Immigrant Families, Well-Being and Social Justice: the Finnish Integration Act as example Kristina Stenman, Migration Director Integration Group, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department/Integration of Immigrants

Youth with foreign language background,

Rate of unemployment of foreign nationals (orange line) vs. whole population (blue line) 3

Act on the Integration of Immigrants 2010

Why a new Integration Act? Immigration increasing and diversifying since appr Old legislation: primarily geared at individuals of working age, and towards access to labour market Gaps: Access to information and guidance Integration measures for families in a systematic manner Measures to address situation of children and young immigrants in vulnerable situation in a holistic, systematic way Access to language training 5

The purpose of the Integration Act To provide foreign nationals access to full participation in all sectors of Finnish society, while maintaining the possibility to keep their own language and culture access to education access to basic services democratic rights, participation to promote integration as a two-way process between the immigrant and Finnish society a positive dialogue between all groups in society equality and non-discrimination 6

Act on Integration of Immigrants, (1386/2010) Scope: all foreign nationals residing in Finland (also eg. EU nationals, labour related immigrants, spouses of Finnish nationals) Emphasis on coherent, but needs-based services in the early stages of integration: Basic information about Finnish society (section 7) Councelling responsibility of all authorities (section 8) Initial assessment (sections 9-10) Integration plan (11-18) Integration training (20-24) Integration of families, parents taking care of children at home, young immigrants in focus in the new Act 7

The process of integration according to the Act on Integration Basic information on Finnish society Guidance and councelling Initial assessment Integration plan Integration training 8

An individual integration plan as a basis for planning of services 9 The integration plan is a detailed agreement between a foreigner and the employment office or the municipality about which integration services will be provided The integration plan can be made for maximum 1 year first, and can then be renewed, usually for up to a total of 3 years, but can in some cases be up to 5 years (eg for women, or parents of children with special needds) If the foreigner is in need of social benefits, the integration plan is the basis for this The goal of the new law is that also plans for whole families and for young persons can be made, if eg. there is a special need of support in the family – assessment in the municipality

Example: the network of muncipal services for children CHILD PROTECTION DAYCARE- SCHOOL- SECONDARY EDUCATION SPORTS AND CULTURE YOUTH SERVICES HEALTH CARE

Local integration program 11 Local integration program Integration Act: a municipality who wishes to get special state funding for the reception of refugees should have local integration programme Should be approved by the municipal council and renewed in every 4-year period, and tied to strategic and budget planning In the programme: the responsibilities clarified of different municipal actors (schools, health care, social services) coordination between and tasks of local actors, eg. Municipality, police, non-governmental organisations plan for measures to promote good ethnic relations, etc.

Challenges for inclusion of immigrant families language training and education, and labour market access, including for immigrant women access to education for young immigrants (”late arrivals”) Requires coordination and clear responsibilites, but also resources Skills in multicultural client work in the services of municipal and state authorities 12