INTEGRATION 2009 NINE FOCUS AREAS

Transcription

1 INTEGRATION 2009 NINE FOCUS AREAS

2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction by the Minister for Integration Affairs 2 Focus area 1 CITIZENSHIP AND INCLUSION 4 Focus area 2 NEWLY ARRIVED UNDER THE INTEGRATION ACT 9 Focus area 3 NEW IMMIGRATION LABOUR 16 Focus area 4 WOMEN WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND 18 Focus area 5 CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND 22 Focus area 6 EMPLOYMENT OF IMMIGRANTS 26 Focus area 7 FROM DEPRIVED RESIDENTIAL AREA TO PROSPEROUS URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD 30 Focus area 8 EFFECT MEASUREMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING 32 Focus area 9 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON INTEGRATION 36 The Integration Awards Integration in figures 42 The Integration Department and organisation diagram 46 Publications since

4 INTRODUCTION Ministry for Integration Affairs is a concern with activities in Denmark as well as internationally. The overall formulation of policy thus focuses on maintaining a fair, consistent immigration policy through legislation intended to control immigration while responding to humanitarian concerns, preventing misuse and addressing Denmark s need to attract the best possible alien labour. Another core task is the continuous development of an integration policy that accommodates human diversity as well as the ever-changing national and international challenges of our times. Thus both immigration and integration policy makes it necessary that the staff of the Immigration Service and the department of the Ministry of Integration need to be extensively and continuously updated about conditions in the labour market, local authorities and volunteer organisations in Denmark. They also need to be wellinformed about the situation in the EU and the individual Member States, international organisations and the countries we work with on refugee policy and labour recruitment to Denmark. First and foremost, this publication describes the key focus areas of the integration policy and gives an overview of the main activities completed in 2008 and planned for Many people arrive in Denmark to take up permanent residence while others come to find short- or long-term work. No two people have the same skills and abilities, which makes heavy demands on the integration process. Every year, thousands of people choose Denmark as their new home country, particularly refugees or aliens who have been reunified with their family. It is important for people who have chosen Denmark as their new home country to also feel a sense of belonging and being part of Danish democracy. It is important for them and their children to receive primary and further education that qualifies them to hold down jobs, also in the new workplaces constantly being established in new areas regardless of the economic situation. Despite the current crisis, Denmark still needs labour from abroad and must therefore be attractive to foreign workers. This means that integration must take the needs of the entire family into consideration. For a small country like Denmark to welcome a host of new citizens while simultaneously maintaining cohesion, a number of intensive and varied integration measures are necessary. Everyone must do their part to the best of their ability, learn Danish, find a job and take part in our democracy. Experience shows that belief in individual potential helps ensure that even those with the poorest resources gain a sense of self-worth and thus belief in the opportunities available in Denmark. In Denmark, everyone has the right to freedom regardless of gender and ethnic, cultural and religious origin. Irrespective of background, everyone must respect this right if freedom and equality are to thrive. Danish democracy is exercised not only in the Danish Parliament Folketinget and municipal councils. Democratic rules apply wherever people live and meet, in workplaces and in the hundreds of thousands of associations to which many belong. The same rules apply in the councils, boards and committees set up to handle certain tasks or to advise politicians. 2

5 Many new citizens have long since taken up positions at all levels of society in workplaces, associations and politics. Many people, Danes and immigrants, take part in integration initiatives in order to help new citizens find work and get them actively involved in recreational life. While Danish language courses are a fundamental pre requisite for integration, new citizens can only learn the language properly and understand democracy by being in contact with Danes on a daily basis. Only when we share a common everyday interest or interact at work or in our free time do we feel we belong to the larger Danish community. All areas of society contribute actively to the work of integration. An amazing number of people in Denmark from the municipal case officers who are in daily contact with new immigrants to the numerous volunteer organisations and private individuals have an impact on the success of integration initiatives. At the Ministry for Integration Affairs, many staff members make a huge effort to create a platform for successful integration. Month by month, new projects and initiatives are launched and necessary legislative changes made. This publication covers a series of topical focus areas but integration initiatives are constantly being developed as new challenges emerge. The following pages present nine key focus areas highlighting the ministry s work: citizenship and inclusion, newly arrived under the Integration Act, new immigration labour, women with immigrant background, children and youth with immigrant background, employment of immigrants, housing and urban initiatives, effect measurements and knowledge sharing, and international integration partnerships. Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to all the many people who work hard to ensure the success of integration initiatives, for the benefit of the individual and Denmark. Ministry for Integration Affairs, July 2009 Birthe Rønn Hornbech Strong measures will be needed to combat the threat of radicalisation and the presence of extremism, also in Denmark. Long-term, sustained integration efforts that make everyone feel part of the community are the best safeguard against citizens turning to extremism. The more familiar people are with the concepts of freedom and the workings of democracy, the less likely they are to fall prey to extremist forces. Unfortunately these efforts are not enough, and the government has thus prepared a special anti-radicalisation action plan. 3

6 FOCUS AREA 1 CITIZENSHIP AND INCLUSION FOCUS AREA 1 CITIZENSHIP AND INCLUSION In recent years, the government has launched a series of initiatives in order to strengthen the democratic cohesion in society. The aim is that as many people as possible should engage in the democratic society and support its fundamental values. This means that every citizen must be familiar with the democratic principles of freedom and civic responsibility in Danish society, dialogue, and respect for the differences and viewpoints of others. Initiatives launched in 2008 included dialogue meetings, integration initiatives in sports clubs and other associations, instruction in democracy, anti-racism campaigns, promotion of the SSP cooperation (local cooperation between Schools, Social services and Police) and the expansion of the role model programme. These initiatives are intended to both promote inclusion and democratic participation and help reduce the risk of extremist views taking root among young people. Anti-discrimination initiatives Discrimination both perceived and actual can intensify the feeling of exclusion and thus weaken resistance to extremism. A number of initiatives have been taken to promote equal treatment and combat discrimination. A new act affording the individual greater protection against discrimination has been passed and the Danish Institute for Human Rights has been established as the national authority on equal treatment, as has a complaints committee. Better opportunities for filing complaints have been available since 1 January 2009, when the Board of Equal Treatment was set up to deal with all discrimination-related complaints, including discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnicity. In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs granted a total of approx. DKK 2.6 million (350,000 ) in support of five new projects to curb discrimination in the nightlife scene. The projects include a continuing education programme for security guards and doormen and a theatre performance. Public information campaign on diversity and equal treatment The campaign Show Racism the Red Card has now been in effect for three years and is an initiative that aims to highlight problems relating to racism and discrimination. The campaign has been rolled out in football stadiums, the media and schools. Professional footballers act as ambassadors, visiting schools and debating discrimination, racism and diversity with pupils. The campaign has recently received further funding to include other sports and cultural activities. Find out more about the campaign at 4

7 Preventing extremism and radicalisation The need for early prevention of extremism became particularly obvious during a terrorism case in 2007 when two young men from a north-west district of Copenhagen were arrested, prosecuted and later convicted for planning terrorist actions. Both men were apparently well integrated, spoke fluent Danish and had jobs. Furthermore, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service assesses that the level of activity among right-wing extremists is still high. Since January 2008 the Ministry of Integration has chaired a working group of officials tasked with preparing and developing an action plan to prevent extremism and radicalisation among young people. The working group comprised the Ministry of Integration, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Social Welfare (now the Ministry of the Interior and Social Affairs), the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education. In June 2008 a proposal for an action plan ( A common and safe future proposal for an action plan to prevent extremism and radicalisation among young people ) was submitted for public consultation, and three dialogue meetings were held with representatives from research institutions, civil players and local authorities. The final action plan was published early in As part of the increased focus on strengthening democratic cohesion and prevention of extremism and radicalisation, a new 11-man division Division for Cohesion and Prevention of Radicalisation was established in April 2008 under the Ministry of Integration. Its main task is to collect and communicate national and international knowledge about inclusion, citizenship and the prevention of radicalisation. The division will use broad-based initiatives to support the work of local communities in promoting inclusion and citizenship and preventing radicalisation. The ministry stresses the importance of anchoring Conference on democratic solidarity and the prevention of extremism In December 2008, the Ministry for Integration Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark invited leading citizens from municipalities and the police to take part in the conference Democratic solidarity and the prevention of extremism local and global challenges. The purpose of the conference was to place such themes as inclusion and early prevention on the political agenda and to brief leading players on the implementation of the Government s action plan to prevent extremism and radicalisation among youth in Find out more at 5

8 FOCUS AREA 1 CITIZENSHIP AND INCLUSION initiatives locally so that local actors who know the young people and are in direct contact with them can influence them in a positive direction. Involving volunteers and associations Volunteers are unquestionably key players in the measures to increase cohesion and promote integration in Danish society. Their work is important because it is often directed at areas of society in which public authorities neither should nor can become involved: namely social life and humanitarian responsibility. The ministry works on an ongoing basis to improve opportunities for young people with non-danish ethnic backgrounds to get involved in associations. prevent a lack of financial resources from stopping children of parents with limited means from sharing the interests and values of sports clubs and associations on an equal footing with other youngsters. The ministry has also given special focus to strengthening the competencies and capacity of associations run by immigrants and thus enabling them to participate in the voluntary sector and in integration projects on a par with other associations. One example is the three-year grant provided to the Danish Youth Council s (DUF) partnership project, which resulted in the first admission of an association of immigrants to DUF. In 2008 the future of an initiative entitled Sports clubs and associations for children of parents with limited means was secured until The initiative helps to Greater participation in associations The sports club Boldklubben af 1893 (B.93) has always accepted young people from all levels of society and a wide range of backgrounds as members. However, the club discovered that it was difficult to sustain an acceptable level of youth work in teams with many immigrant youngsters. The club therefore implemented a project to remedy the disciplinary problems on certain junior teams and increase youth membership, including immigrant members. The project has attracted 87 new members and 12 new trainers with immigrant backgrounds, parental support has increased, and several immigrant players are part-time professionals on the club s league division team and the Danish Football Association s junior national team. The results have been so promising that Copenhagen City has initiated similar projects in four other Copenhagen clubs. Read more at 6

9 Involvement through the Council for Ethnic Minorities The Council for Ethnic Minorities advises the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs on issues of importance for refugees and immigrants in Denmark. The council has existed in its present form since 1999 and consists of 14 members from different countries of origin. The members come from local integration councils and are appointed by the council s assembly of delegates. The council was extremely active in 2008, holding nine council meetings on such topics as combating radicalisation, education and parental responsibility. Ministry for Integration Affairs is represented at the council meetings and regularly informs the council about new legislation concerning immigration and integration and other relevant integration initiatives. In 2008 the minister also held three meetings with the Council for Ethnic Minorities to discuss matters such as the rules for granting Danish citizenship and the recruitment of ethnic minorities as foster families and home-school cooperation. One of the council s core tasks is to submit consultation responses concerning proposals for new immigration and integration legislation. The Council for Ethnic Minorities additionally participated in 14 external committees such as the board of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Equal Treatment Committee and the contact committee between the Copenhagen Police and representatives of ethnic minorities. Finally, the Council for Ethnic Minorities held presentations at a number of national and international conferences and seminars. Read more about the council s work in its annual report for 2008, which can be found on the website: Multicoloured Voluntary Social Work The Volunteer Council and the Council for Ethnic Minorities continued their work on a joint project Multicoloured Voluntary Social Work, which started in January 2007 and ended in April The project had two general aims: To ensure that more immigrants get involved in volunteer social organisations, both as volunteers and as users. To promote cooperation between ethnic minority associations and other organisations. The project established a role model team consisting of 19 role models in all. In twos, they held presentations about their experiences with volunteer social work at association meetings attended by ethnic minority and traditional volunteer associations. During the project period, 26 association meetings were held around Denmark as well as ten volunteer fairs. The other project elements were developing a toolbox of tips and tools to increase the cooperation and diversity in volunteer work and compiling a nationwide list of ethnic minority a ssociations. 7

10 INITIATIVES IN 2009 CITIZENSHIP AND INCLUSION In 2009 the government will present a new overall action plan for combating discrimination. The action plan will include current and new initiatives for curbing discriminatory behaviour on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, promoting diversity and equal opportunities, and upholding Denmark as an open society with respect for the individual and room for diversity. Another focus area for 2009 is to launch the initiatives that are part of the government s action plan to prevent extremism and radicalisation among young people. These include developing a mentor scheme in order to offer individual counselling and support to young people on the verge of radicalisation. Local activities will be strengthen in order to give local players the information and support they need in order to implement measures to strengthen citizenship and inclusion as well as prevent radicalisation and extremism among young people in the best possible way. Finally a democratic platform for young people offering outgoing activities will be established in order to reach young people who do not see themselves as being part of Danish society and the democratic society. Once again in 2009 the ministry will initiate a series of specific activities under the Association diversity in Denmark integration through associations initiative. One of its aims is to strengthen the work of sports clubs and other associations as well as that of voluntary social associations so that they have the necessary resources to continue the work of integration. The initiative also aims to ensure that the voluntary sector can continue recruiting and retaining immigrant members and focus on involving them and their associations as volunteers in local integration activities. The government s interministerial task force for better integration will continue to focus on citizenship in For one thing, the task force will run a questionnaire survey on citizenship to clarify the extent to which immigrants consider themselves part of society, are active participants in Danish society and have confidence in public authorities and fellow citizens. The task force will also issue a discussion paper and hold debate meetings and a seminar on citizenship. At the beginning of 2010, the task force will publish the results of the questionnaire survey on citizenship as well as its recommendations for strengthening citizenship. 8

11 FOCUS AREA 2 NEWLY ARRIVED UNDER THE INTEGRATION ACT FOCUS AREA 2 NEWLY ARRIVED UNDER THE INTEGRATION ACT The Liberal-Conservative government s intensified integration programme In its action plan for 2002 Towards a new integration policy the Liberal-Conservative government had already asserted its goal to integrate new citizens so that they can take part in the labour market and society on an equal footing with the rest of the population. The focus was now turned on quickly finding employment for the new arrivals by simplifying the existing programmes, making Danish courses more efficient and making better use of the newly arrived aliens existing skills. In the employment field, the initiatives aimed to establish personal contact between individual immigrants and employers by providing job training and employment with a wage subsidy. Danish courses were to be made more vocation oriented: more flexible and allowing people with a non-danish ethnic background to work and take Danish courses at the same time. A number of initiatives for non-ethnic Danish women and youth were also launched as well as measures to promote volunteer efforts. The incentives for individuals to find work had to be right. A lower social benefit the so called starting allowance was introduced to help the new citizens and others who had been in Denmark for less than seven years into the labour market. Later a proper integration contract was introduced requiring the individual to participate actively in the introduction programme and play an active role in society. Newly arrived aliens who actively participate in the introduction programme and quickly find work are now also eligible for a permanent residence permit sooner than otherwise. Local authorities also needed incentives to make an extra effort. For example 2004 witnessed the introduction of a performance grant that financially rewarded the bestperforming municipalities. The most recent initiative was a more comprehensive funding reform in 2008, which further increases the financial incentives for municipalities to provide effective integration programmes. In 2006 the Welfare Agreement introduced a new special employment scheme with wage subsidies for private enterprises, and authorities got the opportunity to offer employment oriented programmes to people not receiving public benefits. In the course of 2007 low employment and smaller year groups in the labour market highlighted the need for international labour. An international recruitment plan was published in October Part of the plan involves implementing initiatives intended to retain and integrate immigrant workers. They include the introduction of a family package, which is an integration programme for the whole family, as well as online Danish courses to enable immigrants to being learning the language before arriving in Denmark. These initiatives are now being put into practice and are described in more detail on page 16. 9

12 FOCUS AREA 2 NEWLY ARRIVED UNDER THE INTEGRATION ACT Housing of refugees When a refugee is granted a residence permit in Denmark, the Immigration Service decides in which municipality he or she is to live. The Immigration Service s prime consideration during the placement process is the general integration of refugees in Denmark so as to ensure an even geographic distribution of newly arrived refugees in all Danish municipalities. Refugees are distributed according to regional agreements and, within the regions, by agreement between the municipalities. When placing refugees, the Immigration Service takes individual preferences and personal circumstances into account, as well as the opportunities for newly arrived non-ethnic Danes in the municipality. Thus while it is essential that the individual has some form of prior connection to the municipality, employment opportunities may also be very important. Refugees are the only group subject to housing placement. Aliens who have been reunified with their family are not subject to housing placement as by definition they move into accommodation with family members already resident in Denmark. Once the municipality has assumed responsibility for a refugee, it is required to provide accommodation. In addition, in the case of both refugees and aliens who have joined their families, municipalities are required to offer an introduction programme. In principle, everyone covered by the Integration Act must complete an introduction programme in the municipality where they have been placed or where they first take up residence with their family. 10

13 Introduction programme Municipalities are required to offer an introduction programme to all newly arrived refugees and family reunified persons 18 years of age or older. The programme may have a duration of no more than three years for each refugee or family reunified and must take an average of at least 37 hours a week. The introduction programme offers Danish language training for up to three years, as described in more detail below. The programme also contains a number of employment-oriented schemes. It is estimated that around 60,000 people have taken part in an introduction programme since 1999 (15,000 of whom are refugees). The extent and content of the individual elements of the introduction programme are set out in an integration contract between the newly arrived alien and the municipality. The contract is based on an overall assessment of the individual s circumstances and needs with a view to finding ordinary employment as quickly as possible. The assessment includes such factors as the immigrant s skills and abilities as well as the needs of the labour market. In this connection, the skills of newly arrived refugees and aliens who have rejoined their family must be effectively determined so that their existing competencies and qualifications can be put to the best possible use. This can be done through detailed interviews, a trial work period in an enterprise or through other skills assessment methods at an educational institution, for example. Two of the tools are a skills assessment template, which organises the skills clarification process, and a written competency card, or certificate, for the new immigrant. A formal assess ment of the immigrant s existing skills is made through CIRIUS, which determines the educational level and subject field to which the foreign qualifications correspond in Denmark. Newly arrived refugees and aliens who have rejoined their family and receive introduction allowance must be offered the option of participating in job training activities alongside their Danish courses. Newly arrived aliens who do not receive introduction allowance may be offered the opportunity to take part in such programmes. Newly arrived refugees and family reunified who are offered an introduction programme are required to participate actively in the various programme elements. Failure to do so can have consequences for the payment of benefits and ultimately for the possibility of being granted a permanent residence permit. Debureaucratisation The government has initiated a debureaucratisation programme. Within the Ministry of Integration s field of responsibility, special focus is given to the areas concerning refugee housing, integration contracts, Danish courses and the provision of financial security in family reunification cases. Proposals for debureaucratisation in other areas than these four will also be included in the ongoing work. Towards the end of 2008 so-called scannings were carried out in which municipalities and staff from six municipalities and three language centres identified daily procedures, including central and local government procedures, that they found unnecessarily bureaucratic and administratively cumbersome. A number of stakeholders, among them Local Government Denmark, were also consulted. The input from the participating municipalities, language centres and stakeholders was compiled into a draft catalogue of all the simplification proposals and discussed at a conference which was held in Eigtveds Pakhus, Copenhagen on 5 February All Danish municipalities (98), language centres and others were invited to this conference. A final, complete catalogue of the simplification procedures proposed by the municipalities and language centres was prepared on the basis of the conference discussions. In addition, the administrative tasks of selected municipality employees will be charted and measured to determine the amount of time spent on certain tasks. The ministry will use the scanning s, measurements and other parameters to draft specific debureaucratisation proposals to be presented in autumn Read more about the debureaucratisation programme at 11

14 FOCUS AREA 2 NEWLY ARRIVED UNDER THE INTEGRATION ACT Employment-oriented options under the introduction programme Danish municipalities can currently offer three employment-oriented options: guidance and qualification upgrading, specially adapted job-training schemes and employment with a wage subsidy. Newly arrived refugees and family-reunified immigrants with need to upgrade their qualifications or have them assessed can be offered guidance and skills upgrading. The available options include courses, an introduction to certain industries and municipal occupational projects. Newly arrived refugees and people who have rejoined their family and need to have their qualifications assessed or who lack the necessary skills to take a job on normal wage and working conditions or a wage-subsidised job can be offered company-based training. During this training, immigrants occupational, language or social workplace skills will be trained, and they are expected to increase their understanding of Danish society. Finally aliens can be offered a wage-subsidised job in a public- or private-sector enterprise to train their social, language or occupational competencies. Under this option, unemployed aliens will receive ordinary pay as an employee in a private company, for example. Job training can be combined with a mentor scheme. Municipalities subsidise such schemes to ensure that new aliens are given an introduction, guidance or training by a company employee or an external consultant. Systematic measures including Danish courses, rapid competency assessment, skills upgrading and job-oriented schemes are the way forward to finding employment for newly arrived refugees and family-reunified immigrants as quickly as possible. The so-called step model agreed with business and labour representatives can be used to organise the initiatives and set up a development programme for the individual immigrant with ordinary employment as goal. The individual immigrant s qualifications and labour market-related abilities determine which step he or she starts on and the relevant steps to complete. The first step is an active start period where the foundation for later integration into the labour market is laid, for example, the initial skills assessment and Danish courses. The next steps towards labour market-oriented integration consist of company-based training and an introduction to ordinary employment through a wage-subsidised job or employment on special wage and working conditions combined with language and qualification upgrading. The Company-oriented Integration Project 2 (VIP2) In December 2006 the government, labour market and the municipal partners made a four-way agreement aimed at better integration. The Confederation of Danish Employers, The Danish Confederation of Trade Unions and Local Government Denmark are implementing a joint methodology and knowledge sharing project, VIP2, based on the agreement. Among other things, the project focuses on testing and promoting the use of job packages, that is, a cohesive skills qualification process using the step model to target a specific job in a company. The project was implemented from April 2007 to April 2009 in five of the participating municipalities. Read more about the project at 12

15 Danish courses Newly arrived immigrants who live in Denmark are entitled to receive Danish language courses for three years. This group includes both newly arrived aliens who are covered by the Integration Act (refugees and family reunified) and other immigrants, EU citizens, for example. Municipalities are responsible for offering Danish courses. Some authorities run their own language schools, but most have made agreements with adult education associations, the Danish Refugee Council or other organisations about running the schools. There are three Danish language courses 1, 2 and 3 which are tailored to the participants educational background. All three are divided into six modules culminating in a national test, the Danish Language Test, levels 1, 2 or 3. The courses must be flexible enough to allow them to be combined with work or other educational options. The current Act on Danish Education for adult foreign nationals came into effect on 1 January 2004 and is essentially intended to provide an effective, flexible Danish education programme. A general evaluation of the act in January 2008 shows that the tools and framework of the act help to promote the following objectives: participants now complete the courses faster than before the act was introduced, and that students and business enterprises are satisfied with the flexibility of the courses and the opportunities for combining them with work. The composition of students at the language schools has changed radically over the past few years. The number of newly arrived aliens covered by the Integration Act has fallen while there has been a significant rise in the number of EU citizens and students, jobseekers and others arriving and staying in Denmark for shorter periods. The courses must teach participants the language skills they will need to function in the labour market and become active members of society. Instruction in cultural and societal understanding is an integrated part of the courses. Danish language courses 1, 2 and 3 About 35,000 students were signed up for the three Danish language courses in 2007: Danish language course 1 is aimed at students who cannot read or write the Roman alphabet. Danish language course 2 is aimed at students who have completed a short-term course of education in their home country. Danish language course 3 is aimed at students who have completed a medium- or long-term course of education in their home country. Sixty Danish course providers In 2008 sixty institutions provided instruction in Danish for adult aliens, run by the following organisations: 23 by municipalities 7 by the Danish Refugee Council 9 by adult education associations 21 by other private organisations Read more at 13

16 FOCUS AREA 2 NEWLY ARRIVED UNDER THE INTEGRATION ACT Financing integration programmes The Ministry of Integration subsidises and reimburses the costs incurred by municipalities for Danish courses, introduction allowances and the introduction programme. The related rules were changed on 1 January 2008 in order to simplify the system and increase the financial incentive for municipalities to provide effective programmes. Before the financing reform, the municipalities introduction programme costs were financed by programme subsidies, but since 1 January 2008, the authorities have received a 50% programme reimbursement instead. On top of this the state pays a performance grant to municipalities, which receive a grant of approx. DKK 40,000 (5,400 ) if a person finds ordinary employment or starts a course of education within the three-year introduction period, or DKK 30,000 (4,000 ) if a person signs up for and passes a Danish test within the period. UN quota refugees Every year Denmark receives about 500 UN quota refugees, who are often extremely vulnerable people in need of special support. Denmark grants residence permits to refugees whose integration potential makes it probable that they can be successfully integrated. Residence permits are also granted to refugees who need special treatment for serious illness. Before leaving for Denmark UN quota refugees receive a pre-departure course organised by the Immigration Service in conjunction with the department of the Ministry of Integration. On the course, the refugees receive 10 hours of Danish courses and 10 hours of instruction about Danish society, given by an interpreter. The purpose is to prepare the refugees for the transition from life in a refugee camp to life in Denmark. In 2008 courses were held in Malaysia, Zambia and Nepal. The group consisted of Burmese, Congolese and Bhutanese UN quota refugees. The teachers are Immigration Service and Ministry of Integration employees and external language teachers. Pre-departure courses will also be held for UN quota refugees in Courses are expected to be organised in Nepal for quota refugees from Bhutan and in Africa primarily for quota refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 14

17 INITIATIVES IN 2009 NEWLY ARRIVED THE INTEGRATION ACT A major exercise in local and regional government debureaucratisation was launched to follow up on the government s quality reform of August 2007 and the government platform Society of Opportunities from November As with a number of other ministries, the Ministry of Integration plans to present specific debureaucratisation proposals in autumn bureaucratic and administratively cumbersome. The Ministry of Integration gives special focus to housing placement, concluding and following up on integration contracts, Danish courses for adult aliens and others, and tasks related to the provision of security in family reunification cases, but is also addressing other areas. These initiatives will build on statements and proposals submitted by municipalities and language centres about daily procedures considered to be unnecessarily 15

18 FOCUS AREA 3 NEW IMMIGRATION LABOUR FOCUS AREA 3 NEW IMMIGRATION LABOUR Immigrant workers and accompanying families Today far more immigrants come to Denmark to work than in the past. Most come from new EU countries like Poland and Lithuania as well as from Germany, and those from non-eu countries are mainly from India. These people possess strong personal resources, a factor that makes new demands on integration programmes. Thus, in 2008 special focus was given to two new initiatives for this particular group: family packages and Online Danish. To settle down quickly and become part of society, immigrant workers and their accompanying families need information about Danish society and personal contacts in Denmark. The Ministry of Integration has therefore developed family packages with integration services for immigrant workers and their families. The family packages contain an information pack for immigrant workers and their families with a brief introductory course and information about Danish society. In addition, in an initiative inspired by the Canadian model, the family can be assigned to a host who can introduce them to the local community and local organisations, and help with homework and language training. Families with children can get information about local day-care facilities and schools, the Danish education system, and the content of selected training programmes and job functions. Launched in 2008 the Online Danish project primarily targets people who want to work in Denmark. It is a free online course option to enable people to learn Danish before arriving in Denmark to work. Online Danish is aimed both at people who have never spoken Danish and at people with some knowledge of the Danish language. Immigrants should be able to use Online Danish to achieve a level of fluency that will allow them to function in the labour market and society. As well as Danish instruction, the course will consist of three modules of information about living and working in Denmark. These orientation modules will be translated into English, German and Polish. The first module deals with the working environment and occupational safety and was finalised in The Integration Service under the Ministry of Integration also held a knowledge bazaar in November 2008 on retaining and integrating immigrant workers. Visitors to the bazaar s large exhibition area could hear about the experiences and good ideas of more than 30 companies, municipalities and other players from all over Denmark. Presentations about successful programmes implemented by companies, public authorities, educational institutions, associations and other players were another source of inspiration. 16

19 INITIATIVES IN 2009 NEW IMMIGRATION LABOUR The Ministry of Integration will launch new pilot projects offering integration services to immigrant workers and their accompanying families. For one thing, Online Danish will be further developed to give this group even better opportunities for starting to learn Danish before arriving in Denmark. A task force is currently looking into the possibility of replacing the present three-year entitlement to Danish courses with a multi-voucher model giving immigrants a corresponding right to be exercised within five years. The aim is to offer a more flexible scheme to people with jobs or special learning needs. 17

20 FOCUS AREA 4 WOMEN WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND FOCUS AREA 4 WOMEN WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND Women with immigrant background play a central role when it comes to integration. Several surveys have shown that children in families where the mother is well- integrated do far better at school and in the labour market. With broad support in the Danish parliament, the Ministry of Integration is therefore implementing a women s programme, Focusing on the resources of women with immigrant backgrounds. A total of DKK 56 million (7.5 mill. ) from the so-called special funds has been allocated to the programme for the period The women s programme is intended to encourage more immigrant women to be active members of Danish society. The programme comprises 11 initiatives to improve their opportunities for finding jobs, getting an education and participating in sports clubs and other associations. The initiatives should also give these women a better chance of supporting their children s integration and development in a wider sense. A common feature of the 11 initiatives is that they build on the women s existing resources and offer various ways of improving their possibilities for playing an active role in Danish society. This applies to the Neighbourhood Mothers project, an initiative that after a few years enjoyed great success in Berlin and is now gaining ground in Denmark. As part of this project, immigrant mothers train to become neighbourhood mothers. They seek out other mothers at home and advise them on how to support their children s development and integration. To date, the Ministry of Integration has supported 13 neighbourhood mother projects throughout Denmark. Better integration of immigrant women In 2008 a neighbourhood mother project was launched in Vollsmose (a deprived urban area in the City of Odense), giving women with strong resources the chance to complete a course to become neighbourhood mothers. They are taught about Danish society, recreational activities and associations, childraising, health and nutrition. Each theme is underpinned by an excursion to a relevant destination. The neighbourhood mothers then make regular visits to the homes of other women in Vollsmose and pass on what they have learnt on the course. They also introduce mothers to a new volunteer group in Vollsmose that offers such activities as homework assistance, language training and an introduction to associations for mothers, fathers and children. The home visits are targeted at women outside the labour market who neither take advantage of local activities nor have a large network. Read more about the neighbourhood mother project in Vollsmose at the Ministry s experience base 18

21 Honour-based conflicts, forced marriages and bigamy According to police statistics and figures from the National Organization of Shelters for Battered Women and Children (LOKK), the number of cases involving honour-based conflicts or crimes has risen dramatically in recent years. However, these figures cannot be directly interpreted as indicating an increase in forced marriages and honour-based conflicts or crime, but should rather be seen as an expression of greater awareness among young people about their own rights and possibilities for seeking help. The ministry is continuously monitoring the development on these subjects and adapts its programmes accordingly. A large number of initiatives have been established to prevent forced marriages, support the victims of forced marriages and protect women who have escaped from a forced marriage. An action plan against forced marriages was published in 2003, and a number of its initiatives continued after the plan expired in Other new initiatives have been instituted initiatives that also embrace other forms of honour-based conflicts. In 2008, for example, a parents hotline was established where parents can call anonymously for advice if they are experiencing serious generation-related problems with their children. In 2008 a permanent mediation service started for families that have experienced serious honour-based conflicts between a young woman or man and the rest of the family. Another important initiative in the same year was the evaluation and further development of a Rehabilitation Centre for Ethnic Women in Denmark (R.E.D.). The rehabilitation centre is a shelter for young women seeking refuge from honour-based violence or related threats. In 2008 about 40 women were taking living at R.E.D. for a period. Finally a new fund has been set up to provide support for projects focusing on information, ways of influencing attitudes and support for the victims of honour-based conflicts. In spring 2009 bigamy became the subject of debate. In Denmark bigamy is a punishable offence and anyone performing a marriage of an already married person can have his or her marriage authority revoked. Religious officials holding residence permits who are accomplices to bigamy can be expelled. In spring 2009, to make it absolutely clear that bigamy not only is a punishable offence but is also contrary to the fundamental norms of freedom and equality, the government proposed a bill to tighten the expulsion rules for anyone who commits or is an accomplice to bigamy. 19

22 FOCUS AREA 4 WOMEN WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND Family-supported women Immigrant women who are supported by their husband or other family members represent an unutilized source of labour. This is one of the conclusions of a report issued in November 2008 Family-supported female immigrants opportunities and obstacles in the labour market and in the educational system. A qualitative and quantitative survey carried out by the Danish Institute of Governmental Research (AKF) with funding from the Ministry of Integration. The report concludes that, partly because of the stricter family reunification rules, this group of family-reunified women generally has more resources than previously, but that some of them have difficulty using their qualifications when they get a job. Municipalities have a number of options to offer these women, but the survey indicates that employment-oriented initiatives for family-supported women vary greatly between the municipalities. To increase municipalities awareness of the possibilities and advantages of targeting job-oriented initiatives at family-supported women, the Integration Service and The National Expert Centre for the Employment of Ethnic Minorities (under the Ministry for Employment) have produced a pamphlet, It pays to offer initiatives for unemployed self-supported immigrants!, and a seminar was held on the topic in autumn The two organisations also established a joint knowledge and experience sharing network for municipality employees who work with the target group of family-supported women. Participation of immigrant women in Danish courses In May 2008 a research project was initiated to look into the opportunities and obstacles to the participation of immigrant women in Danish courses, examining why different groups of immigrant women do not participate in or complete these courses. The project will also examine the attitudes of different groups to taking Danish courses, and potential obstacles in the form of expectations, motivation, attitudes at home and other social factors that may pose a barrier to participation. It will furthermore shed light on the women s own assessment of the offer of Danish courses, and collect experiences, best practices and methods from municipalities, job centres and language centres about their work of informing, advising and teaching. The project is expected to be completed in mid

23 INITIATIVES IN 2009 WOMEN WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND The women s programme is being continued in 2009, with networks being formed between the projects supported in order to pass on good experiences. An annual amount totalling approx. DKK 20 million (2.7 mill. ) has been earmarked for the next three years ( ) for initiatives to combat honour-based conflicts. New activities in 2009 will include the establishment of several initiatives: accommodation for young couples escaping from honour-based conflicts, a central advisory and information unit about honour-based conflict, a nationwide mediation team and a male role model corps. To facilitate inter-authority experience sharing, regional network meetings will be held in spring 2009 for municipality employees who work with employment-oriented schemes for family-supported immigrants. According to the government platform, municipalities are required to offer job training programmes to familysupported women in the home, improving their opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and networking. The possibilities for changing the relevant rules are currently being investigated. 21

24 FOCUS AREA 5 CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND FOCUS AREA 5 CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND Marginalised ethnic minority youth In 2008 the government task force for better integration focused on marginalised immigrant youth, that is, children and young people with immigrant background who have poor academic skills, are socially disadvantaged or have difficulty dealing with the education system and the labour market. During the year, the task force published a discussion paper, organised a seminar and prepared a report on the topic. The report shows that about 36,000 immigrant children and 11,000 immigrant young people are at risk of marginalisation or are marginalised. This corresponds to one in four of all ethnic minority youth, whereas the figure for native children is less than one in ten. The task force pinpoints a number of reasons for a relatively large group of immigrant children and young people being at risk of becoming marginalised. A significant reason is that immigrant parents have little education, are outside the labour market and lack knowledge of Danish society. Thus, they may find it hard to help their children with homework and advise them on their choice of education. Many immigrant pupils leave lower secondary school with such poor academic qualifications that they cannot complete a youth education programme. The drop-out rate from vocational training programmes is particularly high. A large group of school leavers thus have no qualifications and find it hard to get jobs. In some cases, marginalisation can lead to crime. The task force proposes 18 new specific government initiatives for combating marginalisation among ethnic minority youth. Above all, the task force suggests that the Ministry of Integration and municipalities who can expect or already face special challenges with marginalization should make partnership agreements regarding local initiatives. Partnership agreements should contain an action plan with performance targets for the initiatives, and they should be prepared and implemented in a binding cooperation between the municipality and the other relevant actors. 22

25 We Need All Youngsters In 2009 the We Need All Youngsters (Brug for alle unge) project continued and additionally developed activities concerning role models, cooperation with parents, labour market recruitment and collaboration with volunteer organisations. The activities in 2008 included a recruitment campaign for the Educational Secretariat of Industries to attract more young people to vocational training programmes in the industrial sector and a theatre performance targeted at immigrant parents and young people to stimulate dialogue on integration and education. The Ministry of Integration s role models, who help to motivate other young people to complete an education by telling their own education and integration stories, have paid more than 125 visits to young people and their parents. They visited lower secondary schools, vocational colleges and other institutions. In 2008 the ongoing work of establishing locally embedded role model teams around Denmark brought the number up to 11. We Need All Youngsters also initiated and was a partner for the development of an online homework assistance café where Danish school pupils can get help with homework via their own computer. We Need All Youngsters A unit within the Ministry of Integration, We Need All Youngsters has worked since 2003 to encourage more young non-ethnic Danes to start and complete a youth educational programme in order for them to subsequently gain a permanent attachment to the labour market. In 2008 measures have focused on retaining young people in education, because only six out of ten immigrant young people complete a youth educational program. The role models of the We Need All Youngsters campaign The campaign s role models are young people and parents, most of whom have immigrant backgrounds. Drawing on their own experience, they explain how it is possible to take a course of post-secondary education despite the obstacles, while parents describe what it is like being the parents of a youngster en route to an education and a job, and how parents can best support young people in choosing and completing an education. We Need All Youngsters offers and arranges a broad spectrum of activities and measures, including role model visits, homework assistance schemes and campaigns to influence attitudes among youth and their parents. In recent years the initiatives have targeted primary and lower secondary schools, bridge-building projects and youth education programmes, with a special focus on vocational colleges. We Need All Youngsters initiatives, which are financed by funds for special schemes, are currently planned to run until the end of Through honest, highly personal presentations, the role models motivate other young people to take an education and give parents and professionals action strategies to use while working with young people. The role models visit institutions of education, youth clubs, associations, groups of mothers, parents meetings and prisons throughout Denmark. Since 2003 the role models have been in contact with more than 15,000 young people. Read more about We Need All Youngsters at 23

26 FOCUS AREA 5 CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND The Retention Caravan In 2008 the Ministry of Integration launched a brand-new initiative with the Ministry of Education the Retention Caravan to attract and retain ethnic minority youth in vocational training programmes. The overall goal of this initiative for 2015 is for as many young people to choose and complete vocation-oriented programmes. The Retention Caravan was launched in November By the end of 2008 partnerships had been initiated with four vocational colleges, where among other things, the initiative consists of upgrading teaching skills. Activities to strengthen relations with families and parents and develop intensive learning courses have also been introduced. Involving parents in primary and lower secondary school activities In 2008 the Ministry of Integration also launched a fouryear initiative to put focus on the resources of immigrant parents and strengthen their involvement in the social and academic development of their children at primary and lower secondary school. The initiative is part of the Equal opportunities agreement under the special funds agreement for 2008, and DKK 56 million (7.5 mill. ) has been allocated for programmes. The initiative will be implemented as a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Social Affairs. Support will be provided for home-school counsellors and others. Counsellors are people with strong personal resources who can advise and support colleagues, managers and parents at the school on the home-school cooperation with immigrant parents. A continuing education course will be developed for home-school counsellors as well as a handbook regarding home-school cooperation with immigrant parents. The Retention Caravan The Retention Caravan is a joint project between the Ministry of Integration and the Ministry of Education. The Retention Caravan is an independent part of the We Need All Youngsters campaign. In association with selected vocational colleges, the project aims to give youth a better chance to complete a vocational youth education programme. Co-financed by special scheme funds and the European Social Fund, the initiative has a budget of DKK 71 million ( 9.5 mill. ) and will run for the next four years. Read more about the retention caravan at School development project For-di forældredialog i skolen In 2008 the Ministry of Integration supported this parental dialogue project, which is headed up by the UC2 resource centre, University College Lillebælt and the parents organisation, the National Association of Schoolparents. The four-year school development project will test new forms of home-school cooperation during the first, intermediate and final years of schooling at nine schools in three municipalities. The project will help schools and homes to build up a common understanding of the home-school cooperation and the pupil s abilities in order to improve the skills of pupils who have Danish as a second language. Project experiences will be incorporated on an ongoing basis in continuing education courses for home-school counsellors and the ministry s other initiatives in the area. Read more about the funds for the Home-school counsellors and Better involvement of immigrant parents in primary and lower secondary school activities initiatives at 24

27 INITIATIVES IN 2009 CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND Ministry for Integration Affairs will enter into local multiannual partnerships with selected municipalities in order to ensure greater cohesion of initiatives aimed at marginalised children and youth with immigrant background. As part of the agreement on funds for special schemes for 2009, the ministry has earmarked DKK 40.5 million (5.4 mill. ) for these agreements for the period The We Need All Youngsters campaign will focus on boys with an immigrant background and the challenges they face in relation to school and education, etc. We Need All Youngsters will also introduce a pilot programme of alternative homework assistance schemes and boys clubs and launch a campaign aimed at changing the attitudes of youngsters with a view to promoting their participation in voluntary work. The Retention Caravan will involve between six and eight new vocational colleges and collaborate with between two and four production schools. A programme of new study and homework assistance schemes will also be introduced at vocational college level. In 2009 the ministry will also give additional focus to the resources of parents with immigrant background including early initiatives for young children with Danish as a second language which will continue until they have completed a programme of youth education. Ministry for Integration Affairs will prioritise cooperation with immigrant parents with youngsters with Danish as a second language in day-care programmes and strengthen parental involvement with young people taking youth education programmes. 25

28 FOCUS AREA 6 EMPLOYMENT OF IMMIGRANTS FOCUS AREA 6 EMPLOYMENT OF IMMIGRANTS Despite the positive development in recent years in the employment of immigrants, their frequency of employment is lower than that of natives. In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs therefore focused on generally improving the employment situation of immigrants as well as that of particularly vulnerable groups such as traumatised refugees, immigrant women and youth. Working with municipalities In recent years numerous solutions and tools have been developed to help municipalities implement integration tasks. However, not all municipalities are familiar with these solutions and tools or indeed use them. Ministry for Integration Affairs has therefore set up the Integration Service as a consultancy unit to provide municipalities with a service that can help eliminate conventional thinking and ensure interdisciplinary collaboration for a more effective integration effort. The Integration Service The Integration Service under the Ministry for Integration Affairs was set up as an external service to provide municipalities with positive everyday examples i.e. to ensure the spread of information on integration and to provide integration advice that works. The Integration Service provides case examples which show that it pays to invest in integration, and the unit s consultants help municipalities to develop their integration efforts. The consultants are development- and solution-oriented, supporting the municipalities adaptation and anchoring of integration programmes based on local conditions, existing knowledge and competencies across players and municipal boundaries. The Integration Service helps to put integration on the agenda of all municipalities. Find out more about the Integration Service at Bolstered employment effort the Gribskov model The Gribskov model is a targeted employment programme for immigrant women developed in association with the Municiaplity of Gribskov, Sprogcenter Nordsjælland (Language Center), Københavns Hotel- og Restaurationsservice, Servisio and the Integration Service. The programme is a short-term service sector initiative targeted at unemployed people on cash benefits who find themselves at a severe disadvantage due to language, professional, health and social limitations, and who are thus unable to join the workforce in the normal way. Using intensive language and professional training at a closed training facility, bilingual instructors, point scores and prizes, the programme has had an impressive, long-term effect on the participants ability to provide for themselves. The programme is among the most effective employment initiatives for newly arrived aliens and long-term unemployed immigrant women from non-western countries. Find out more about the Gribskov model by visiting the ministry s experience database at 26

29 In 2008 the Integration Service under the Ministry for Integration Affairs was in contact with 70 municipalities (there is a total of 98 municipalities). Collaboration with the municipalities includes tailored professional support for staff as well as major inter-authority cooperative agreements. In 2008 the ministry held knowledge bazaars on new immigration labour and traumatisation, seminars on health conditions among immigrants and courses on work availability requirements. A series of method handbooks and catalogues on best practice in municipal integration initiatives has been published. Focus on health and integration In autumn 2008 the Integration Service held a series of courses entitled Health and integration to focus attention on the typical illnesses and illness patterns of people with immigrant background, effective tools and methods, and cooperation between different players in the employment and professional health sectors. Aiming at decision-makers, frontline staff and suppliers, the courses generated a tremendous amount of interest. Almost 450 participants registered for the 10 courses. The majority of participants were involved in municipal employment initiatives, representing 48 municipalities from around the country, a fact which clearly reflects the considerable interest and need for this type of courses. Find out more by reading the catalogue Health and integration at 27

30 FOCUS AREA 6 EMPLOYMENT OF IMMIGRANTS The mentor campaign In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs implemented a series of initiatives to promote the use of mentors in employment programmes and support the employment and subsequent retention of people with an immigrant background. The ministry launched an informative campaign aimed at employers and municipalities. The campaign included a corps of mentors and lighthouse companies, which were highlighted as positive examples in a brochure and at The ministry also held a number of regional courses on mentors and published a mentor checklist containing good advice on mentors and guidance for companies, job consultants and others. The Diversity Programme The Diversity Programme A place to work for new Danes ( ) was further strengthened in The aim of the programme is to collect, refine and communicate companies positive experience of diversity management in order to promote employment for people with an immigrant background and the integration of those already in jobs. Initially, DKK 23 million (3 mill. ) was earmarked for the project. In 2008, an additional DKK 12 million (1.6 mill. ) for the programme was allocated from the funds for special schemes. As of 2008 the programme has supported 15 specific projects. A substantial amount of experience has already been gained on such topics as company recruitment and employment of ethnic minorities, the use of mentors, and religion in the labour market. In the course of 2008 this experience was described in such publications as Religion in the Danish labour market and Employees of immigrant background in small and medium-sized companies, and discussed at a series of autumn conferences. In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs introduced several information activities, including video spots on integration in practice and a campaign, KulturMødet (Culture Meeting), featuring radio spots and ads offering good advice about cultural diversity in the workplace. The project of diversity at municipal level and in the state project (MIKS) The MIKS project was implemented by the State Employer s Authority and Local Government Denmark as part of the Ministry for Integration Affairs diversity programme to promote diversity at municipal and state level. The project encompasses seven public institutions four ministries and three major municipalities spread across the different regions which have worked with diversity at all levels. The project also includes a research element. The project s research report together with experiences and recommendations from the chief executive board and recruitment network can be read at 28

31 INITIATIVES IN 2009 EMPLOYMENT OF IMMIGRANTS In 2009 the Integration Service will focus on the reception and integration of new refugees, retention of people with immigrant background in the labour market, and active employment initiatives for unemployed self-supporting family reunified persons and traumatised immigrants. As a follow-up to the tripartite agreement on the reduction of absence due to illness agreed by the government and the labour market parties on 29 September 2008, the scope of the mentor scheme will be expanded in In future, funds are to be made available so that a mentor can help the absentee retain or find employment. The amendment to the act is expected to come into force in mid Ministry for Integration Affairs will also give special focus to communicating the substantial experience gained as a result of the diversity programme. In May 2009 the ministry will hold a conference focusing on the results of the diversity programme. 29

32 FOCUS AREA 7 FROM DEPRIVED RESIDENTIAL AREA TO A PROSPEROUS URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD FOCUS AREA 7 FROM DEPRIVED RESIDENTIAL AREA TO A PROSPEROUS URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD As part of the government s strategy against ghettoisation initiated in May 2004, a programme board was set up to monitor the development in deprived residential areas and assess the need and possibility for new initiatives. The programme board concluded its activities in 2008 after systematising and communicating the body of experience and knowledge it had amassed over the preceding four years. In November 2008 the programme board held a concluding conference and published a report containing a series of recommendations for the government, municipalities and housing organisations. The report highlights seven focus areas that can supplement and fulfil the government s ghettoisation strategy. These are: 1) restructuring of monofunctional neighbourhoods and estates, 2) managing and regulating the mix of residents in the most deprived residential areas, 3) schooling and education, 4) employment, 5) safety and neighbourly relations, 6) effective organisation and 7) communication. According to the report initiatives regarding these focus areas should have a dual focus. First, to bring about radical change in the most deprived residential areas in the form of physical changes, urban regeneration and a change in ownership and tenants structure. Second, to strengthen integration through education and the upgrading of language skills, an understanding of Danish society, the acquisition of qualifications relevant to the Danish labour market and society in general, and employment promotion. Ministry for Integration Affairs has also focused on developing so-called urban indicators. These are a series of indicators to identify deprived residential areas and areas that are in danger of becoming so. The aim is to continually monitor these areas and to measure whether a particular initiative has had the desired effect. The measurements relate to earnings, relocation, residents background, residents employment, etc. The project is implemented as a joint initiative between the Ministry for Integration Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Social Affairs and Statistics Denmark. 30

33 INITIATIVES IN 2009 FROM DEPRIVED RESIDENTIAL AREA TO A PROSPEROUS URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD In 2009 the Ministry for Integration will focus on following up on the programme board s recommendations for integration initiatives in deprived residential areas. The recommendations will form part of the ministry s deliberations on future initiatives in the most deprived residential areas, including special initiatives aimed to promote employment of residents and integration of children and youth. The ministry is also dedicated to gathering and communicating information about best practices in connection with future initiatives in the most deprived residential areas. To this end the ministry participates in the URBACT programme, a European initiative under the auspices of the European Commission. The ministry will also ensure that larger municipalities become more familiar with the work of the programme. 31

34 FOCUS AREA 8 EFFECT MEASUREMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING FOCUS AREA 8 EFFECT MEASUREMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING Measuring the legislative effects on integration Ministry for Integration Affairs has maintained an ongoing focus on measuring the legislative effects on integration. In 2004 the ministry published the first effect measurement of municipalities integration initiatives. The measurement compares the speed with which municipalities are able to find employment or provide education for new refugees and family reunified under the Integration Act. The aim is to encourage municipalities to share knowledge on the most effective ways of planning integration initiatives. The ministry has also implemented a series of major assessments together with analyses of specific areas of the integration effort. The assessments show that since 2001 municipalities have focused more on employment initiatives. Now newly arrived immigrants and family reunified find permanent work faster than before. The likelihood of new arrivals beginning an employment programme within their first year in Denmark rose from 16% in 2001 to 29% in In September 2008 the ministry published an effect measurement of Danish language providers that showed which providers were the fastest and most effective in teaching Danish. The measurement indicates that the effectiveness of Danish language courses has increased sharply under the new Danish Education Law. Thus from 2004 to 2006 substantially fewer lessons were required to complete the individual Danish course modules than was previously the case. In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs conducted a user survey on the introduction programme. Based on 500 interviews of refugees and family reunified in several municipalities, the survey shows that respondents were extremely satisfied with the programme and the way they are received on their arrival in Denmark. A resounding 78% were satisfied with Danish language courses and 72% were satisfied with their job training and employment with wage subsidies, while over half namely 63% were satisfied with the treatment they received from their municipal case officer. The ministry expects to publish a new user survey in the course of

35 Measurement of the effects of projects In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs concluded a development initiative regarding the effect measurement of projects that receive ministry funding. The focus on effect measurement helps to ensure that the integration objectives are clearly defined and that precise success criteria are established for specific funding and supported projects. Effect measurements are also an excellent tool for prioritising which type of projects the Ministry for Integration Affairs should support in order to achieve the general objectives of the ministry s different funding pools. At the same time, effect measurements can help to determine focus and initiatives within the individual projects. A practical handbook on effect measurement for all those involved in project effect management is available from the ministry s website. Projects seeking ministry funding are required to provide clear success criteria together with the expected effects of the project. Effect measurement also provides the ministry and the individual projects with greater control and a method for evaluating progress and the results of the initiatives. In this way the ministry achieves the capacity for internal assessment, which in turn enables it to gather valuable experience about what works and what does not. Much of this valuable experience is published via the ministry s experience database at 33

36 FOCUS AREA 8 EFFECT MEASUREMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING Performance management In addition to effect measurement, the Ministry for Integration Affairs also works with performance management, otherwise known as result-based management. The aim is to continually monitor the development of central parts of the integration effort to determine whether the established effects/results are being achieved. Central elements include the employment, level of educational, settlement and Danish language ability of ethnic minorities. The model below (change theory) illustrates how the ministry s activities, legislation and cooperation with central players affect integration. The ministry has established 17 intermediate and six general long-term objectives. The long-term objective of daily ministry initiatives and central players in the area is Better integration and cohesion in Danish society. Increased employment is one example of a ministry objective. In 2004 the government set up a goal to secure employment for an additional 25,000 immigrants before This figure was corrected for the fact that more immigrants will join the employment age group during the same period. The ministry has continued to monitor this goal (corrected for changes in the size of the population), and between 2004 and 2008, 26,000 more immigrants from non-western countries have found employment. Thus the objective has been achieved two years ahead of schedule. The ministry expects to publish the complete change theory and the objectives in 2009 together with information on developments. Publicising knowledge and information A survey shows there is a great deal of relevant knowledge and information on integration but that there is a greater need for coordination between knowledge centres, researchers etc. and a need to make information more accessible and situation-specific. Many users, especially municipal staff, request specific advice and personal service adapted to their actual situation. Users therefore tend to rely on personal networks when they need information, seeking to a lesser extent theoretical knowledge that can be hard to access, timeconsuming to understand and difficult to put into practice. As part of the funds for special schemes in 2008, the ministry has earmarked DKK 13 million (1.7 mill. ) to implement a series of initiatives to communicate knowledge on integration. The ministry is developing a website to provide users with a clear overview of existing information on integration and intends to establish a formal collaboration network between knowledge centres and users. In autumn 2008 the ministry set up an independent steering committee comprising a wide cross-section of representatives from knowledge centres and users. The task of the steering committee is to bring knowledge closer to users and ensure that existing knowledge practical as well as theoretical is made available to users in a relevant and easily accessible form. STARTING POINT SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM LONG-TERM EFFECT The Ministry s resources and activities Results of 17 intermediate objectives, e.g. More women with immigrant background must be absorbed into the labour market Results of six general objectives, e.g. More immigrants into employment Better integration and cohesion in Danish society 34

37 INITIATIVES IN 2009 EFFECT MEASUREMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING In 2009 the Ministry for Integration Affairs will publish an effect measurement report on municipalities integration efforts. In this connection, the ministry will seek closer collaboration with several municipalities on measuring and managing the effects of integration initiatives. The ministry will also focus on measuring the effects of other integration efforts and the specific integration projects. In 2009 the ministry will publish a new user survey focusing on the level of satisfaction with the introduction programme. Finally, the ministry expects to set up several professional networks in Together with existing knowledge centres and continuing education programmes, the networks will ensure an ongoing exchange of experience on and the practical application of integration knowledge. The ministry also expects to establish a web site that will provide users with a clear overview of existing knowledge on integration. 35

38 FOCUS AREA 9 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON INTEGRATION FOCUS AREA 9 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON INTEGRATION Nordic cooperation The Nordic countries meet twice annually at NSHF (the Nordic High-Level Advisory Group on Refugee Matters). At these meetings national representatives discuss topical asylum and immigration issues, including integration policy trends in the individual countries. On June 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs hosted the annual Nordic conference for civil servants on integration with representatives from Finland, Norway and Sweden. The subject of the conference was Better integration of Nordic youth with an immigrant background. Cooperation within the EU EU cooperation on the integration of third country nationals includes exchanging information, compiling examples of good integration practice, and recommendations on good integration policy. The integration policy of the Member States is a matter of national competence and as such cannot be regulated by EU directives. 36

39 National Contact Points on Integration Ministry for Integration Affairs represents Denmark in the National Contact Points on Integration network under the European Commission, which is a forum for exchanging best practice on integration. Representatives from the 27 EU Member States participate in quarterly network meetings. Among other tasks the network is involved in the Commission s work of publishing EU handbooks on integration. The handbooks contain examples of good integration practice in the Member States. EU Ministerial Conferences The recommendations on good integration policy which provide the basis for the EU s cooperation on integration policy are formulated at the EU Ministerial Conferences on integration. The conferences are held approximately every two years and the recommendations are subsequently jointly approved by the Council (the Justice and Home Affairs Council) and the Member States. In 2004 the members reached agreement on a series of common, basic principles for integration. The latest EU Ministerial Conference on integration took place on 3-4 November 2008 in Vichy, France. The aim of the conference was to extend collaboration and promote coordination of integration policy and practice between Member States. Particular focus was given to language tuition, the promotion of national and European values and integration in the labour market. Cooperation on urban policy Just as with integration policy, urban policy lies outside the scope of the EU treaty, which is why this area relies heavily on knowledge sharing. In 2008 two issues in particular have been in focus. First, the issue of how urban policy can contribute towards better climate development and second, how Member States can follow up on the so-called Leipzig Charter from May 2007, which emphasises the need to adopt a holistic approach when addressing problems such as integration in deprived urban areas. In 2008 the Ministry for Integration Affairs also participated in the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN) and URBACT, a programme under the auspices of the European Commission. 37

40 FOCUS AREA 9 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON INTEGRATION Other international cooperation on integration policy issues Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC) Denmark participates in the work of the IGC, an informal collaboration forum for the exchange of information and political debate on issues that are important for the management of international migration. Twelve Western European countries together with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA work together to find answers to international migration issues. The IGC has established a working group on integration that focuses on the exchange of information on national policies, experiences and best practices etc. OECD cooperation Denmark and OECD work closely on migration and integration. Each year the Ministry for Integration Affairs prepares a national report, the SOPEMI report, which outlines the latest migration and integration trends together with policy initiatives. The SOPEMI report forms the basis of OECD s annual publication of the International Migration Outlook, which outlines general trends in the OECD countries and the situation in the individual Member States. The cooperation also includes informal exchange of experience on an ad-hoc basis. Most recently, OECD with the ministry s help has published a report on integration in the Danish labour market which is included in the publications Jobs for Immigrants vol. 1 and Jobs for Immigrants vol. 2. In the report OECD reviews the integration effort in the labour market and the derived benefits in eight OECD countries (Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Australia, France, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands). ALTE Cooperation on language education To ensure that the final exams in the Danish language courses the Danish Language Test, levels 1, 2 and 3 and the Study Test comply with international standards, the Ministry for Integration Affairs participates in a European quality assurance programme run by the Cambridgebased organisation ALTE the Association of Language Testers in Europe. As part of ALTE s ongoing revision, international test experts analyse and review the different language tests of the member countries, drawing up an overall report that assesses the quality of the test in question. Thus in 2008 the Danish Language Test (levels 1, 2 and 3) - which is a requirement when applying for permanent residence or Danish citizenship, was reviewed by a Norwegian test expert. In 2009 the ministry initiated a review of the Study Test, which is a requirement for enrolment into higher education in Denmark. 38

41 INITIATIVES IN 2009 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON INTEGRATION The concluding statement from the most recent EU Ministerial Conference on integration states that focus must be on promotion of the rights contained in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, to integration in the labour market and to women s integration. Ministry for Integration Affairs will actively engage in the implementation of the initiatives contained in the conference s concluding statement. In April 2009 the Ministry for Integration Affairs hosted an EU conference for civil servants on intercultural dialogue. The conference in Denmark is one of two annual meetings whose aim is to exchange experience on intercultural dialogue among EU Member States. In June 2009 the German authorities held an EU conference for civil servants on integration indicators and impact measurement in Berlin. In the future the Ministry for Integration Affairs will continue its involvement in international cooperation on integration indicators and impact measurement. Furthermore, through its participation in EU cooperation on integration, including the National Contact Points on Integration network, the ministry will continue to actively influence the integration agenda, putting forward Danish viewpoints and focusing on key issues. Similarly, the ministry will actively participate in the exchange of good integration practice between Member States. 39

42 THE INTEGRATION AWARDS 2008 THE INTEGRATION AWARDS 2008 Each year the Ministry for Integration Affairs presents its integration awards in the following categories: The Employment Award, the Activist Award, the Public Authority Award, the School and Education Award and as something entirely new in 2008 the Organisation and Association Award. The awards are made in recognition of all the excellent integration initiatives implemented in businesses, schools, municipalities, associations and elsewhere. The integration award ceremony was held on 4 November in Copenhagen in the festive setting of Cirkusbygningen. A total of 124 applicants competed for the awards. Fifteen were nominated and five received awards, which were presented by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. In her speech, Integration Minister Birthe Rønn Hornbech praised all those who make an extra integration effort in their daily work and whose commitment and shining example help to make a difference. About 800 people took part in the event. The Employment Award went to METRO Cash & Carry ApS, which has succeeded in making integration a normal part of everyday life. Integration is very much anchored throughout the company. The company s staff reflect society at large, and part of the corporate culture is to be a diverse, inclusive workplace for all trade groups at all levels. The judges felt that the company s integration effort was exemplary and that many other businesses could benefit from their example. The Activist Award went to Parshank Saeed from the Danish Women s Multi-cultural Association. Parshank Saeed is a true activist. Over the last 10 years she has actively helped more than a thousand women and brought about change in countless families, many of whom find it difficult adjusting to conditions in Denmark. Parshank Saeed is a creative thinker and a person who by virtue of her work in various associations has helped to Recipient of the Employment Award Metro Cash & Carry Recipient of the Organisation and Association Award the sports association GAM3 40

43 Recipient of the Activist Award Parshank Saeed from the Danish Women s Multi-cultural Association create a sense of joy and commitment as well as jobs for many women. The winner of the Organisation and Association Award was GAM3, which since its inception in 2002 has succeeded in permanently anchoring integration within the association and achieved impressive results. The association reaches a large group of youngsters from some of the country s most deprived urban areas. GAM3 has managed to involve a large group of voluntary youth who have helped with recruitment and social contact to participants. The Public Authority Award went to the World Culture Association Secretariat under the City of Copenhagen. The secretariat plays an important role in supporting ethnic minority associations. The associations receive advice and support for activities which allow them to function autonomously in the future. The School and Education Award went to Rising Continuation School. The school s Rising project provides an important and successful integration service for young people who come to Denmark at a late age or who for other reasons have not received sufficient primary and lower secondary education. The youngsters receive help so they can complete a programme of youth education or find employment. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you for all your efforts! Read more about the integration awards or watch the video presentations of the nominees at integrationspriserne The nominees for the Public Authority Award together with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech. From left to right: Vejle Integration Council, Minicipality of Aarhus and the World Culture Association Secretariat. 41

44 INTEGRATION IN FIGURES INTEGRATION IN FIGURES In 2009 there were approximately 530,000 immigrants and descendants living in Denmark, corresponding to 9.5% of the population. Statistically a person is classified as an immigrant when they are born abroad and as a descendant when the person is born in Denmark of immigrant parents (see the box below for a definition). In recent years we have seen a dramatic change in immigration with more new immigrants coming to Denmark from Western countries than from non-western countries. Thus net immigration from non-western countries fell from 2001 to 2008, while net immigration from Western countries rose. Figure 1 shows the development in net immigration, i.e. immigration less emigration. In 2004, for the first time, net immigration from Western countries exceeded net immigration from non-western countries. This new immigration pattern poses new integration challenges. Today there are almost 60,000 people of Turkish origin residing in Denmark, representing the largest group of immigrants in Denmark (see also table 1). Two out of three people of Turkish origin have resided in Denmark for more than 15 years. In addition, about 30,000 people from Iraq and Germany reside in Denmark. In Denmark the group of descendants (or second generation) continues to be very small: only 24% of all nonethnic Danes are descendants, i.e. were born in Denmark. The majority of descendants in Denmark are very young, as three out of four are under the age of 18. Statistical definition of immigrants, descendants and Danes A person is considered a Dane if at least one of the parents both is a Danish citizen and born in Denmark. Thus the person itself does not need to be a Danish citizen or to have been born in Denmark. If the person is not a Dane, he/she is considered: an immigrant if the person was born abroad a descendant if the person was born in Denmark. Definition of Western and non-western countries Western countries: EU Member States, the Nordic countries, other European countries (Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, the Vatican State), Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Non-Western countries: all other countries. Children of descendants (third generation) make up part of the statistics on Danes or descendants, depending on whether one of their parents is a Danish citizen. As of 1 January 2008 there were 8,331 children of descendants resident in Denmark. Of these, nine out of ten were under the age of 10 (Immigrants in Denmark 2008, Statistics Denmark 2007). 42

45 Figure 1: Net immigration among immigrants and descendants from Western and non-western countries from 2001 to ,000 Number of persons 15,000 10,000 5, Immigrants from Western countries Immigrants from non-western countries Source: Special analysis by Statistics Denmark. Note: The twelve new EU member countries are for all years defined as Western countries. Employment and education There has been a significant rise in the number of immigrants and descendants in employment in recent years. The employment frequency among year-old immigrants and descendants from non-western countries has risen from 46% in 2001 to 57% in 2008, corresponding to 54,000 more people in jobs (see also table 2). Between 2006 and 2008 alone, the employment frequency for immigrants and descendants from non-western countries rose from 50% to 57%. Such a large increase in just two years has not been recorded since statistics began in Only one in every two women with immigration background continues to be in employment, but here too we have seen a positive development. From 2001 to 2008 employment frequency rose from 38% to 51%. With regard to the education level, first generation immigrants cannot be expected to have the same level of education as natives. On the other hand, second-generation immigrants, i.e. young descendants born and raised in Denmark, have been expected to fare just as well in the education system as other young natives. This has not proved to be the case, which is why in recent years the ministry has intensified its efforts to raise the education level of young descendants to that of other young natives. These Table 1: Immigrants and descendants from the 15 major countries of origin as of 1 January Immigrants Descendants Total Share Turkey 31,834 26,357 58, % Germany 27,791 2,594 30, % Iraq 21,283 7,634 28, % Poland 24,383 2,815 27, % Lebanon 12,035 11,528 23, % Bosnia-Herzegovina 17,989 4,104 22, % Pakistan 10,827 9,053 19, % Yugoslavia1 12,878 6,412 19, % Somalia 10,231 6,458 16, % Norway 14,541 1,415 15, % Sweden 13,225 1,915 15, % Iran 11,904 2,992 14, % Vietnam 8,865 4,761 13, % The UK 11,757 1,229 12, % Afghanistan 9,717 2,470 12, % Others 162,511 32, , % Total 401, , , % Table 2: Employment frequency for yearold immigrants and descendants from non-western countries according to gender for 2001 and Men Women Total Immigrants and descendants 52 % 38 % 46 % Danes 82 % 75 % 78 % 2008 Immigrants and descendants 63 % 51 % 57 % Danes 82 % 77 % 79 % Source: Statistics Denmark (RAS1), the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs database UDD 6. Source: Statistics Bank (KRBEF3), Statistics Denmark. Note 1: People with Yugoslavia as their country of origin were given a residence permit in Denmark prior to the outbreak of civil war. 43

46 INTEGRATION IN FIGURES initiatives have been successful, as more and more young immigrants and descendants are embarking on an education. Among the year-old immigrants and descendants from non-western countries the percentage taking a programme of youth education rose from 42% in the school year 2001/2002 to 48% in the school year 2007/2008 (see table 3). Similarly, the number of year-old immigrants and descendants from non-western countries taking a higher education rose from 11% in 2001/2002 to 20% in 2007/2008. The fact that so many young people are taking an education is encouraging, but unfortunately a large number are also dropping out again. A survey from 2004 shows that as many as 60% of young immigrants fail to complete their vocational training. The government has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at combating this high drop-out rate. This is dealt with in greater detail under focus area 5. However, the general level of education among young immigrants and descendants rose from 2001 to As shown in table 4, the percentage of year-old descendants from non-western countries who have completed youth or higher education rose, continuing to approach the level of their native counterparts. Many, however, only have a primary and lower secondary school education. Young men in particular fail to progress through the education system. Settlement Since the introduction of the Integration Act, 22,000 new refugees have been placed in housing in the country s different municipalities under the three-year introduction programme. The aim is to prevent a build-up of concentrations of immigrants in the major cities, as was the case prior to the introduction of the act, and to ensure wider participation of municipalities in the integration effort. The settlement rules have had the desired effect. Today integration tasks are better distributed, with all municipalities participating. A large percentage of immigrant residents remain in the municipalities in which they were originally placed. This seems to suggest they have settled down in these local areas. A small percentage move due to employment in another municipality or to attend university, for example. Between 1999 and 2005 approximately 7% of residents in housing placements moved to another municipality under the three-year introduction programme, while the figure prior to 1999 was 17%. Figure 2 illustrates how immigrants and descendants from non-western and Western countries now settle in Denmark. Today immigrants and descendants from non- Western countries have taken up residence throughout Denmark with the largest concentration in the major cities. In contrast, immigrants and descendants from Western countries mainly reside in Southern Denmark and the Capital Region of Denmark. Denmark has a number of deprived residential areas with social problems spread around the country. A large percentage of the residents in these areas are immigrants. However, positive economic development coupled with a programme of intensive initiatives in recent years has meant that more residents from deprived residential areas have found lasting employment, providing these residential areas with a much-needed lift. The challenge now is to ensure that residents who have found employment remain in these residential areas and act as positive role models for other residents with social problems. Table 3: Percentage of young immigrants and descendants from non-western countries taking an education in the school years 2001/2002 and 2007/ /2002 Primary and lower secondary education Upper secondary education and vocational traning years years Total years 23 % 1 % 11 % 42 % 13 % 25 % Higher education 1 % 11 % 7 % Total % taking an education 66 % 26 % 43 % 2007/2008 Primary and lower secondary education Upper secondary education and vocational training 23 % 0 % 10 % 48 % 13 % 29 % Higher education 3 % 20 % 13 % Total % taking an education 74 % 34 % 51 % Source: The Ministry of Integration database in Statistics Denmark, UDD32. Table 4: Highest completed Danish education for year-old immigrants and descendants from non-western countries and Danes in 2001 and Primary and lower secondary education Upper secondary education and vocational traning Immigrants Descendants Danes 13 % 40 % 21 % 7 % 41 % 50 % Higher education 3 % 13 % 28 % Total Danish education 23 % 94 % 98 % 2008 Primary and lower secondary education Upper secondary education and vocational traning 18 % 37 % 19 % 14 % 38 % 49 % Higher education 9 % 20 % 32 % Total Danish education 41 % 95 % 99 % Source: The Ministry of Integration s Immigration database in Statistics Denmark, UDD22g and UDD4. 44

47 Figure 2: Immigrants and descendants from non-western (left) and Western (right) countries expressed as a % of municipal population as of 1 January 2008 Non-Western countries 0-2 % 2-4 % 4-6 % 6-29 % Non-Western countries 0-2 % 2-3 % 3-4 % 4-7 % Source: Statistics Denmark, the Ministry for Integration Affairs database, bef13. Marriage patterns In 2002 the 24-year-old rule for family reunification was introduced. The rule aims to ensure that young immigrants resident in Denmark receive an education before reunifying with a spouse from abroad. The development shows that the marriage patterns of immigrants have changed so that today fewer young immigrants living in Denmark marry someone resident in another country. In 2001, 61% of marriages were to a person residing abroad, while in 2008 the figure had fallen to only 31%. (see table 5). Similarly, the percentage marrying a person resident in Denmark rose. If we look at a number of objective factors such as employment, education, population settlement etc., we see that integration has been successful in Denmark. When we ask immigrants whether they feel integrated into Danish society, whether they have a lot of Danish friends and whether they feel they have equal opportunities to take part in Danish social life, the answers are generally positive. According to an independent Catinét survey an increasing number of immigrants feel integrated, more have native friends, fewer feel discriminated against and more speak Danish than ever before. Table 5: Percentage of immigrants and descendants from non-western countries married in 2001 and 2008 according to spouse s background. Men Women Total Spouse s background Resident abroad 1 68 % 40 % 52 % 22 % 61 % 31 % Immigrants 19 % 34 % 26 % 35 % 22 % 35 % Descendants 4 % 13 % 3 % 10 % 3 % 11 % Danes 9 % 13 % 19 % 33 % 13 % 23 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % Number Resident abroad 1 1, , ,004 1,278 Immigrants ,091 1,439 Descendants Danes Total 2,759 2,029 2,155 2,135 4,914 4,164 You can find more information on integration at Source: Special analysis by Statistics Denmark, Vielser4. Note 1: These people resided abroad at the time of marriage. 45

48 THE INTEGRATION DEPARTMENT THE INTEGRATION DEPARTMENT Integration Policy Division The Integration Policy Division is chiefly responsible for formulating overall integration policy and shaping integration legislation. The division is also charged with a number of legislative, developmental and operational tasks relating to Danish language courses for adults. Finally, in addition to functioning as the secretariat for the Council for Ethnic Minorities, the division deals with repatriation, ethnic equality and discrimination, deprived urban areas and socially vulnerable refugees and immigrants, and honour-based conflicts. Division of Employment and Training The Division of Employment and Training is responsible for integrating refugees and immigrants into the labour market and the education system, and also works to strengthen and broaden voluntary, local integration efforts. It is also responsible for the Integration Ministry s We Need All Youngsters campaign and the Integration Service consultancy unit. The campaign works towards ensuring that more young people with an immigrant background complete an education, while the consultancy unit advises municipalities on good integration practice. The division also provides initiatives and support for numerous projects aimed at developing a targeted integration effort, including the integration of immigrant women and voluntary initiatives. As part of this brief the division systematically monitors the overall integration effort, communicating good integration practice to municipalities, businesses, schools and other central bodies. Division for Cohesion and Prevention of Radicalisation Established on 1 April 2008, the Division for Cohesion and Prevention of Radicalisation aims to strengthen and coordinate initiatives against forces seeking to undermine integration. The division focuses on promoting cohesion and a common sense of citizenship among all citizens in Denmark, as well as seeking to combat extremism within the population. One of the division s main tasks is to establish itself as a knowledge centre focusing on citizenship and the prevention of radicalisation. In order to gain detailed insight into these issues the division gathers theoretical knowledge from national and international research bodies as well as practical hands-on knowledge through ongoing contact and dialogue with municipalities and relevant local players. The division processes and publicises this knowledge, thus contributing towards an exchange of experience on preventive measures. Finance and Analysis Division The Finance and Analysis Division monitors integration development using analyses, assessments and effect measurements. It publishes facts and figures about developments in the number of immigrants and descendants, their settlement, employment, education and marriage patterns etc. The division also publishes user surveys on immigrant satisfaction with the introduction programme, effect measurements of municipal integration efforts and of the Danish Education Law. In addition the division monitors and supports Danish and international research on integration. Finally, under the provisions of the Finance Act, the division is responsible for financing the threeyear introduction programme through the payment of subsidies and reimbursements to municipalities and for carrying out annual audits to ensure that municipalities comply with the provisions of the law. 46

49 Minister of Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech Permanent Secretary Claes Nilas The Minister s Secretary The Immigration Department Integration Policy Division The Administration Department The egovernment Department Head of Department Kim Lunding Head of Department Henrik Kyvsgaard Head of Department Henrik Ankerstjerne Head of Department Jannie Hilsbo Family Reunification Division Immigration Law Division Integration Policy Division The Section for Danish Courses The International Division The Secretariat Division The Communication Unit The IT Development Unit The IT Management Unit Division for Visa, Repatriation and Humanitarian Cases The Nationality Division The Secretariat of the Refugee Board Work Unit Division of Employment and Training Division for Cohesion and Prevention of Radicalisation Finance and Analysis Division The Control and Analysis Division The Service Centre The Budgetary Unit 47

50 PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS SINCE 2001 Government platform Growth, welfare, innovation (November 2001) A new immigration policy (January 2002) Towards a new integration policy (March 2002) (available in English) Status report on the government s integration and immigration policy (March 2003) The government s vision and strategies for improved integration (June 2003) (available in English) Action plan to promote Equal treatment and Diversity and Combat Racism (November 2003) (available in English) The Government s Action Plan for on forced, quasi-forced and arranged marriages (August 2003) (available in English) The government s strategy against ghettoisation (May 2004) A new chance for everyone (May 2005) (available in English) Employment, participation and equal opportunity for all the government s action plan to break down gender barriers in education and association activities among men and women of non-danish ethnic origin (December 2005). Agreement on future prosperity and welfare and future investment (June 2006) Agreement on future immigration (October 2007) A common and safe future proposal for an action plan to prevent extremism and radicalisation among young people (June 2008) (available in English) Government platform Society of Opportunities (November 2008) Action plan to prevent extremism and radicalization among young people (February 2009). Government platform New Objectives (February 2004) View more publications on the Ministry of Integration s website at 48

51 Published by the Ministry for Integration Affairs August 2009 ISBN no (electronic version) Design: Photo BGRAPHIC Michael Daugaard, Claus Peuckert, Anders Birch and Thomas Ibsen

52