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Panel Discussion: Integration Through Cultural Education

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In the light of current events regarding the refugee crisis and the huge immigration wave to Finland from all corners of the globe the question on integration is stronger than ever.

How to make the newcomers feel welcomed and that they belong to the Finnish community? How do these respective organizations see integration through culture and education? In other words, what does it mean to be integrated for each one of them? Is there a possibility to make everyone feel equal despite their country of origin, skin tone, mother tongue and religion? What role does education through culture of both children and adults play in this challenge? What are the issues in promoting interculturalism (multiculturalism) especially when it comes to integration?

The panelists are representatives of the public as well as the private sector. The fruitful discussion focused on integration through cultural education.

 

Panelists:

Ogechukwu Eneh, cultural producer from Caisa:

  • Mrs. Eneh is originally from Nigeria and came to Finland to study at the University of Helsinki approximately 30 years ago. She also worked at the University of Helsinki as a program manager for intercultural education.
  • Caisa is a multicultural center part of City of Helsinki Cultural Office which promotes development of cultural diversity and interaction between people in Helsinki through festivals, workshops, etc.

Margarita Sakilayan, project coordinator and project worker of Nicehearts of Vantaa:

  • Mrs. Sakilayan is originally from the Philippines and came to Finland around 10 years ago. She also has a master’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of Helsinki.
  • Nicehearts of Vantaa organizes various One current project called “Neighbourhood mothers” animates active immigrant women, who have been living in Finland for a long time already, educate and support other immigrant women in Finland.

Riitta Latvio, Project coordinator and executive director of Kulttuuri- ja uskontofoorumi FOKUS:

  • FOKUS builds bridges between cultures and religions via discussions, exhibitions, constructive dialogues, art and publications. Also, FOKUS promotes workshops during the World Interfaith Harmony Week, such as Islam and Fashion with the goal to educate children and teenager about the diversity of the Islam.

Eila Isotalus, Professional on intercultural competence development from Unidos:

  • Unidos supports customers when differences between cultures confuse or cause troubles, also supports people to benefit from cultural diversity. Unidos provides training and tools to understand multiculturality and to act smoothly in a multicultural environment.

 

Date and time: April 20th, 2016 at 10 AM in Think Corner Aleksi

If you are interested in watching our exciting panel discussion, check out the video on UniTube. 🙂

Place of Traineeship: International Organization for Migration (IOM) Helsinki

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ICE Student: Mariam Tokmazishvili

Place of Traineeship: International Organization for Migration (IOM) Helsinki

“I will assist in implementation of activities related Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) projects from Sweden and Finland. Under the supervision, I will support the project team in preparing voluntary returns and planning the reintegration of returnees, including coordination and communication with authority counterparts.

Tasks include:

  • To assist in all phase of the AVRR process, from application registration to return logistics;
  • Assist in compiling statistics for internal and external use;
  • Prepare background papers and analytical texts for internal and external use on topics related to AVRR\CT;
  • Communicate effectively and clearly and with cultural sensitivity with colleagues, clients and third parties;
  • Assist in project communications and outreach to migrants and return stakeholders in Finland or Sweden;
  • Assist in organizing project meetings and etc.

International organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. It counts 155 member states and each IOM office employs staff from various nationalities. Consequently, multicultural environment is an integral part of execution of IOM mandates. IOM Finland is just an example where majority of staff members are from different countries of origin. The core principles of IOM are based on effective communication, raising intercultural competence and sensitivity. Under the section of IOM standards of conduct, core values and guiding principles put emphasis on “promotion and practice of tolerance, understanding and respect for all, without distinction as to race, gender, religion, color, national, marital status, sexual orientation, age, physical disability or political conviction”. IOM names its employees international civil servants. Coming from that, one of fundamental requirements to be met by international civil servants is an international outlook.

IOM largely deals with migrants and work on everything related to this broader phenomenon that logically implies communication with people coming from all over the world. Being part of IOM team automatically equips with intercultural sensitivity, and teaches the best possible ways to get along with the people with diverse backgrounds.

Internship period at IOM will be a practical experience, namely specializing on migrants who are willing to return voluntarily to their homelands. IOM Finland currently implements four projects, thus I will be concerned how the on-going project-related activities are carried out. Furthermore, the central direction of IOM Finland`s mission is more project-oriented. For instance, making project proposals, creating project budget, scheduling project activities for the long term period, searching relevant donor organizations, promoting and successfully providing service whenever it is requested, broaden communication networks with governmental counterparts and elsewhere. All in all, I will carefully follow the steps related to designing project from very beginning (e.g. having a project idea) to more advance level (e.g. developing an idea and implementation phase).”