultural Diversity
New European Agenda on Integration 2011 Member states should ensure • the provision of language courses reflecting migrants’ varying needs at different stages of their integration process • the organisation of introductory programmes for newly arrived migrants, including language and civic orientation courses. These courses should address the specific needs of migrant women.. • Special attention to specific needs of vulnerable groups of migrants......
MIXITIES process • Benchmark developed through research and with Eurocities’ Integration Working Group • Peers trained, e.g. Athens, Helsinki, Ghent, Barcelona , Amsterdam, Genoa, Munich • In depth self-assessment by City of Stockholm • Week long peer review and exchange of practice • Written evidence, 30 interviews and focus groups • Feedback and recommendations • Revision and development of toolkits
MIXITIES Toolkit Integrating Cities Standard : The city welcomes migrants by promoting & supporting introductory & language courses that improve their access to city services and their integrationinto the community and workplace Contents: • How to use toolkit to review, develop, compare practice • Key Factors which make the difference • Guide Questions to identify if KFs are being met • Examples to illustrate how other cities address themes • Context factors that can affect a city’s ability to deliver
Key Factors • Public commitment & involvement • Explicit strategy which demonstrates priorities • Co-ordination, with adequate and sufficient provision • Inclusive and evidence-based needs assessment • Promotion to newcomers, facilitating early access • Meet individual needs, commitments and learning aims • Cover local knowledge, daily life and migrants’ rights • Help with progression into work and further learning • Monitoring and evaluation
Good practicein Stockholm • Bilingual Civic Orientation Courses • Individual integration Plans • Individual counselling & guidance, 1-1 special needs • Accessible and free provision, no waiting lists • Employment related courses e.g. lorry drivers • Bilingual job coaches, e.g. using mobile phones • Incentives to complete courses, valued by learners • Student-centred adult learning approaches • Prior learning validated and progression supported
Common challenges • Migrants’ voices in planning, delivery and review • Outreach for settled longer-term residents, especially women and older people • Over-emphasis on language learning for work • Engaging the host community consistently • Involving other stakeholders , including other agencies and employers • Tailoring courses to individual needs as well as government priorities • Mainstreaming project innovation
Further information Factsheet in pack with links to websites, e.g. • Integrating Cities charter, toolkits and young peoples’ videos on integration & language learning • EWSI European Website on Integration • New European Modules on Introductory and Language Courses due in 2012 • For Stockholm report contact: anna.reisenberger@migrationwork.org