CITIZENSHIP&POLICYCITIZENSHIP&POLICY WHAT ACTIONS AND POLICIES DOES FRANCE IMPLEMENT TO FACILITATE THE SOCIAL INCLUSION OF ITS MIGRANT POPULATION? ESIT PROJECT 6TH PARTNERSHIP MEETING-GEEL (BELGIUM)

SOME KEY FIGURES AND FACTS In France: 24% of young people from migrant backgrounds drop out of school without any diplomas while the percentage lowers to 16% when it comes to young people without any migrant backgrounds 14,2 % of young people from migrant backgrounds are unemployed while only 8,6% of young people without any migrant backgrounds are unemployed Four main obstacles to the integration of migrants are pointed out : the French education system, the discrimination against migrants on the labour market, their poor living conditions and their low level of life.

THE FRENCH EDUCATION SYSTEM France is the only European country in which there is a specific mandatory teaching of citizenship over twelve years. However, France is also the OECD country in which the widest gap between the academic achievements of young migrants and the others’ is noted. What could justify this situation ? Young people from migrant backgrounds find themselves in the most overcrowded classes, in the poorest schools in which there is the highest concentration of migrant people.

FRENCH POLICIES TARGETTING THE INTEGRATION OF MIGRANTS IN FRANCE The French Government has been supporting the FORIM-a French national platform bringing together networks, federations and groups of Immigration-based International Solidarity Organizations which work towards the integration of migrants in France and the development of local communities abroad. What kind of support are we talking about? France developed a program which supports, subsidizes and promotes local development projects being carried out by Immigration-based International Solidarity Organizations. So far, the program entitled PRA-OSIM has subsidized about 206 projects.

The French Government has been implementing for several years now the Civic Service program which aims at reinforcing national cohesion and social diversity. The Civic Service is a voluntary commitment of at least 6 months. The volunteers choose to carry out a community work assignment which can be accomplished in various fields such as solidarity, social issues, humanitarian action, health, environmental protection, popular education, dissemination of sciences, culture, defense, civil security, the promotion of Francophone and European citizenship. In 2013, a new initiative was launched by the French association ‘Les Enfants du Canal’ in the framework of the Civic Service program. Known as RomCivic, the project consists in having 25 volunteers working a whole year with Roma people in France in order to improve the living conditions of those communities and to facilitate their integration in the French society.

POSITIVE CHANGES IN FRENCH LEGISLATION Two draft laws concerning the rights of foreigners and the right to asylum were reviewed by the Council of Ministers on July 23, They aim at simplifying the current right of residence of foreigners in France and at reforming the right to asylum with shorter administrative delays. Both draft laws were enacted in July Their implementation should improve the integration of migrants in France.

OTHER FRENCH INITIATIVES The French international solidarity association Grdr Migration- Citizenship-Development is implementing a new project entitled ‘The Regional School of Projects : migrant businessmen’. This project offers a free six-month training to enable any migrant with the idea of setting up a business to implement it by learning the required skills on a business, on how to promote one’s project and also on how to formalize one’s business idea. Thus, besides government institutions, local organizations and associations play a decisive role in the integration of migrant communities in France. It is therefore important that all actors collaborate together in order to enhance the integration of migrants.

THE EXAMPLE OF A LOCAL ORGANIZATION In France, you will find several different types of organizations which work towards the integration of migrants in the society. They can be specialized in the field of justice, professional insertion, education, culture, etc. Migrants can be the main target group of the organization as well as indirect beneficiaries of their activities. SPARTAK LILLOIS is one of those associations which, through the promotion of solidarity values, campaigns against any form of discrimination or racism.