Inburgering Flemish policy / Flanders / Belgium Good practises in Brussels

- 2 - bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Eric De Jonge General Director of bon bon is the Brussels Welcome Office 4 local offices and 92 multilingual employees bon is financed by the Flemish community policy of inburgering

Belgium: a very brief reminder 1 federal state 3 communities : Flemish, French, German 3 regions : Flanders, Wallonia & Brussels Different governments, different policies bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

Inburgering = Civic Integration «an interactive process through which the government provides immigrants with a specific programme to help them increase their self-reliance on the one hand, and on the other hand to encourage society to recognise them as fully-fledged citizens, with the aim of achieving full, active participation and shared citizenship as well as sufficient social coherence. » active since 1st april bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

- 5 - bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Target audience Adult newcomers and “old comers” Foreign nationality or Belgian nationals born abroad Registered with a Brussels municipality Residence status with a prospect of long-term residence Minor newcomers

Compulsory vs Voluntary Compulsory: only in Flanders Newcomers (< 1 year in Belgium) & Ministers of recognized religions Voluntary: ›Flanders : oldcomers & Europeans, … ›Brussels : everybody: new- & oldcomers bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

Reaching the target group in Brussels bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

- 8 - bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Programme Reception & Intake Social Orientation Course = introductory course / civic orientation Elementary Dutch language course Individual guidance Career orientation Social participation The programme is fully free of charge

Reception desk In co-operation with the House of Dutch bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

Intake Introduction to bon’s programme Enrollment of the candidate Test ‘Covaar’ (cognitive skills) at the House of Dutch Definition of candidate’s path at bon on the basis of: -language -level of education -result of the‘Covaar’ test Signing the contract bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Social Orientation Interactive course given in a contact language CLIMO – method (based on scanned needs / active participation/ debate) Correct information on: Belgium, Flanders, Brussels: history, structures, rights, duties, values, norms living / working / health care & social security To measure (he/me/le/alfa) Main goal: acquiring skills

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Elementary Dutch course 1.1. To measure (duration varies) In collaboration with adult education facilities adult basic education facilities must be recognised by Ministry of Education

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Individual Guidance Individual guidance during the entire programme Empowerment = key Integrated Objectives Framework: acquiring skills Practical help with: social services, day care, immigration procedures…

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Career Orientation Help in choosing a profession or finding vocational training by means of structured interviews In co-operation with employment & vocational training partners: Tracé Brussel, Actiris and VDAB

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Career Orientation 3 perspectives 1.Professional perspective 2.Educational perspective 3.Social-cultural perspective

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Social Participation Socio-cultural activities in Brussels Encouragement of active participation Volunteer work According to participant’s needs and interests

Since Jan bon is recognised as an official partner in the Brussels region for all jobseekers  Information towards professionals/ partners  Information towards clients  following up of the introduction of the procedure & equalization of diplomas bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Diploma recognition

Brussels Region officially bilingual Education = Community authority ► 2 procedures possible 1) Naric – Flemish speaking Community -> Equivalence service diplomas 2) CFBW – French speaking Community 2 different procedures 2 different outcomes possible bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Diploma recognition

2 different procedures = confusion Automatic recognition of qualifications is a tendency for Europeans, but not a reality, comparable to newcomers. Theory & practice are not the same Recognition by employers of practical professional skills, more fluent, but knowledge of language remains an issue bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Diploma recognition

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Figures Inburgering newcomers/year in Flanders +/- same figure in Brussels Region 8 Welcome offices in 5 Flemish provinces / 3 cities: Antwerp, Ghent & Brussels yearly budget for inburgering in Flanders & Brussels: million €

Figures bon bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Intake: -11 intake & recruitment employees immigrants of 138 nationalities Social orientation: -15 teachers -18 languages Guidance: -24 individual counsellors immigrants

Impact of Inburgering Study by HIVA / KUL University of Leuven: analysis of cohort 2005 & 2007 Oldcomers are included since 2007 Compulsory reaches 90% of target audience. Voluntary reaches 60% Flexible programme for working people needed Inburgeraars very positive about programme Positive impact on access to labour market Language level: to weak Need for better co-operation with partners bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Partners

bon - Brussels Onthaalbureau Thank you for your attention! Eric De Jonge bon vzw Toekomststraat 35, 1080 St Jans Molenbeek / Brussel