Working paper on propositions offered at Open Forum “Shared Future” on March 28th 2013 in Tartu INTRODUCTION Open Forum "Shared Future" was held in Tartu on March 28th, where 15 participants in total from 11 different countries had a discussion over different topics related with their everyday life in Estonia. Ms Kristina Kallas from the Institute of Baltic Studies moderated the discussion, citizen's reporter was Ms Annika Murov from the University of Tartu, information material was prepared by Ms Kristina Kallas and Mr Kristjan Kaldur, organisational issues were managed by Ms Kaarin Plaan, also from the Institute of Baltic Studies. Discussion was held on four different topic areas. Two topics: 'Labour market' and 'Education' were chosen by the organisers of the event. Two additional topics were chosen by the participants themselves based on the results of the survey which the participants took before the event. These two focus areas were 'Public services and access to information' and 'Cultural diversity'. Participants of the discussion groups were asked the following questions: 1. Evaluate the actions that have been done so far (identify the problem) 2. Suggestions on how to solve the problem (what needs to be done?): - How and what to do to solve the problem? - Who is the target group that the problem affects the most? 3. Who should be the main body responsible for the implementation of the proposed action / decision? After all groups presented their work, participants were asked to „vote“ the best suggestions. Suggestions are categorized according to the groups. In the table, the number in brackets [..] indicates the amount of „votes“ received from participants. Below you can find the preliminary results from all the round table discussions held during the event. This report is a working version of the feedback and suggestions gathered during one of the six discussions held in Estonia. The final report will be given to the authors of the integration programme by the beginning of June and it will include the suggestions made in the course of all the six discussion as well as additions by the analysts of Praxis and IBS. 1
1.
LABOUR MARKET 1. Evaluation of the actions that have been done so far (identifying the problem) The main problems discussed were: - Lacking career counselling for young people - Unequal employment opportunities for people from different nationalities - Information about demands or necessities of labour market is not available or is hard to find 2. Following suggestions were named: - Closer cooperation between career counselling and educational institutions; one-on-one career consultancy; IT training should be offered - More cooperation/interaction between different stakeholders: educational institutions and companies; Töötukassa should be connected with Tartu Teaduspark (Tartu Science park) and other NGOs with Loomemajandus Keskus (Centre for Creative Industries) - Companies should adopt a liberal and global perspective; introduce multiculturalism in companies - Estonia should set priorities for labour force - There should be government incentives schemes that embrace diversity; A multimedia campaign promoting interracial tolerance and acceptance should be launched; introduce multiculturalism in government agencies, showing the advantages; cities could invest more energy into engaging immigrant into business; - International students should be considered as a ‘return on investments’ - Educational institutions should be considered as starting points for equal treatment activities - More consulting services should be offered to help prepare CVs and get re-training from Töötukassa (Unemployment Insurance Fund) - Language issues: Business courses, various trainings should also be offered in English not only in Estonian, more services in English needed; availability of information in English should be improved; - NGOs working with unemployed people should be trained on how to deal with immigrants (existing networks and ideas should be used) - Create forums for city and university; - Immigration process should be simplified – after 5 years of employment permanent residence permits should be offered.
Here are groups’ answers (problems and solutions): Problem & solution
Target group
Who should implement it?
Problem: Lacking career counselling for young people
Businesses and companies
Universities
Suggestions:
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
1. career counselling personnel should be working in educational institutions 2. more cooperation/interaction between 2
educational institutions and companies 3. companies should adopt a liberal and global perspective [1 vote] 4. directions towards nation’s needs should be set (Estonia, as a country, should made available some guidelines or information about what the current direction of the labour market in Estonia is going. For instance, if dentists and mechanics are/will be needed, then this options should be part of the counselling. Telling what the country needs or will need, will help the youngsters to choose also where they are going.)
Local education bodies should also be part of those plans, or informed about them, so they can themselves adopt the necessary measures to be coherent with the direction of the country (on last bullet point)
Problem:
Estonian and foreign companies
Social services
Government bodies
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Suggestions:
Universities
National media
5. government incentives schemes that embrace diversity 6. international students should be considered as a ‘return on investments’ [1 vote] 7. a multicultural platform should be created 8. educational institutions should be considered as starting points for equal treatment activities 9. a multimedia campaign promoting interracial tolerance and acceptance should be launched 10. more consulting services should be offered to help prepare CVs and get re-training from Töötukassa (Unemployment Insurance Fund) [3 votes] 11. business courses should also be offered in English not only in Estonian 12. Töötukassa should be connected with Tartu Teaduspark (Tartu Science park) and other NGOs with Loomemajandus Keskus (Centre for Creative Industries) [1 vote] 13. meetings should be held in English 14. NGOs working with unemployed people should be trained on how to deal with immigrants (existing networks and ideas should be used) 15. Tartu Science park should offer more services in English and provide more help 16. problems should be solved instead of creating jobs (the change is needed in the underlying or systemic factors of the labour market; thus it is
NGOs
NGOs
Immigrants in workingage
Töötukassa (Unemployment Insurance Fund)
Unequal employment opportunities for people from different nationalities
EAS (Enterprise Estonia) Tartu Science park Churches
3
importants not only to create jobs, but introduce multiculturalism in companies, in government agencies, showing the advantages etc… [1 vote] 17. IT training and programmes should be offered 18. new ways of thinking should be implemented and successful ideas should be copied Problem: Information about demands or necessities of labour market is not available or is hard to find
Immigrants in their working-age and their families
Immigration office Töötukassa (Unemployment Insurance Fund)
Suggestions:
NGOs
19. training or classes should be held in English 20. there should be up-to-date information available in English 21. there should be one-on-one consultants for helping write CVs 22. create forums for city and university 23. English should be used as a primary language for interaction 24. Tartu University and Tartu city should attract immigrants to go to business and keep the best here 25. immigration process should be simplified – after 5 years of employment permanent residence permits should be offered [1 vote]
Churches University, Tartu city
4
2. EDUCATION 1. Evaluation of the actions that have been done so far (identify ing the problem) The main problems discussed were: - Student immigrants have little opportunities to participate in labour market; - Students with other nationalities have fewer opportunities to graduate from university due to lack of Estonian language proficiency; - Not enough support services for immigrants in higher education: help for getting to and living in Estonia. 2. Following suggestions were named: - Non-EU students should be granted a right to work part-time; creating work-study programmes, creating possibilities for internship or connections to companies; - Immigrants could become more engaged in lobbying for legislation changes; - Divide university term into two basic stages: (1) first stage(1-2 years) – basic subjects in English and Estonian language courses, (2) second stage – further specific subjects in Estonian; - Enabling online application for residence permit; - Providing adequate information about transportation; - Enabling of dorm housing summer; - Extending validity of residence permit after graduation (for 6 months). Here are groups’ answers (problems and solutions): Problem & solution
Target group
Who should implement it?
Problem:
Full-time students
National parliament
Non-Estonian speakers
Universities
Master-level students
Universities
Student immigrants have little opportunities to participate in labour market Suggestions: 26. Non-EU students should be granted a right to work part-time (e.g. at universities) [3 votes] 27. Legislation changes should be lobbied Problem: Students with other nationalities have fewer opportunities to graduate from university due to lack of Estonian language proficiency Suggestions: 28. Divide university term into two basic stages: (1) first stage(1-2 years) – basic subjects in English and Estonian language courses; (2) second stage – further specific subjects in Estonian [2 votes] Problem:
5
Not enough support services for immigrants in higher education: help for getting to and living in Estonia
National government Student groups
Suggestions: 29. enabling online application for residence permit [3 votes] 30. providing adequate information about transportation 31. providing mandatory Estonian classes for immigrants at universities 32. creating work-study programmes 33. creating possibilities for internship or connections to companies [1 vote] 34. extending validity of residence permit after graduation (for 6 months) [4 votes] 35. enabling of dorm housing summer [2 votes]
6
3.
PUBLIC SERVICES AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION 1. Evaluation of the actions that have been done so far (identify ing the problem) The main problems discussed were: - No first-step assistance or information about Estonian language courses for non-students; - Not enough support services for immigrants in higher education: help for getting to and living in Estonia; - Little information in English about essential public services and opportunities at the local level (health services, migration and citizenship, social media – TV, radio, newspapers). 2. Following suggestions were named: - A brochure should be provided together with the residence permit that includes information about Estonian language courses, exam system etc; - There should be support persons that are responsible for and who can be contacted in case of problems or questions; - Information about doctors who speak English should be provided; - Information should be subtitled in English (movies, historical programmes, sports, notice boards); - More street-signs (or information signs) in English should be placed on the streets.
Here are groups’ answers (problems and solutions): Problem & solution
Target group
Who should implement it?
Problem:
Non-student immigrants
Immigration offices NGOs (can provide brochures)
No first-step assistance or information about Estonian language courses for non-students Suggestions: 36. a brochure should be provided together with the residence permit that includes information about Estonian language courses, exam system etc. 37. there should be support persons that are responsible for and who can be contacted in case of problems or questions Problem: Little information in English about essential public services and opportunities at the local level (health services, migration and citizenship, social media – TV, radio, newspapers)
Foreigners
Media groups Insurance companies Universities
Suggestions: 38. information about doctors who speak English should be provided [3 votes] 39. information should be subtitled in English 7
(movies, historical programmes, sports, notice boards) [5 votes] 40. more street-signs (or information signs) in English should be placed on the streets
8
4. CULTURAL DIVERSITY 1. Evaluation of the actions that have been done so far (identify ing the problem) The main problems discussed were: - Lack of shared vision about integration among Estonian population, fear of foreigners; - Low tolerance for ethnic minorities and cultural diversity in Estonian society and religion; - The foreigners risk to stick to themselves, thus distancing themselves from the locals and forming their own close-guarded community. 2. Following suggestions were named: - A brochure should be provided together with the residence permit that includes information about Estonian language courses, exam system etc; - Confidence of Estonian men should be boosted as they are afraid of foreigners stealing their women; - Integration should be seen as a tool not a threat; nation-wide campaigns should be hold in all public platforms; media, public banners and schools on the welcoming idea of integration; - More language opportunities should be offered; TV channels in migrant languages with subtitles in Estonian should be created - Prayer rooms (e.g. mosques) should be created; - Foreigners should be able to give their opinion about Estonia; - There should be a multicultural platform in all educational institutions; - More cultural diversity programmes and events should be offered (film, art, community sports events); - Tartu University should partner with local schools and NGOs; - Summer camps should be organised abroad and locally; - ESN (Erasmus Student Network) and schools should organise workshops with foreigners; - In university dorms locals could share their rooms or flats with foreigners; Apartment/room rental websites could be in English and it could be worth to encourage renting it to proper and responsible foreigners; - Student Fraternity association for both locals and long-term international students (those staying for more than a year) Here are groups’ answers (problems and solutions): Problem & solution
Target group
Who should implement it?
Problem:
Youth (introduction to foreigners)
Local governments
Adults (foreigners in cultural shows to ease their fears)
NGOs
Lack of shared vision about integration among Estonian population, fear of foreigners Suggestions: 41. confidence of Estonian men should be boosted as they are afraid of foreigners stealing their women 42. integration should be seen as a tool not a threat [1 vote]
City councils Religious organisations
9
43. it is crucially important to defuse worries and concerns, and to keep the locals informed on the nation's efforts of integration. Nation-wide campaigns should be hold in all public platforms; media, public banners and schools on the welcoming idea of integration. Problem:
Young people
Ombudsman
Low tolerance for ethnic minorities and cultural diversity in Estonian society and religion
Students
Local agencies – e.g. police
Schools
Ministry of Education
Suggestions:
Estonian adults
Media channels
44. more language opportunities should be offered 45. prayer rooms (e.g. mosques) should be created 46. foreigners should be able to give their opinion about Estonia 47. there should be a multicultural platform in all educational institutions 48. cultural diversity programmes should be offered (programs by and for foreigners, by and for Estonians); more international cultural events 49. TV channels in migrant languages with subtitles in Estonian should be created 50. Tartu University should partner with local schools and NGOs [2 votes] 51. summer camps should be organised abroad and locally 52. ESN (Erasmus Student Network) and schools should organise workshops with foreigners [2 votes] 53. cultural materials should be offered for locals (entertainment films and arts that national media channels can provide. For example, ETV could have a different country theme each month for their "blockbuster" movie nights; Spanish January, French February, South Korean March, etc It could be cinematic, TV programmes, books etc.) [5 votes]
Educational institutions Immigrants
Problem: The foreigners risk to stick to themselves, thus distancing themselves from the locals and forming their own close-guarded community Suggestions: 54. In university dorms locals could share their rooms or flats with foreigners 10
55. Apartment/room rental websites could be in English and it could be worth to encourage renting it to proper and responsible foreigners (could help hosting families to understand and embrace diversity) 56. Community Sports events where anyone of different nationalities, race, language or religion could play in (however, English should be the primary language) 57. Student Fraternity association for both locals and long-term international students (those staying for more than a year)
REPORT OF A CITIZEN RAPPORTEUR All the six discussions were monitored by an independent and neutral observer – citizen reporter, 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 reporter was had to be present throughout the whole event, 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 reporter Annika Murov on the work of an Open Forum held in Tartu on March 28th 1.
Preparation of the discussion
The place where the discussion was held could be easily found. At the entrance of the venue one could register him/herself as a participant with the help of the team of organisers and take the informational materials. For the purpose of making the discussion more effective the participants were divided into small groups, 3-5 people in the group. The arrangement of the tables as well as the small size of the groups allowed for independent and active discussion. Every group was supplied with technical aids – markers, paper and the materials for making name tags. The team of organisers was helpful and accessible for the participants throughout the discussion. 2.
Materials of the discussion
The informational materials in the folders were found at the registration table next to the entrance. Every participant received the folder after registering. Since the organisers prepared more materials than the number of participants, those who came late could get the materials easily. At the registration table the participants were assisted by the organisers. The informational material of the discussion consisted of: agenda, background materials necessary for the discussion (an overview of the Estonian integration policy after 1991, statistics as well as the results of a poll 11
conducted among the participants on the topics of labour market, education, access to public services and information and cultural diversity), an overview of the next steps of the strategy of integration "Lõimuv Eesti 2020“, a feedback sheet, clean paper for notes and a flyer. The informational material was in English, it was easily followed and had illustrative statistical graphs. Since the discussion was based on the issues that crystallized through the preliminary research conducted among the participants, those present at the discussion could directly relate themselves to the background material. The introduction presented by an expert gave a sufficient overview of the cultural diversity in Estonia, the steps in the direction of integration that had been taken so far and statistics. The introduction was clear, informative and opened the main starting points for the further discussion. 3.
Discussion
The principles of the discussion were introduced to the participants both through the distributed informational materials and the expert’s report. Thus the organizational part was understood consistently by everyone. The discussion was taking place in a very open, positive and easy atmosphere – the participants could pick their seats as well as the topics that they preferred to discuss. The discussion including everyday examples also continued in an open atmosphere during the lunch break. Everyone who was interested had the possibility to take part in the discussion. All the participants contributed to the discussion, for the concluding part that took place in the end of the discussion the participants picked a person from among themselves to present the suggestions, but others also used the opportunity to add details at the spot. After the reports the members of the group were asked to pick one suggestion that the participants considered to be the most important out of the suggestions presented (to do that one could use colour-stickers). The organisers kept neutral in the course of the discussions and did not interfere with the discussion itself in any way other than replying the questions of the participants (e.g. questions about facts: about the minimum salary in Estonia etc.) and giving details. 4.
Feedback, conclusions
The further steps have been introduced to the participants clearly enough – after the suggestions were made the expert emphasized the importance of this contribution and introduced the further steps of the integration programme drafting process, gave the information on how to follow the latter and answered the questions asked by the participants. The participants received enough feedback on the discussion process and answers to follow-up questions. Apart from all of the above in the concluding part all the participants received a certificate of gratitude and had the possibility to finish the event behind a dinner table. In conclusion, it was a very successful discussion directly involving the representatives of the target group, the participants of which were enthusiastic and which was governed by an open atmosphere.
12
The project is implemented by non-political organizations Praxis Center for Policy Studies and Institute of Baltic Studies. Additional information and results from different discussion groups can be found here: http://www.etnoweb.ee/arutelud
Contact and more information: Kristjan Kaldur Institute of Baltic Studies kristjan@ibs.ee 5050364
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).
13