John Haskins - RIA -Ireland REALISING INTEGRATION ENAR policy seminar on migration, integration, social inclusion and anti-discrimination THE IRISH NATIONAL ACTION PLAN AGAINST RACISM: AN INTEGRATION STRATEGY? John Haskins : Head of Integration Policy Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, Ireland Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre Brussels – 1 and 2 March 2007 Seminar organised in cooperation with the European Women’s Lobby, CCME (Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe), ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles), December 18, EAPN (European Anti Poverty Network), SOLIDAR, PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants), MPG (Migration Policy Group), Caritas Europa and in media cooperation with Euractiv.

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland Indemnity statement We are the new kids on the block in this area - so although we may learn from others’ mistakes, its early days yet, to say the least…….. We are the new kids on the block in this area - so although we may learn from others’ mistakes, its early days yet, to say the least……..

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland What works? (Who knows- but we’ve a good idea of what does not work!) Integration only “works” and is always embedded in a specific context Integration only “works” and is always embedded in a specific context We need to get the “model” right – everyone has a different cause- and-effect theory We need to get the “model” right – everyone has a different cause- and-effect theory We (the State) believe that we are in the overall pursuit of social cohesion facilitated by a range of interlocking concepts, approaches and policies which include We (the State) believe that we are in the overall pursuit of social cohesion facilitated by a range of interlocking concepts, approaches and policies which include social inclusion, social inclusion, integration, integration, anti racism, anti racism, Active citizenship, Active citizenship, dialogue mechanisms dialogue mechanisms Relationships are complex –policy “drivers” are worth identifying for each concept Relationships are complex –policy “drivers” are worth identifying for each concept

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland Choosing the emphasis Social inclusion Social inclusion Totality of client base Totality of client base Policy mainstreaming Policy mainstreaming Generalised rights Generalised rights Integration Integration Mainstream oriented Mainstream oriented Strategy specific Strategy specific 2 way 2 way Anti racism Anti racism Education Education Context sensitive Context sensitive Active citizenship Active citizenship Rights / responsibilities Commitment to values Dialogue mechanisms Dialogue mechanisms Sector inclusive Pragmatic V abstract Values negotiation

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland What works….is working…) National action plan against racism National action plan against racism National action plan against racism –Strong integration links –Detailed consultation –High political commitment –Reasonable funding –A strong chair and an active steering group Problems Problems –dangers of too strong an emphasis on racism –Weakness of local implementation structures

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland What works.. Is working… integration activities Stategic studies of key leverage projects Stategic studies of key leverage projects Language Language Information provision Information provision Interpretation and translation Interpretation and translation Funding for new communities Funding for new communities Strategic funding Strategic funding Local partnerships and regional NGO’s Local partnerships and regional NGO’s Mainstream focus Mainstream focus Formal dialogue (2007) Formal dialogue (2007) All stakeholders general policy Pragmatic – topic driven Regroup post election Structured Interfaith dialogue (PM driven) Task force on active citizenship (PM driven) Mainstreaming policy Mainstreaming policy High level PM - led group proposed for establishment to coordinate centrally

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland What works.. Is working…. Chasing synergy Social partnership agreements Social partnership agreements National Development Plans National Development Plans Action plan on social inclusion Action plan on social inclusion Research recommendations from social and economic group (NESC) Research recommendations from social and economic group (NESC) Anti racist links to integration Anti racist links to integration Special fora for active citizenship and inter-faith dialogue Special fora for active citizenship and inter-faith dialogue

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland 4 Key challenges Responsibilities as well as rights – (there are alternatives to specific rights-based approaches) Responsibilities as well as rights – (there are alternatives to specific rights-based approaches) Negotiating the regulatory environment – ( once established, “integrationists” take it as a “given”) Negotiating the regulatory environment – ( once established, “integrationists” take it as a “given”) Getting the balance of targeting and mainstreaming Getting the balance of targeting and mainstreaming Negotiating values (getting good quality common spaces for discussion – are values simply by products and not ends?) Negotiating values (getting good quality common spaces for discussion – are values simply by products and not ends?)

John Haskins - RIA -Ireland And finally - plus ca change……. Dublin was such a forbidden city for the native Irish that the British - (with due respect to our UK colleagues at the conference) – decided that “No Irish man, nor men with beards above the mouth, to be lodged within the walls of the city”. To guarantee that segregation by decree, they proclaimed that “no Englishman shall have hair on his upper lip” and instructed the city watchers “to keep an eye on any Irish man who came to the city and bring him to the mayor if he had an immigrant look”.