Working paper on propositions offered at Open Forum “Shared Future” on April 5th 2013 in Tallinn INTRODUCTION Open Forum “Shared Future” took place in Tallinn on April the 5th 2013. 18 citizens of non-EU countries or holders of unspecified citizenship took part in the seminar. Ms Hille Hinsberg from Praxis Center for Policy Studies moderated the seminar, group discussions were moderated by Ms Tea Tammistu, Ms Dina Prant, Mr Ivan Lavrentjev and Ms Julia Tomberg, Ms Darya Pastak performed as a citizen observer of the event. Ms Valentina Batueva from the Praxis Center for Policy Studies was responsible for the organizational part of the event, Ms Maiu Uus from the Praxis Center for Policy Studies prepared the informational materials and made introductions to discussion. Discussion was held on four different topic areas. Two topics: “Labour market” and “Education” were chosen by the organisers of the event and those topics are discussed at all six Open Forum events. Two additional topics were chosen by the participants themselves, based on the results of the survey which the pre-registered participants took before the event. These two focus areas were “Public services and access to information” and “Cultural diversity”. Below you will find the comments of the participants to those four topics, including what has been done in those fields so far as well as suggestions for future actions. The comments and suggestions are divided by the topics. When making a suggestion the participants were asked to specify the target group for each action as well as who should be responsible for implementation of the proposed action or decisions. This report is a working paper report of the feedback and suggestions gathered during one of the six discussions held in Estonia. The authors of the integration programme will be given the final report, which will be ready by the beginning of June and which will include the suggestions made in the course of all the six discussion as well as additions by the analysts of Praxis and IBS.
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013
1.
LABOUR MARKET
Feedback for what has been done so far. • Difficulty with permits: o you have to have a job in order to get a living permit o difficult to get working permit: need to apply for it abroad, cannot do that while already in Estonia o inconsistency of living and working permit policy, lot of changes, hard to keep up. o Too long residence permit period -> to develop a sense of belonging o Estonian language is a barrier, but should not be, could be an option of choice for B1. • People shouldn’t feel like a burden, but the policy and detailed demands make them feel like that. • Not enough workplaces • Not enough English-based Estonian language courses, no free of charge options like for Russian-speakers. Right now English-speaking people need to go to Russian-Estonian courses. • People are being controlled too much and too often. • Near to impossible to get a third country worker for a company because of the numerus clausus of just over 530 residence permits issued each year. • There are companies which do research and development, that have to train their people in all facets of its operations. In Germany there are training programs 3 - 6 months long for apprenticeships aimed at 3rd country applicants – for companies it is far better way for training workers specific skills, focusing on university programmes for example internship for students in not sufficient. Allowing workers to work in Estonia companies from non-EU countries for 3 to 6 months for an apprenticeship does not seem possible, and that is a loss for both the workers and the companies who need highly motivated workers at least for a limited time. With the continuing loss of qualified workers who leave Estonia the problem is acute. Problems and solutions: what should be done? At the discussion participants were mainly looking solutions for following problems: • the unequal opportunities in the labour market. Although there is very little or almost no statistics about the discrimination in the labour market to be presented, the problem needs to be further elaborated during the discussion. However, according to the monitoring survey, immigrants have not encountered prejudice from employers, and human resources managers as well as consultants for unemployed people confirmed this. Recently arrived immigrants did not refer to any kind of instances of discrimination in Estonia. • sufficient availability of Estonian language courses. This problem was equally important for the Russian-speaking respondents from Tallinn and Ida-Virumaa. • the lack of proper career counselling for young people.
What? 1. Need to reduce paperwork. When you come to Estonia to look for job, the officials
Target group?
Who is responsible? The state
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 tell you need a work permit. Then if you want to apply for work permit, they tell you need a job. 2. Facilitate the process of prolonging the Non-EU citizens living permit (also job and study permit) +++++++++
The state
3. Give information to the people about Non-Estonian speakers Police and Border possibilities (resources and support Guard Board (PPA) services, e.g courses, Estonian language materials, webpage etc) and about where to get more specific information. Create one immigration website. ++++ 4. Language courses (English-based) internet +++ 5. (much like www.efant.ee)
on
Government private sector
and
6. Provide Estonian language courses for Non-Estonian speakers The state English speakers ++ 7. Review the double citizenship law +
Non-EU citizens
Ministry Affairs
of
Internal
8. To reduce the paperwork when marrying non-Estonian citizens an Estonian citizen.
The state
9. Learning the Estonian language is more a Non-EU citizens choice rather than an obligation. Soften the language policies: eliminate B1 as a gatekeeper for getting the long-term livingpermit, for residency. (B1 level is ok for when applying Estonian citizenship)
The state, Ministry of Internal Affairs
10.
Government
Tutoring system
11. Develop a better environment for Non-EU citizens people to feel they are needed. Develop a better assimilation strategy.
The state
12. Create more workplaces, motivate Everyone the local industries (farming, factories)
Ministry Affairs
13. Create better career counselling Everyone services for immigrants, make the system more open.
The state
14. Improve the Estonian language courses, make them more practical
Government
15.
Government and private sector
Textbooks based on English
of
Internal
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013
2. EDUCATION Feedback for what has been done so far. • Officials and those responsible for implementing different programs and courses don’t reach third country citizens. • College, university – good support, but not community, language (has to be ready to receive). A lot is done by Universities, but not enough information on social issues eg where to buy food, about neighbourhood etc (lacking support services and –info) BUT Universities have different target/goal than the society as a whole. • On language: o Estonian is not a perspective language to learn o language courses not well organized, not effective o local internship (for students) would support language skills • No clarification as to how to apply for a scholarship in Estonia. • No guiding as to where to find information – since local people know most things, they think every information piece is clear and there, but it’s not when looking from foreigners’ perspective. • Not enough money in support system for third country nationals, but for all foreigners • Lack of coordination – seems it’s chaotic even for locals. • There have been videos made about ethnic minorities in Estonia and sent to schools. But the teachers don’t use them at class.
Problems and solutions: what should be done? At the discussion participants were mainly looking solutions for following problems: • the lack of support services for newly arrived immigrants in the education system. Estonian Ministry of Education and Research has prepared information material to parents of children with immigrant background; the respondents feel the need for more help in the area of education. • the lack of adequate insight into equal treatment and tolerance issues at school • the unequal opportunities for people with other nationalities to receive higher education What?
Target group?
Who is responsible?
16.Lack of bilateral respect and tolerance: additional education +++++
Estonian and Russianspeaking community
Ministry of Education, media, local authorities, families
17.Opportunities for work after finishing studies ++
(immigrant-) MA graduates
State
18.Budgeting language classes – especially for English speakers. Many more hours of studies and more continuous strategy of educating with different courses. ++
People planning to stay Ministry Of Education, long-term, those who Ministry Of Internal Estonia is interested in Affairs keeping here
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 19.Prolong study permit after studies (half a year) +++ 20.To give students a chance to find a job in Estonia. If they cannot do that, then they can leave. It would also be a way for people studying in Estonia to give back to local community.
Study permit students
Ministry Of Internal Affairs
21.Contact with people outside Tallinn: Estonians and newly programmes in which ordinary arrived immigrants countryside people are involved – much both together like Estonian language camps and familystay programmes for Russians in Estonia. + 22.This would bring the outside world to countryside Estonia and help the causes of getting to know other cultures. For immigrants it would help to study Estonian and get to know locals.
Local authorities + Ministry of Culture, MISA
23.Providing social and support systems for Study permit students foreign students in cooperation with universities. Integrating students into society and that they would want to stay should be the goal for the university (also). Universities and ministries need to come up with a unified goal for foreign students. 24.Universities get to know very well the people who would have an important role in Estonian society. 25.Universities do a great job explaining what courses to take and how, but not as much with other social issues: e.g. where to go to extend your residence permit; which are the internet sites to help you find answers. This will need more funding for non-academic positions at Universities.
Universities Ministry Of Education Ministry Of Internal Affairs
26.New immigrants and third country New immigrants and nationals should be treated as similarly as third country nationals possible to EU-citizens. When implementing EU directives find ways for getting and prolonging living permit to be more flexible. + 5
Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 27.Free Estonian lessons for new immigrants Newly arrived foreign and facilitation of contacts with Estonians people outside classes
Ministry of Culture
28.Train kindergarten and school teachers on Teachers, children, multiculturalism and cultural diversity. parents 29.To speak about it in class, to implement education on diversity, to think about the use of diversity and it’s role in Estonia. This needs a broader strategy, to involve also the parents and broader public.
Ministry of Education
30.Tutor programme expand to social sphere Those on study permit and be more proactive, be more into social integration
Universities + immigration office = joint effort
31.Programme managers to collaborate with (those on study permit) University + private companies to offer (more) community + industry, Programme managers, internship, to get local work experience Ministry Of Education companies and connections. Internship could be a part of advanced academic social support system. 32.Higher financing for support system
New migrants in education system
Ministry Of Education
33.Higher coordination between universities and private sector plus governmental sector
Study permit students
Ministry Of Education
34.Change study permit conditions to allow for it to be a work permit equally. So that students could work here aswell. That would help them to integrate more easily into Estonian society.
Study permit students
Ministry Of Internal Affairs Ministry Of Internal Affairs
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013
3.
PUBLIC SERVICES AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION
When talking about the issues of labour market and working in Estonia, an opinion was voiced, that these topics actually were not that important. Most problems instead are connected to how welcome Estonia is making the third country nationals feel and how comfortable it is to live here. Therefore, most important overall seemed to be the issues of bureaucracy, the quality of services and access to information. Feedback for what has been done so far. •
English translations on Government websites are incomplete, lot of information missing.
•
The staff of immigration offices is not aware of all information and recent changes. Also the language skills are quite low. For example in Tartu the waiting line for the only one official speaking English might be 2 hours. Also the consulates of Estonia in other countries do not know enough about procedures of applying for work-, study- or residence permit to help – this has created much confusion and delays in service. The services of Migration Offices have improved in that they send notifications, e.g. when the deadline for prolonging living-permit is near. But those letter are in Estonian and important information may not be understandable for a foreigner.
•
•
At the discussion it turned out that people were not informed about the website www.eesti.ee . It offers information to citizens, entrepreneurs, and officials – so this group of foreigners living in Estonia does not get relevant information from that website.
•
Little to none knowledge of different information hotlines (e.g. Tallinn municipality 1345)
•
There are problems with the medical system: not enough English-speaking specialists available and no possibility to change the family-doctor (perearst). For example the IdaTallinna Keskhaigla information hotline does not provide information in english.
•
Paying taxes in Estonia difficult, because not clear what one must do and could do
•
(Mass-)media is ok.
Problems and solutions: what should be done? One of the goals of Estonian integration policy has been that people living in Estonia, no matter their cultural background and mother tongue, are engaged into shared field of information. However, more attention has been put on the availability of Russian information, than English. The results of integration monitor 2011 show, however, that new immigrants’ daily information is mostly acquired from international information channels or channels speaking their own mother tongue. At the discussion participants were mainly looking solutions for following problems: • A lack of information and access to public services to be the problem in Estonia. • Specifically little information in English about the public services at the local level. • The provision of information by the government and its agencies (e.g. Unemployment office) What? 35.Immigration offices staff needs to be trained better, provided with updated information (in general) and tested on
Target group?
Who is responsible? Public service
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 language skills. + 36.Due to overall lack of basic information: “Welcome package” when you get a permit (living, working, studying – whichever is first)+
New immigrants
Police and Border Guard Board (PPA)
37.One website in English (info about services, laws, etc) & mailing list
English speaking residents
Ministry of Culture, people (officials) who can add relevant information
38.More translators to translate the local government information into English
English speaking residents
Local governments
39.Translating (adding subtitles) to some of ERR programs (e.g. AK, Ringvaade, Terevisioon) into English and putting those online.
English speaking residents, Estonians (improves their English)
Government,
40.There should be more information outside and about the different migration offices. There are too many with different functions and it is difficult to figure out, where third country nationals should go.
English-speaking nonEU citizens
Police and Border Guard Board (PPA)
It is important that the site be in English that is proper and therefore understandable to non-Estonian speakers. Unfortunately that is the issue with many Estonian sites featuring English- the language at best gives the impression of an uneducated nation, at worst is incomprehensible. For an example, see Tallinn.ee in English.
Ministry of Culture
41.Minimal 2-3 persons in a public service office should speak English.
Local government, state offices
42.When sending notifications and informational letter, they need to be in English. Ask the preferred language of communication of person applying for permit for the first time.
Local government, state offices
43.There’s a need for information - a Immigrant residents “welcome packet” - on how medical system and aid works in Estonia; unified webpage for medical info.
Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 44.The information number 1900 (AS IdaTallinna Keskhaigla) should be free of charge and possibility to speak in English.
Hospitals
45.To keep young doctors in Estonia Estonian doctor (because they speak English), the loan is students forgiven by Estonian government + study programme should be paid
Ministry of Social affairs
Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education
46.To solve the problem of no specific information on legal questions, there should be lawyers that specialize in immigration issues, or a hotline, a website (info of them to be included in the “welcome packet�) 47.Bureaucracy of insurance should be eased; health insurance only recognised in Estonia. Should be more possibilities and options
Ministry of social affairs, insurance companies, immigrations office
48.The immigration policy is worked out Russian minority, new based on the fear of the neighbouring immigrants Russia, but it influences the possibilities Politicians for new immigrants. Need to get used to the idea that Russians are your neighbours and this will help welcome other nationalities.
State policy
49.Employers to help with language courses and information in general.
Employers, private sector
50.The public sector can use volunteers just as much as the non-profit sector. Creating a volunteer program for English-based language instruction and another one for general support navigating the system could accomplish two things: 1. Supplements the language courses. The courses are often structured in a way that missing a class or two means falling behind for the entire course. Outside private instruction support (it can happen in groups also) helps bridge such gaps. 2. Creates a stronger tie between the 9
Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 government and citizens. Even if such people do not go on to become public officials well educated in issues on the ground, it helps to minimize the cleavage between the government and the people, which is something of a hot issue in Estonia right now (think Rahvakogu).
4. CULTURAL DIVERSITY Feedback for what has been done so far. • There is a lack of intercultural dialogue. So measures taken to resolve this have not been efficient and enough. • There is a lack of vision and goal: what is culturally diverse Estonia? • Fear of losing Estonian identity and culture is hindering development. Problems and solutions: what should be done? At the discussion participants were mainly looking solutions for following problems: • Lack of vision for the development of cultural diversity • The low level of intercultural dialogue • The low tolerance of cultural and ethnic diversity in Estonian society. What?
Target group?
Who is responsible?
51. Join programmes and activities for Everyone different ethnic groups; joint discussions on similar grand topics as in Open Forum; TV programmes
Media, Ministry Of Education
52. Encourage multicultural education at all Everyone levels of education system.
Ministry Of Education
53. Joint events and projects, public and Everyone; young free and accessible for everyone. To get people to know other cultures.
NGOs student organisations
54. Since there’s a lack of positive image of Especially countryside foreigners to change that create people communication services, campaigns with positive messages and examples.
Media, NGOs, volunteers
55. More information on Estonian culture to New immigrants be provided for new immigrants
Ministry of Internal Affairs and PPA,
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 Ministry of Culture 56. Immigrant’s don’t want to stay here: Immigrant population creating (web-)platforms
Several ministries
57. To overcome the problems with history Everyone and the past: teach conflict resolution
Ministry Of Education
58. Organise open joint discussions, school Everyone, Students, programmes -> Building an impartial adults view on history without biased interpretations, to move on together
Ministry Of Education, ERR, academics, NGOs
59. Restrict the usage of term “tolerance” in Everyone the strategy and instead use the term “respect” which inhibits more equality.
Ministry of Culture, those writing up the strategy
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013
REPORT OF A CITIZEN RAPPORTEUR All the six discussions were monitored by an indipendent and neutral observer – a citizen rapporteur. The goal of implementing this role was to make sure that the discussions were indeed reflecting the true opinions of the participants and that they were given proper materials and information, as well as to evaluate the overall atmosphere of the event. In general the rapporteur was present throughout the whole event, to follow the discussions, evaluate the informational materials and the introduction, the work of the organisers, moderators as well as the openness of the discussion itself. Report of a citizen rapporteur Darya Pastak on the work of an Open Forum held in Tallinn on April 5th 05.04.2013 Discussion club "Shared future" was held. It united 18 English-speaking thirdcountry nationals living in Estonia on permanent basis. The participants were divided into 4 groups guided by 1 moderator each. The whole discussion process was moderated by Praxis representatives and monitored by an independent observer. The citizen rapporteur gives the overview of the materials/logistics/preparatory work, of the discussion flow itself, of moderators' work and adds some personal comments/suggestions. • Materials/logistics/preparatory work The preparatory work for the discussion club was well-done: preliminary surveys with the most important questions in integration process were sent to each of the future participants to figure out and set up the scope. The participants were given the discussion materials via emails in advance. At the meeting everyone had a folder with print-outs including short introductory into The Strategy and Social Cohesion in Estonia "Lõimuv Eesti 2020", the feedback leaf and www.integratsioon.ee web-page ad. There were no lack in pens and sheets of paper for graphs as well. The organisers used PowerPoint presentation for illustration. The numbers and graphs were given to add clarity. The whole schedule of the discussion seemed logical and well-prepared. The welcome coffee with fruit and cookies added energy and helped to make the atmosphere friendly and relaxed. The lunch was delivered in right time and was tasty. Generally time-management of the venue was well-done. Comment: It would give the materials additional value if they were prepared in slide-mode and in colour. The sheets of papers for presentations of the suggestions would better be lined in 3 columns: 1.What and which way.2. Target group. 3.Who., so that it would discipline better the participants and would make the following results analysis easier. • Discussion Itself
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Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 The introduction made by Hille was clear, the goal of the meeting was well-pronounced, the task-precise. The introductory information was understandable enough. Hille showed a good sense of humour. Comment: few more words should be said about "Lõimuv Eesti 2020" to explain better where the discussion results would go. Plus, it should be explained to the participants the source the data and numbers presented since there was such question from the audience. Discussion itself was open, independent, lively. Everybody had its say. The general atmosphere was friendly, dynamic, productive. The reports were brilliant, the participants were perfect speech-makers. • Moderators’ Work Julia's group: being experienced, Julia moderated very well, wrote down all the ideas, asked direct questions, lead the work flow, monitored time. Her group produced the best report tables. Ivan's group: Ivan had a strategy of a moderator-fellow, he was a silent attentive listener. Dina's group: Dina was at the beginning only listening, then writing down, generally she explained the work process well. Tea's group: a good moderator who was actively participating in the discussion, asked questions, asked for solutions, the most joyful group of bright individuals. Comment: as it often happens at 3 out of 4 tables there were participants who preferred listening, but not speaking-up. Moderators should pay attention to this and encourage the silent group members to speak up. • Conclusion Well-organized and well-done discussion, where about 20 English-speaking third-country nationals had a good opportunity to express their ideas regarding improvement of integration process in Estonia. A number of good ideas and exact solutions were pronounced and there is strong hope that they will be carefully analysed and taken into consideration while compiling the new integration strategy programme "Lõimuv Eesti 2020"
COMMENTS FROM GROUP MODERATORS Tea Tammistu, a group moderator at Open Forum held in Tallinn on April 5th During the Open Forum for the non-EU citizens that took place on April the 5th 2013 in Tallinn Central library I was a moderator at the table of so to say old immigrants: by chance all the participants at my table had been living in Estonia for at least seven years. Geographically this group was quite homogenous as well – four of the five participants were from the USA and one from Brazil. Lately my work in Integration and Migration Foundation “Our People” has been tightly connected with the life of the new immigrants in Estonia, and the discussion with the so called old immigrants was highly informative for me. In the course of the group discussion I found out 13
Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 about the problems of the latter that I was not really aware of till now, and most importantly – I hadn’t even thought about them. The reason for that was my false belief that this specific target group must have adapted to the local life, which is to say – essentially integrated into the society. To describe the challenges of this group in short – their main problem is the informational vacuum caused by the fact that they don’t speak Estonian language. The participants were saying, that any kind of information reaches them by chance and mostly through their acquaintances, and thus what they are lacking the most is a trustworthy English language informational channel. They would like to get the information about both the laws and requirements aimed at them (for example on changing the driver’s license or registering to become a town citizen) and about the services offered to them (for example free Estonian language courses) as well as about the events that take place in Estonia (for example Kärdla Cafés' Day). The group was convinced that as long as there is no such channel for them to feel they are truly members of society it is vital that they learn Estonian language. The group also mentioned the lack of the possibilities to study Estonian language for free as well as disadvantages in prolonging the residence permit, the more detailed overview of that together with the solutions offered can be seen in the report which is being drawn up by Praxis Center for Policy Studies. I am glad that the citizens of the third countries are engaged in the drafting process of the integration programme. I liked the format of the event, which gave the target group the possibility to make itself heard as well as to offer very specific solutions for its’ own problems. The event reminded me once again that we have many immigrants with different profiles and necessities who should be considered when drafting the new programme. At the same time I regret that the immigrants from the other member-states of the European Union were left out, since they have similar problems as the third countries citizens. Unfortunately due to the financing system of the integration actions heretofore, there has been very little support for actions enabling quick adaptation.
Ivan Lavrentjev, a group moderator at Open Forum held in Tallinn on April 5th I found that there was a big difference between the Open Forum events in Russian and in English: the latter was significantly more effective. The participants were very constructive and were capable of sharing their thoughts and ideas clearly and compellingly. It is also worth noting that the participants had very different background, yet the discussion played out well.
Julia Tomberg, a group moderator at Open Forum held in Tallinn on April 5th I believe the best words to describe the Open Forum event would be “constructive and focused”. The participants in most part were very active and – what I found to be the most surprising part of the event – they all seemed to click with each other immediately despite coming from different countries and different backgrounds, which allowed for a very good, goal-oriented, energetic discussion, that demonstrated that wherever people come from – be it the USA, Israel, Nigeria, Columbia or Kyrgyzstan – the problems they are facing in Estonia are essentially the same. 14
Background information for the Open Forum. Tallinn, April 5th 2013 It is also worth noting that the amount of participants of the event and therefore the amount of participants in the group that I was moderating was optimal, it gave every person enough time to speak their mind, draw attention to the problems that they found especially urgent, speak up if they disagreed with something and ask questions.
Dina Prant, a group moderator at Open Forum held in Tallinn on April 5th This discussion forum left a strong impression that there is a lot to be done. For absolute majority of participants it is not their first year spent in Estonia, so people knew exact issues that needed to be addressed. Repeatedly they outlined the necessity to build a more welcoming environment towards non-EU immigrants, including minimizing paperwork and offering English-based Estonian language courses.
The project is implemented by non-political organizations Praxis Center for Policy Studies and Institute of Baltic Studies. Contact and more information: Maiu Uus Maiu.uus@praxis.ee 640 8006 The project is supported by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, Ministry of Culture and the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People (MISA).
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