John England Deputy Director Social Services, Leeds City Council Barcelona 2 – 3 February 2006 Hearing on Immigration and Integration: Co-operation between regional and local governments and civil society organisations

What is EUROCITIES ? Established in 1986, EUROCITIES is the network of large European cities Membership is open to democratically elected city governments with a population of more than / important regional center with an international dimension Currently 123 major cities in 32 European countries.

EXCHANGE and LEARNING: –To enhance links among cities and promote trans-national cooperation through participation in European projects. IMPROVE GOVERNANCE: –To promote closer and more effective cooperation between the different territorial spheres of governance: local, regional, national, European and international. LOBBYING URBAN DIMENSION: –To engage in dialogue with the European institutions and ensure that the role and responsibilities of cities are taken into account in the development of EU policies and legislation. Aims of EUROCITIES

EUROCITIES and migration Social Affairs Forum –Working group on Migration –Developing manual on organising dialogue around Islam –Developing response to Communication on Integration –Developing best practice template for systematic exchange –Analyses of Hague Programme and impact on cities

Integration – the key role of cities Migration – a central concern to cities –why? Migrants live in cites! Little competences and resources - BUT cities affected as: –Service providers (health, education, housing etcetera) –Responsible for social cohesion –Politically accountable –Drivers of economic development and innovation ( unused

How to make integration work? From a Eurocities Perspective: –Work to develop a policy framework that all cities can sign up to. –Exchange and learning in order to improve services and address practical challenges in new and innovative ways –Ensure that sustainable strategies are developed at all levels of government, based on impact assessment and experience

The SEEM Project – a practice example Services for Elders from Ethnic Minorities – (Seem) a European project

SEEM Partners City of Leeds City of Lille City of Dortmund City of Gottenburg – Gunnared Ghent – Province of East Flanders Bucharest – Geron Foundation / Matca

Defining the Issues High risk of social exclusion. Increasing population in migrant communities with increasing cultural and ethnic diversity Strong evidence of inequalities in income, health and housing. Evidence that Services are difficult to access and do not meet need.

Project Objectives Combat the isolation of ethnic elders Improve consultation and Involvement Raise the profile of the needs of ethnic elders and their contribution to society Improve information about and access to services Sharing good practice. Dissemination of the results of the project

The SEEM Principles Respect – for the individual Consultation and involvement Equality – rights and opportunity to access services User empowerment Collaboration and Partnership

The SEEM Principles - continued Self help Evaluation and sustainability

Good practice checklist Service Delivery Dementia Café : Leeds Black Elders. Geron Foundation - Bucharest

Good Practice Checklist Understanding the needs of minority ethnic elders: Research commissioned by the City of Lille

Messages for Policy Makers Minority ethnic elders have particular needs Understand the diversity of your local community Develop a policy framework for the integration of minority ethnic elders

Messages for Policy Makers Work with the voluntary and community sector – build capacity. Promote active citizenship within minority ethnic elder community. Consider access issues to mainstream services.