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Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

ATCR – Engaging the Media Plenary Chris Friesen July 3, 2013. Surrey Welcoming Communities Project. July 3, 2013. Surrey Welcoming Communities Project. SWCP Context. City of Surrey, BC (pop 502,000 - 2013)

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Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

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  1. ATCR – Engaging the Media Plenary Chris Friesen July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  2. SWCP Context City of Surrey, BC (pop 502,000 - 2013) • One of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada – over 1,000 new residents arrive each month • 2010-2012 – over 550 resettled refugees • 1 out of every 3 resettled refugees destined to BC settles in Surrey every year July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  3. Surrey - Places of Birth July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  4. SWCP Goals The Surrey Welcoming Communities Project – a one year initiative designed to increase the capacity of the Community to support the Integration of New Immigrants and refugees by: • improving access to Community services; • supporting the development of intercultural relationships and mutual trust; • supporting welcoming and inclusive workplaces; • creating welcoming and inclusive spaces in the Community “Integration is a two-way process, which involves commitment on the part of Immigrants and Refugees to adapt to life in Canada and on the part of Canadians to welcome and adapt to new people and cultures.” June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  5. SWCC Membership -25 bodies • City of Surrey (lead agency) • Immigrant and Refugee Serving Agencies • Mainstream Social Service Agencies • Regional Health Authority • Post Secondary Institutions • The Surrey Board of Trade • SurreyCares(Surrey Foundation) • Surrey Museum • Surrey Libraries – 9 Branches • Surrey Parks, Recreation & Culture • Surrey RCMP • Surrey School District • “Broad base and inclusive membership representing all areas of civic society” June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  6. SWCC Membership June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  7. SWCC Initiatives Eight (8) main components – one year multi-pronged, systemic approach • Surrey Youth Conference • Youth Led Welcoming Communities Social Media Project • Welcoming Spaces and Places Reviews • Employer and Business Presentations and Forums June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  8. SWCC Initiatives … continued • Service Provider Welcoming Communities Events • Welcoming Communities Dialogues Inspired by Cooking and Food • Public Exhibitions of Refugee Cultures • Refugee Myth Busting Campaign – Public Education Initiative July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  9. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign • Engaging local media in stories of refugees – 4 times in 12 months – launched June 20 to 84,000 households • Launch of Global Voices newsletter • Promotion of key messages – refugees as resilient, having assets, resettlement as a humanitarian program, settlement challenges, social and labour market integration successes July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  10. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign ...Continued • Surrey Leader Article – June 20, 2013 July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  11. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign • Launch of Global Voices newsletter – quarterly basis July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  12. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign Public Education System • Developing 20 refugee youth led workshops for administrators, teachers, counsellors and other support staff Mapping out resettled refugee settlement patterns for planning and resource allocation purposes July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  13. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign • Where do resettled refugees live in Surrey? • Map: City of Surrey – Government Assisted Refugees - 2010-2012 July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  14. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign Surrey Public Library – 9 branches • Public education campaign in all branches around World Refugee Day • Engage local residents to read more about refugees through both fiction and non fiction – suggested reading list July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  15. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  16. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign Conclusion • Sustained multi-pronged approach involving key community stakeholders and institutions • Leadership from Mayor and Council key • Consistent messages and use of images • Engage media early on with key communication messages – take the time to provide the larger, international context • Engage refugees through informed consent July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

  17. SWCC Resources • www.getintheknow.ca • www.wicsurrey.org/ July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

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