churches’ commission for migrants in europe MIRACLE project European Workshop Brussels, 3-5 May 2010 Olivia Bertelli - CCME

MIRACLE project (Models of Integration through Religion, Activation, Cultural Learning and Exchange) What does it mean, how does it work and what does it want to achieve? What is the impact for the wider integration debate ? Main findings: Voices of migrants Integration process in a church context: 10 reccommendations Beyond MIRACLE

MIRACLE project Started in December 2008, co-funded by the INTI Fund 2007 Partners: Co-ordinated by CCME and implemented together with: Church of Sweden DEFAP – Service Protestant de Mission Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland Evangelical Churches in Germany Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy SKIN – Samen Kerk in Nederland

MIRACLE project Focuses on churches and parishes (i.e. existing structures of host societies): not only social assistance, but active involvement in structures and insitutions Main aim is to understand and promote migrants’ activation and participation by looking at the role of churches: Are churches promoting the integration, inclusion and participation of their foreign-born members? Active participation in decision-making process; conflict resolution Traditional and migrant-led churches’ relations in Europe (mainstream organisations and migrants organisations)

MIRACLE project Understanding integration – what works ? 1.Conceptual framework: Integration as a two-way process involving individuals and communities and requiring mutual efforts Bi-directional relation between integration and active participation

MIRACLE project Understanding integration – what works ? 2. Central issues: Structures: what is the bridge made of? → Analysis of churches’ structures and activities promoting /preventing participation Content & methods: what are the actors willing to bring into play in the integration process? And how far are willing to go? → Analysis of good practices already implemented

MIRACLE project Tools for understanding and promoting integration & participation Interviews of active migrants actively participating in traditional and migrant-led churches Workshops at national and European levels in the six partners’ countries:  for testing WinAct - MIRACLE  for training the trainers

WinAct – MIRACLE methodology WinAct (Winning Migrants as Active Members) had been used for researching migrants’ participation in trade unions and political parties The new methodology WinAct - MIRACLE is freely downloadable at Used for analyzing and promoting migrants’ participation and activation in churches, local communities and national contexts Articulated in several Modules, each one with 5/6 Exercises

Main findings

Interrelation between identities and integration process Interrelation between a collective religious identity and an individual identity: Collective religious identity:  can be acknowledged and shared by Christians coming from different countries,  can promote inclusiveness and care for the neighbor Individual identity determines a diversity of approaches to religion and faith Successful churches accept and appreciate given identity of newcomers and « natives »: it makes change/development of this identity possible

Rebuilding identities The process of rebuilding a collective (religious) identity characterizes the process of integration and active participation Looking at Churches: Biblical interpretation brings a message of consolation and empowerment and tools for expressing oneself Rebuilding one’s identity through a religious dimension brings to light a different perspective regarding one’s traditions/habits Looking beyond Churches: Need for an inclusive and empowering strategy that guarantees equal rights and values the differences Actions for stimulating a collective identity and a sense of belonging

Active participation in churches Choir: belonging, recognition, acceptance, participation in decision-making processes. Expression of capacities, experiences, faith shared with other members. Sunday School: involvement of youth and parents → gender dimension Worship service: strong meaning of acknowledgment and respect Self - organized groups Church-related activities: human rights, protecting refugees, development projects Organizing activities with other Churches and local congregations: worship services, baptisms, biblical studies, trainings for pastors

Understanding integration Analysing structures: Discrimination and Participation issues at stake with every human being → Need to work for inclusive structures guarantying equal rights and participation at all levels of society Promoting integration → Structures can be shaped in a more empowering way, involving all members of the society

Understanding integration Analysing contents: « This is my church » → fear of change, unwilling to participate in the integration process, segregation attitude « You are welcomed » → openness, everybody is free to join, rules are given, little space for the integration process, assimilation attitude « We are a community » → sharing and learning diversities and commonalities, promoting a new idea of community, integration attitude

MIRACLE Guide

The main findings are collected in the MIRACLE guide The guide is a practical tool for churches dealing with intercultural issues. The WinAct - MIRACLE methodology used in the workshops organised by the six partners is downloadable from CCME website at

The analysis at the basis of this guide is structured on three core issues: a)migrant-led churches and traditional churches b)majority and minority churches c)active participation and integration MIRACLE guide

The process of integration and active participation of newcomers is about improving the structure and attitudes of the church for all the members. Before starting a project for promoting integration, consider that: It requires a long time It needs many human resources It should be carefully structured in a participative way, without the predominance of some groups or people on others

Ten Recommendations 1.Realising integration as a two way process 2.Encouraging a welcoming attitude 3.Introducing interculturalism in church activities 4.Improving sociality among members 5.Reflecting on the church structures, aspects and attitudes that influence active participation 6.Going where the others are 7.Establishing a dialogue on core issues: gender equality and homosexuality 8.Dealing with conflicts in the church 9.Creating and improving network relations with association, migrant-led churches and traditional churches for exchanging good practices 10.Collecting data regarding participation in churches

Conclusions “Migrants” and “natives” are often misleading categories: → Importance to approach the local community level with a European network Organisations built on an ethnic/national basis can be an important stakeholder, promoting active participation and playing a crucial role in the integration process: → Need to establish a consistent dialogue and cooperation with migrant-led organisations Migrants are often bridges between different communities and realities: → Need of reciprocal and official recognition between « mainstream » and « migrants » realities (equal footing)

Conclusions Conscientisation for own structure important (where does it includes/excludes?) → method of learning for mainstream org. needed Visible representation of the mosaic of cultures encourages reciprocal understanding and active participation The involvement of migrants and natives in the same structures and activities of an organisation encourages active participation of ALL members (including “natives”) and the fulfillment of one’s own capabilities Importance of the family support for an active involvement in the organisation’s activities: → Promotion of activities and structures with trans-generational components

Empowerment process: perspectives “Imagine you could have the power to decide the administrative orientation of the church, what would you do to encourage migrants to get involved in the church?” “Firstly, I think I would create a structure that can help them in their everyday administrative obligations. This can allow them to meet with other people they can relate to in a place of trust and confidence. We must encourage migrants to get involved in the church, no matter what was their background. I believe there is a place for everyone” “We must manage diversity with what unites us the most: our faith” “You must give them the opportunity. (…) Get your things organized, do it in a positive way and the things will work out.”

ccme churches’ commission for migrants in europe Thank you © Thomas W. Stephan