2011 Priorities National action plan for Integration and Against Discrimination ( )

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1 2011 Priorities National action plan for Integration and Against Discrimination ( )

2 1. Proposed strategy The Law of 16 December 2008 on the reception and integration of foreigners in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, hereafter the 'Law', points out that integration is a task that the State, the communes, and civil society should accomplish together. In accordance with this idea, the National Action Plan on Integration and Against Discrimination seeks to involve all the stakeholders in the integration process of foreigners in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Thus, the implementation of the Common Basic Principles, hereafter 'CBPs', must also meet the expectations of civil society. Moreover, the Government believes that rather than weakening each effort by deploying various resources for all the CBPs, it is preferable, in the first phase of the Action Plan, to focus on setting up effectively and long-lastingly some CBPs in particular. The remaining guiding principles will be the focus in following years, along with the evaluation of the CBPs set up during the first year of the Action Plan. Diversity and gender mainstreaming The fight against discrimination (that is, discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, age, disability, religion or beliefs, and sexual orientation) and the promotion of equality between men and women are cross-cutting issues that need to be taken into account in any integration action, whatever the field. Diversity and gender mainstreaming is not thematised as a separate Common Basic Principle, and therefore must be taken into account systematically, in all policies and activities, during the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation phases. The transversal approach and other National Action Plans: in particular, the Youth Action Plan In order to support the coherence of Government actions in relation to the different National Action Plans, the measures and objectives relating to foreign youth in the Youth Action Plan (2011), will be an integral part of the 2011 priorities of the National Action Plan for Integration and Against Discrimination. 2011: European Year of Volunteering - for the promotion of an active citizenship With the launch of the European Year of Volunteering, it is important to coordinate Government policy on the issue by including integration measures within the national strategy for the year. Thus in 2011 the Action Plan will present specific measures that meet the targets of the European Year of Volunteering and fit into different CBPs Priorities Given what has been previously mentioned, the Government believes that the following principles should be considered as priorities for the year CBP 1: A two-way process 'Integration is a dynamic, two-way process of mutual accommodation between all immigrants and residents of Member States. The integration process implies adaptation not only by foreigners, but also by the host society. It is crucial to take into account and associate both native and foreign-born residents and ensure that everyone's rights and responsibilities are well-established. Keeping in mind the idea of a two-way process involving all the stakeholders at all levels, this CBP is to be implemented as one of the National Action Plan's top priorities. This guiding principle sets the grounds for cooperation between all the actors involved in the integration process in order to reach the targets highlighted as priority measures in both the short and medium terms. It will be set up by involving all the interested parties in the private and public spheres to communicate clearly on the rights and responsibilities of each.

3 Objectives Examples of projects Project coordinator Provide training on diversity and intercultural skills to key actors of the administration, of Luxembourger and foreign collective organisations, and in the social, education, and youth sectors Create a pool of trainers in intercultural skills Raise public awareness on questions of integration and in the fight against discrimination Support migrant and namely migrant women's entrepreneurship Promote the employability of target groups Raise housing owners awareness to the importance of establishing harmonious intercultural relations Create an inclusive environment that respects diversity and human rights Diversity training of staff representatives namely through the Ecole Supérieure du Travail (EST / Higher School of Labour) Integrate the intercultural aspect in the vocational training of teaching staff Integrate diversity in education and training policies and actions Train and support parents of foreign students as regards their children's academic follow-up Raise awareness among school teachers on questions of disability Introduce target issues in a 'Youth Convention' organised by the Luxembourger Youth Council (CGJL) Non-discrimination during the recruitment process and at work Integration through work: the importance of professional inclusion, of training, and vocational reorientation Organise a series of conferences Raise awareness among immigrant companies on the available aid and among support services on the contribution these companies can bring to our economy Increase the offer for language and computer courses Improve neighbourhood relationships (Neighbourhood parties ) Create opportunities for exchange Promote diversity through and with the media / raise awareness among journalists Ministry of Family and Integration Ministry of Labour and Employment Ministry of Labour and Employment Ministry of the Middle Classes / Ministry of Equal Opportunities Ministry of Housing

4 CBP 4: Basic knowledge of the languages, history, and institutions of the host country 'Basic Knowledge of the languages, history, and institutions of the host country are indispensable to integration; enabling immigrants to acquire this knowledge is a guarantee of their successful integration' As reception is one of the four fields of action defined by the Law, CBP 4 is one of the priorities of Moreover, the creation and implementation of the Welcome and Integration Contract (CAI) that offers language and citizenship training courses is a major tool in the integration policy. Objectives Examples of projects Project coordinator Set up / disseminate information, guidance, and support tools for foreigners Create and implement the Welcome and Integration Contract (CAI) Promote literacy Promote Luxembourgish and French Provide newcomers with information on health and the health system Disseminate the model for the welcome guide created by the ASTI, the SYVICOL, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Greater Region, and dealing with issues relating to administration, daily life, and the school system Information brochure for foreign youth (similar to "Gudd drop", including useful information for young people) State of play on the access to housing: 'Study on the access to housing' Language course Orientation Day Raise awareness on and offer literacy courses for adults Create a teaching method for Luxembourgish as a foreign language specifically for adolescents Language leave Set up grants for the enhancement of foreigners' integration through the learning of Luxembourgish Organise information sessions by a doctor in charge of the medical check-up of foreigners Ministry of Home Affairs and the Greater Region / Training National Youth Service Ministry of Housing Training / Training Training Ministry of Health

5 CBP 7: Intercultural dialogue 'A mechanism of frequent interaction between immigrants and nationals of Member States is essential. Sharing space for discussion, intercultural dialogue, and education in order to better know immigrants and their cultures, as well as improved living conditions in urban settings all partake in reinforcing the interaction between immigrants and nationals of Member States.' In order to stimulate intercultural dialogue, we must create frequent and effective opportunities for contact between all the actors involved in the integration process. This will raise awareness on integration matters in an ideal manner. Intercultural dialogue must be made a priority in that it contributes greatly to the capacity building of all the actors involved, both in the public and private spheres. Indeed, 'successful dialogue platforms lead to the formation of working relationships between the participants developing joint public activities, partnerships, and new ongoing consultation mechanisms.' 1 Objectives Examples of projects Project coordinator Promote foreigners' access to cultural activities Facilitate communication between native and foreignborn residents Improve knowledge of the host society Financial consolidation of the 'Culture pass' Create and publish a large Luxembourgish dictionary in five languages Intercultural interpretations Initiate the dialogue between native and foreign organisations through an intercultural mediator. Offer methodological support during the design and creation of intercultural projects within the framework of services and organisations for the elderly Master's degree in Luxembourger studies Translate Luxembourger works of literature Ministry of Family and Integration in partnership with and under the aegis of the MESR) / Ministry of Higher Education / University of Luxembourg Stimulate intercultural dialogue Promote arenas for discussion Train and support organisations in the creation and execution of projects on diversity and intergration Encourage sponsorship initiatives Open Luxembourger leisure organisations to foreigners Set up training and accompanying measures for umbrella organisations Develop the concept of local ambassador and of intercultural volunteering on the local and national levels Set up a think tank, launch awareness raising campaigns, promote local partnerships in partnership with the, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Greater Region and the Ministry of Sports 1 Handbook on Integration for policy makers and practitioners, 3rd edition, Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security, European Commission, 2010, p. 80.

6 Implement actions in favour of the participation of immigrants in music clubs In partnership with youth clubs, launch a discussion on an effective strategy to address the question of integration / non-discrimination of foreign youth in leisure associations National Youth Service CBP 9: Political participation 'The participation of immigrants in the democratic process and in the development of integration policies and measures, in particular at the local level, works in favour of their integration' The political participation of foreigners is a key element of the plan. Initiatives in favour of active citizenship and citizenship training encourage the exercise of foreigners' political and civil rights and obligations. Objectives Examples of projects Project coordinator Promote citizenship and the political/social participation of foreigners Raise policy-makers' awareness on the issue of integration Support national initiatives in the fight against discrimination Expand democratic participation: broaden the right to vote to non-eu nationals at communal elections; abolish the condition of nationality for the position of mayor and alderman Enrolment campaign of foreigners for the communal elections of 9 October 2011 Promote an explicit integration and anti-discrimination policy at the communal level Start a think-tank with the Employees' Chamber on the rate of general participation in social elections Launch an information and awareness-raising campaign for the general public and more specialised stakeholders Ministry of Home Affairs and the Greater Region Ministry of Home Affairs and the Greater Region / Ministry of Labour and Employment

2012 Priorities National action plan for Integration and Against Discrimination ( )

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