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Ever wondered how local institutions could better support the inclusion of migrant communities? Or how to address issues that migrants face, such as different forms of discriminations or access to health care or education? Here’s how some cities are doing it …

In an increasingly cosmopolitan world, concerted efforts need to be made to ensure migrants are fully included in all aspects of life in receiving communities and can thrive.

A panel of the Global Forum on Migration and Development on “Cross-Sector Approaches for Local Actors on Migrants Inclusion”, on 25 January 2020, focused on challenges facing migrants and the various approaches to mitigate these challenges through local authorities. It was organized with support of a consortium of partners, including UNESCO and its .

Professor Shin from Gwangiu, lead city of the , spoke about the challenges in South Korea. Due to historical reasons and the shape of broader migratory trends in Asia, the share of migrant population is comparatively low in this country, around 5% overall. To improve their situation, Gwangju established a Human Rights City Ordinance in 2007 and a Human Rights Department in 2010. Human rights impact assessments are carried out since 2011, analysing the effect of various policies on both citizens and migrants, including through dialogue with migrant communities. In addition, at the national level, the legal system should be further strengthened drawing on successful approaches in other countries so as to adapt to the influx of migrants from Bangladesh in particular. The percentage of the national budget allotted for refugee aid could also be expanded.

Dr. Karin Konig from Vienna, member of the , explained that large migrant populations, particularly from eastern Europe, contribute to Vienna’s prosperity. However, migrant inclusion still remains an issue: recurrent challenges include participation in local elections, segregation of education, lower income employment opportunities, language barriers and discrimination within society, all of which have a greater effect on women and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a variety of projects underway in Vienna to improve migrant inclusion such as STAVIN, a program that targets women and youth to improve language skills and information access on life in Vienna; diversity monitoring; Department 17, which helps to facilitate access to healthcare and equal opportunity; and ensuring strong bonds between local and international authorities.

Other panellists included representatives of Istanbul in Turkey, Sahab in Jordan, Naga City in the Philippines, and various municipalities in Uganda. They presented various projects on employment infrastructure, access to resources such as water and education, language skills, and systems of financial relief for those struggling with lack of employment

A guidance document “” was launched.

UNESCO contributed a chapter entitled Mainstreaming human rights principles and standards in city agendas for the inclusion of migrants and refugees. It recommends

• adopting specific policy instruments and structures for inclusion,
• taking deliberate actions to ensure access to basic resources,
• ensuring meaningful participation of migrants on issues specific to them,
• providing comprehensive and integrated responses and multi-sectoral partnerships,
• providing specific training to public officials, and
• enhancing positive city narratives on the contribution of migrants in society, potentially via anti-discrimination campaigns.

These recommendations are drawn from examples provided by ICCAR member cities, notably from its European branch.

See also