euchMediation in the intercultural city: rationale, realities and challenges

«Enhancing the Skills and Identity of Cultural Mediators in a multicultural Europe», Patras, 8-9 January 2014

Intercultural mediation in cities

rationale

INTEGRATION POLICY MATRIXEconomic rights

Civil & social rights

Cultural rights

Community building & cohesion

Guest worker v

Assimilation v v

Multiculturalism v v v

Interculturalism v v v v

Types of mediation

MIGRANTAS

The Intercultural Integration approachconsiders diversity as an opportunity and migrants as a resource

Intercultural policy

Intercultural policy

Intercultural Cities IndexContent and Composition

Area Subjects No. of indicators

Commitment Public statement, city strategy, city action plan, budget, communication (speeches, webpage)

9

Intercultural lens Education system, residential neighbourhoods, public services,business and labour market, cultural and civil life, public space

30

Mediation and conflict resolution

Professional service for mediation, sort of mediationorganisation inter-religious relations

3

Language Cities’ provision of language courses; financial support, image of migrant languages

3

Relations with the local media

Positive image, city’s information service, support for journalists with minority background, city monitor

4

Open and international outlook

Policy for international co-operation,financial provision, agency, students & city life, economic relations with countries of origin of its migrant groups

6

Intelligence and competence

Information, surveys, intercultural competence of its officials

3

Welcoming new arrivals Agency, city-specific package, different groups, public ceremony to greet newcomers

4

Governance and leadership

Right to vote, elected politicians and voters representing minorities, representing minorities schools and public services

4Source: ICC-questionnaires, BAKBASEL.

Comparison of city samples with more/less than 200’000 inhabitants

Note: Scores: best value = 100.Source: ICC-questionnaires, CoE 2009-2012.

0

25

50

75

100Commitment

Intercultural lens

Mediation

Language

MediaInternational outlook

Intelligence/Competence

Welcoming

Governance

Less 200'000 pop. More 200'000 pop.

Comparison of city samples with more/less than 15% foreign-borns

Note: Scores: best value = 100. City sample with more/less than 15% foreign-borns/non-nationalsSource: ICC-questionnaires, CoE 2009-2012.

0

25

50

75

100Commitment

Intercultural lens

Mediation

Language

MediaInternational outlook

Intelligence/Competence

Welcoming

Governance

More 15% Less 15%

CHALLENGES FOR INTERCULTURAL MEDIATION

• Avoid essentialism and cultural relativism

• Orient mediation towards empowerent

• Clear legal, political and financial framework

• Mainstream intercultural skills

Can intercultural mediationhelp realise the diversity advantge?