© efms Religious Plurality in Europe – Challenges and Policies of European Cities Doris Lüken-Klaßen european forum for migration studies (efms), University of Bamberg Brussels, May 4, 2010

© efms Outline 1.The CLIP-Network  members  goals  topics  methodology 2.Intercultural policies directed at religious communities  Meeting religious needs  Fostering inter-religious dialogue  Improving relations with Muslim communities 3.Conclusion

© efms The CLIP-Network

© efms CLIP – Cities for Local Integration Policies (I)  Amsterdam  Antwerp  Arnsberg  Athens  Bologna  Breda  Budapest  Copenhagen  Dublin  Frankfurt  Hospitalet  Istanbul  Kirklees  Lisbon  Luxembourg  Malmö  Newport  Prague  Stuttgart  Sundsvall  Tallinn  Terrassa  Turin  Turku  Valencia  Vienna  Wolverhampton  Wroclaw  Zagreb  Zeytinburnu  Zurich

© efms CLIP – Cities for Local Integration Policies (II) Launch in 2006 by  Eurofound  Congress of Local and Regional Authorities  City of Stuttgart Main Aims  Supporting the integration of migrants  Combating social inequalities and discrimination  Supporting the exchange of experiences between cities

© efms Project’s topics Project’s modules 1.Housing and segregation 2.Diversity policy 3.Intercultural policies 4.Ethnic entrepreneurship Intercultural policies aiming to  improve the communication, interaction, and mutual understanding of (‘old’ and ‘new’) inhabitants  bridge differences between ethnic and religious groups in a city.

© efms The methodology: active inclusion of local experts  Questionnaire  31 city visits: interviews with roughly 700 local experts  Case Studies & Overview Report  Discussion at the CLIP Conferences  Policy Recommendations

© efms Intercultural policies directed at religious communities

© efms Policies meeting religious needs  Good practices to facilitate the construction of religious buildings & to prevent conflicts:  counselling procedures for religious communities  information campaigns for the local population and mediation efforts  political and public support  Good practices to meet migrants’ needs concerning cemeteries:  provide space  respect migrants’ burial rites and adapt local burial rules

© efms Policies fostering inter-religious dialogue  Dialogue of community members about faith topics  Informal meetings of community members  Fieldtrips to interfaith centres  Dialogue of religious representatives about societal and political topics  Councils of religions  Inter-religious networks

© efms Policies improving relations with Muslim communities  Policies of recognition  Informal contacts  Official political receptions  Iftar dinners  Measures to inform the majority population about Islam  ‘Open Mosque’ days  Seminars and exhibits on Islam  Information flyers  Empowerment and involvement of Muslim representatives  Training of (young) Muslims  Training of Imams

© efms Conclusion  Regardless of strong differences in national migration history, challenges at the local level are often similar.  The CLIP network accumulates a broad variety of innovative intercultural and inter-religious policies improving intergroup relations at the local level.  Most of them could be transferred to other cities.  Let’s make it reality!

© efms Thank you for your interest! For both more information and suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me: Doris Lüken-Klaßen, european forum for migration studies (efms)