DUTCH PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT

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1 DUTCH PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT JOINT ROOTS - JOINT FUTURE SUMMARY WORKSHOPS : EINDHOVEN-AMERSFOORT-LEIDEN REPORT: Joseph Junior Seh and Clarisse Fouda Centre for Collective Learning and Action- MAY 2018

2 This is a summary of a series of workshops that was organized by the Centre for Collective Learning and Action (CCoLA) and the International Debate Education Association (IDEA) in Eindhoven, Amersfoort and Leiden.The meetings were organized as part of the Joint Roots, Joint Future and The Decade For People of African Descent project initiated by the General Assembly of the United Nations. In all the three cities the model of a world café was used. The attendees were invited to share their experience of integration in 2018 on various themes: Participation & Cohesion; Youth & Education; Local Economy; Health; Work & Income; Environment & Environment; Culture & Sport; Security and Public Order. They were also asked to state how they believe their integration experience could be improved by 2022 in their respective cities. This summary assembles the similar views that Dutch people of African descent in the cities of Eindhoven, Amersfoort & Leiden hold on their experience of integration in their respective cities in 2018 and what changes they would like to see by In this report, Dutch people of African descent, African descent or Afro descendants refers to people of African origin living in the municipality of Eindhoven/Amersfoort/Leiden, regardless of their citizenship and nationality and who are prepared to contribute to the development of the municipalities where they are living. The three terms are used interchangeably in this summary. 1

3 SUMMARY WORKSHOPS JOINT ROOTS - JOINT FUTURE EINDHOVEN - AMERSFOORT - LEIDEN As of January 1, 2018, Eindhoven has inhabitants, of which are of African descent. The workshop in Eindhoven was facilitated by Mr Ernest Mason of the Expat Hub and Ms Marguerite Menama of Women of Africa. StadsLAB033 which according to Ms Jessica de Ruiter believes in "a fair society, in which everyone with respect for each other has a place to participate facilitated the workshop in Amersfoort. As of 1 January 2018, there were inhabitants in Amersfoort, of which of African descent. And in Leiden, which as of 1 January 2018 has inhabitants of which are of African descent, the workshop was facilitated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the municipality of Leiden which was represented by Ms Jos Valk, of the Youth Unemployment Action Plan/Social Participation. The workshops in Eindhoven, Amersfoort and Leiden were respectively organized on the 18, 19 and 20 March In Eindhoven, Mr Mpanzu Bamenga, former councilor for D66 in the municipality of Eindhoven enlightened the participants on what he has been endeavouring for the the Afro descendants of Eindhoven. In Amersfoort, Mr Nato from the Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs and Ms Annet de Raadt (PvdA) enriched the debate and in Leiden, Ms Marleen Damen (PvdA Leiden) en Mr Abdelhacq Jermouni from the municipality of Leiden joined the discussions. The results of the various meetings are indeed perceptions, indications, snapshots, depending on the status of the person who gave the opinion, his / her level of education, gender, background and migration story, the professional status and ambitions in the city where s/he lives, and the continent where s/he comes from. In short, the results of the meetings point to the observations of the descendants of the African peoples, of them as individuals, on their "ME". 2

4 DUTCH OF AFRO DESCENT ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN 2018 IN EINDHOVEN, AMERSFOORT & LEIDEN 1. On Social Participation & Cohesion One does not take the risk to come to Europe in vain. There is a great willingness to integrate and participate in the new found society. However, newcomers find themselves principally preoccupied with surviving and are often not aware of relevant information on their rights and duties. Some of the participants of African descent shared how they have experienced discrimination on the workfloor: they are paid less than their Dutch counterpart, and they still have to prove themselves more than the indigenous population, and others even struggle with inferiority complexes. In all the three cities, the need for a community centre for Dutch of African descent has been expressed: there is this belief that connecting with other Afro descendants will benefit each individual in his/her trajectory of integration. 2. On Youth & Education Parents of African descent are often disgruntled when they realize how different their conception of the role of the school is compared to how it actually is in the Netherlands. For many status holders, not only is the school system different, but in their country of origin, the school disciplines the child and parents do not necessarily follow up their children because the school plays a bigger role in guaranteeing the success of their offspring. However, this is in their experience, not the case in the Dutch system of education. The parents also struggle with the double culture in which their children grow up and their traditional gender views are challenged. Not to mention that their children are often disadvantaged because of the language barrier. In Eindhoven, non-eu university students find the study fees extremely high and they live in precarious conditions because they are not allowed to work. Status holders are disappointed in the poor quality of the civic integration courses they have to follow: since they are to enlist such a course, they can choose from many offers, but not all offers are qualitatively good.. 3. On the Local Economy Afro descendants often experience discrimination in employment opportunities and unfair treatment at work. In all the three cities, the regret 3

5 has been expressed that there seems to be no policy from the local municipality to empower the entrepreneurial aspirations of the newcomers. 4. On Healthcare The Dutch care culture causes misunderstandings as the role of the doctor is differently perceived by the newcomers. Moreover, mental health care is differently perceived: the spiritual or religious approach to mental problems that is common among many people of Afro descent is not appreciated in the Netherlands. 5. On Work & Income When it comes to job opportunities, discrimination is often an issue. Still there is a willingness to learn and master the Dutch language and in Leiden for instance, there is a need for qualitative good Dutch lessons and in Amersfoort newcomers often do not know where to find information about employment. 6. On Culture & Sport While on the one hand Dutch people of African descent are of the opinion that there is not enough support for African cultural events, and that they are not involved in the King s day festivities, on the other hand people are not well informed of the cultural agenda, and sport does not seem to be accessible to newcomers. 4

6 DUTCH OF AFRICAN DESCENT ON THEIR VISION OF 2022 FOR EINDHOVEN, AMERSFOORT AND LEIDEN 1. On Participation & Social Cohesion The municipality actively fights discrimination by engaging newcomers and the local people in cultural events, in Eindhoven for instance Afro descendants will be involved in the decision-making of policies that concern them and they will motivate themselves to participate better in the society and will not leave that process to politicians. The GGD (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst = The Municipality s Health Service) could be called upon to (help) develop a resilience course. 2. On Youth & Education In collaboration with the GGD parents of Afro descent are taught about the Dutch culture and school system, the quality of the language lessons is improved with vocational language courses and as far as the Afro descendants of Eindhoven are concerned, the negative narrative on Africa in Dutch school books has changed. 3. On Healthcare It is good to consult with the GGD to see to what extent Dutch doctors can develop a greater cultural sensitivity. Information about mental health care needs to be better spread among Afro descendants. 4. On Work & Income In Eindhoven, foreign students are allowed to work at least ten hours per week, trade unions are involved in the insertion of newcomers in the work life. According to some status holders, Language lessons should be given in combination with an internship, preferably in a mixed environment and the Afro-descendant of Amersfoort would like the UWV to actively inform newcomers about the labour market. 5

7 5. On Culture & Sport In all the three the Afro-descendants cities, there is a wish to have community centres where Dutch people of Afro descent can meet and exchange about their experiences. Further, there is a strong belief in participating and becoming part of the Dutch culture by presenting one s culture. In that regard, the Dutch of African descent in Amersfoort are thinking of organizing an Africa Day to promote the African cuisine. 6

8 THE FOLLOW-UP OF THE WORKSHOPS EINDHOVEN - AMERSFOORT - LEIDEN The follow-up of those workshops is envisaged as follows: Each city goes on its own way to ensure the continuation of the discussions that were started CCoLA offers the following route Refine the mapping of the perceptions of the Dutch people of African descent and their long-term visions and develop a system of mobilisations and information from Africans around a common agenda; Make a strategic plan for Africans in each of the cities, from which an annual plan will be drawn up; Create a core group that decides to organize events or activities and present this movement to third parties and learn from other cities; Create a network between Dutch people of African origin and institutions who want to do this at this time. To each of the organizations in the three cities help in the development of their common strategies; A follow-up and collect information and share information from the three cities; 7

9 ABOUT THE WRITERS OF THE REPORT CENTRE FOR COLLECTIVE LEARNING AND ACTION Joseph Seh studied Anthropology and Development Cooperation respectively in Cameroon and in the Netherlands. He is the founder of Centre for Collective Learning and Action (CCoLA) ( a foundation based in Leiden whose mission is "to promote, support and facilitate community-based collective learning". CCoLA works to create new knowledge about the benefits of collective learning and further emphasizes effective, efficient and collective action in addressing challenges for the community or organization. He is also the owner of Bridges Social Business Consultancy (BSBC) a social enterprise in which he acts as trainer, coach, process facilitator and speaker. Clarisse Fouda is a dynamic and diligent legal spirit. She obtained her LL.M International & European Law from the University of Groningen. After building up a varied but rich experience in different areas (legal and communication activities), she follows part-time tax law and teaches International Relations & European Integration at the International Business School in The Hague. She believes in the legal empowerment of individuals. The concept of collective learning in this respect is a revolutionary and innovative way to share knowledge. Within CCoLA, Clarisse coordinates the program "strengthening African communities in Europe". Furthermore, she focuses on providing CCoLA with the necessary legal information. 8

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