The safety discourse’s effects on good relations and migrants Mia Luhtasaari 1.12.2017

Internal Security Strategy (10/2017) Road map for ensuring that Finland will be the safest country in the world for living, working and entrepreneurship (Government Programme of 29 May 2015). Loppudiat on työpajaosuuteen.

Internal Security Strategy (10/2017) Internal security refers to those aspects of society that ensure everyone can enjoy the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the rule of law without fear or insecurity caused by crime, disorder, accidents or national or international events.

Safety discourse affects the targets of ”othering” Negative stereotypes Racisim Hate speech & crimes Feelings of insecurity and not belonging Participation in society Trust in public authorities Willingness to interact with people outside own reference groups

Identity politics Hannah Arendt ”In the history of political philosophy there are only two significant questions: Who are we and who am I?”

Contact theory & Social identity theory Ingroup vs. outgroup/ Us vs. Them Allport’s “The Nature of Prejudice” (1954): ”greater levels of interaction with a diverse range of people are likely to lead to greater understanding of them and, in turn, to a greater degree of physical and emotional security for groups with differing protected characteristics” (Wigfield & Turner, 2010, p. ix).

Research on underlying reasons behind discrimination Power and hierarchies Group identities Information and stereotypes Normal and abnormal

Safety discourse in relation to non-discrimination Non-discrimination: related to human dignity and a society based on equality in terms of social justice. In a just society each person is defined by their knowhow and experience, not ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion etc. Discrimination a phenomenon linked to social relations, which prevents the realization of equality for individuals and groups.

GOOD RELATIONS Otsikko LOCAL LEVEL INDIVIDUALS Sense of security Isolation Experiences of discrimination Availability of support Identity & acceptance Ability to interact Awareness of rights ATTITUDES SAFETY INTERACTION PARTICIPATION Experiences of diversity LOCAL LEVEL Personal experience of influence Respect Social & health services Library Habits & motivation to participate Prejudice School Leisure services Trust Ways of participation Valuing diversity Trust in democracy & political institutions GOOD Otsikko RELATIONS INDIVIDUALS Non-profit organisations Religious communities Police Decision makers Private sector Reception centre Media

The good relations toolkit Framework for measurement and analysis : Indicators of good relations to analyse population relations & reasons for marginalization; recognize and prevent problems between population groups. Holistic view of society: migrants are not an isolated group – “two –way integration” also affects the host society: reciprocal relationships, interaction, shared norms & values, inclusion, trust Work with national and local, public and private stake holders to recognize the significance of good relations to reinforce social cohesion.

Thank you! Mia Luhtasaari Project coordinator mia.luhtasaari@om.fi +358 29 5150 130