Directorate of Integration and Diversity

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1 Directorate of Integration and Diversity Organisation and activites Jarmila Bubikova Moan Advisor - Unit for Qualification and Employment 1

2 The Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) 177 employees to date Budget: NOK 145 mill (+ 50 mill) Administers grants in the value of NOK 4,2 billion National coverage: Narvik, Trondheim, Bergen, Kristiansand, Gjøvik, Oslo Main goals: employment-focused integration qualification programmes rapid resettlement dialogue with immigrants interpreting services equitable public services 2

3 Immigrant population in Norway - key figures per immigrants : 9,7% of the Norwegian population immigrants and Norwegian-born persons with immigrant parents living in Norway. Half of all the immigrants come from Asia, Africa or Latin- America Oslo has the largest proportion with 25 per cent, or people. 37 % have become Norwegian citizens 3

4 Largest immigrant groups 4

5 Labour migration on the rise Valid work permits in Norway : 1 January 2003 till 1 January 2008* "Gamle" EØS-land og land utenfor EØS Nye EØS-land Citizens of nordic countries do not need a work permit in Norway and are therefore not included.. * Provisional statistics for 2007 and Bulgaria and Romania - part of EU since august Source: UDI

6 Economic and social changes A remarkable attitude change regarding cultural and ethnic diversity during the past 5 years: The need for and access to labour is one the main reasons for an attitude change regarding cultural and ethnic diversity at the workplace. Low unemployment rate Unemployment rate among immigrants : from 7,3 % to 5 %. (lowest since 1990) Unemployment rate generally : from 2.1 % to 1,4 % from 6

7 Discrimination of ethnic minority groups main tendencies Having an appearence that signals a background from outside of Europe increases the probability of discrimination: Immigrants from Africa experience most discrimination Immigrants from Eastern Europe experience least discrimination Religious dimension: Muslims - particularly vulnerable Knowledge and network reduce chances for discrimination: Least in the housing and labour market Most in unequal treatment in the public spaces 7

8 IMDi s vision and objectives EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND LIVING CONDITIONS IN A MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY IMDi is a competence center and an instigator of an inclusive working life, integration and participation in society generates and collects knowledge produces documentation provides advice and guidance disseminates experience-based expertise and information contributes to attitude change in society 8

9 Main target groups and cooperation partners IMDi is set on finding solutions together with others Municipalities State agencies Industrial partners Academic institutions Newly-arrived immigrant groups Persons abroad who intend to settle down in Norway The Norwegian population generally 9

10 Settlement of refugees To achieve speedy, satisfactory and stable settlement of refugees To contribute to their smooth integration in the local community Collaboration between municipalities and IMDi Practical work located at IMDi s regional offices Key figures: - Shortening of average waiting time from decision to settlement from 7.9 months in 2006 to 4.8 months in The number of setted persons slightly on the rise: 3800 in 2006 and 3826 in

11 11 Qualification programmes Introduction Programme - right and obligation to qualification aid according to need Enshrined in law since 1 September 2004 Full-time, one-year, individually tailored tuition scheme Introduction allowance Language and civic knowledge tuition Language and work traineeships Right and Obligation to participate in Norwegian language and social studies tuition Enshrined in law since 1 September hours of Norwegian language tuition and 50 hours in civic knowledge tuition Precondition for permanent residence and citizenship Second Chance Scheme for long-term unemployed and social security client

12 Employment and recruitment Knowledge about labour market, integration and diversity access to statistics, expertise, experience and resources Networking Active aid in creating partnerships (state agencies, business partners, educational insitutions, research organisations) Nurishes contact with role-model organisations Project examples: Enterpreneurship among immigrants Diversity Prize Women and employment 12

13 National Authority on Interpreting in the Public Sector To ensure that legal protection is not weakened due to language barriers National Register of Interpreters Bilingual testing of potential interpreters Licensing body for the governmental authorisation of interpreters Raising user-awareness among interpreter users possibilites and limitation in communication through an interpreter 13

14 Equitable public services (LOFT) To ensure equitable public services for all regardless of their background Instigator Role Develops and promotes tools for user-adjusting public services Generates knowlegde on barriers ecountered by immigrants in meetings with the public sector 14

15 IMDi s dialogue work 3 dimensions To increase mutual understanding as well as social interaction and cohesion in society Dialogue as a working method in IMDi Dialogue and co-operation between the immigrant population and authorities Dialogue between immigrants and the majority population 15

16 Action Plan against Forced Marriage All young boys and girls in Norway today entitled to equal opportunities and freedom of choice Overarching aim of the Action Plan is to combat forced marriage by preventing its occurance and help victims of such abuse The present plan is valid from 2008 to 2011 Containing 40 measures NOK 70 mil - IMDi administrates NOK 50 mil 8 ministries responsible for implementing the plan Close coordination of efforts among schools, child welfare services, family counseling, health and social services, public and voluntary services, police and governmental authorities 16

17 Measure No. 4: Minority counselors in upper secondary schools (slide 1) Assist students with a minority background to complete upper secondary education Assist, advice and follow up minority pupils Build up competence and spread awareness related to forced marriage in the lower secondary- and upper-secondary school among school staff Assist in initiating and conducting dialogue with parents Establish agreements with relevant cooperation partners at municipal, county and central-governmental level and with voluntary organizations 17

18 Measure No. 4: Minority counselors in upper secondary schools (slide 2) Schools - arenas for promoting integration and social inclusion, pivotal role in reaching out to the target group Around 30 upper secondary schools in 8 counties allocated minority counselors Focus on upper secondary schools where more than 20 per cent or more than 100 pupils have a minority background IMDi has employed 30 minority counselors: 18 affiliated with IMDi but they carry out their day to day activities at schools cooperate closely with Integration attachés stationed at Norwegian foreign missions abroad

19 Thank you for your attention! Jarmila Bubikova Moan Directorate of Integration and Diversity

Labour market integration of asylum seekers and refugees. Norway

Labour market integration of asylum seekers and refugees Norway Written by Sissel Trygstad April 2016 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Unit A1 Employment