Full citizenship is within reach: Campaign proposal

• Brussels, Belgium • 20 October 2014

Thomas HUDDLESTONProgramme Directoron Migration and IntegrationMigration Policy Group

Citizenship campaigns are as relevant for several EU MS as in US

Note: Estimates from EU LFS, undercount 2nd generation (only young adults with two foreign-born parents)

•Naturalised citizens as important as voters in BE, FR, SE as in US•Foreign citizens as important as potential voters in most countries, even greater in BE, DE, IE, IT and ES•Free-moving EU citizens are important potential voters, esp. in BE, IE, SE

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30

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50

60

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90

100

LUX GRC ESP ITA EST CHE BEL IRL AUT DNK ISL DEU FRA GBR FIN NOR NLD CZE PRT HUN SWE SVK SVN POL

Percentage of nationals among the foreign-born aged 20 and over with at least 10 years residence in 2011-12Percentage of nationals among the native-born offspring of two immigrant parents aged 15-34 in 2008-09

Share of nationals among foreign-born with 10+ years (aged 20+) and among native-born offspring of two immigrant parents (aged 15-34), 2008

Source: EU Labour Force Survey

•Figures for long-settled foreign-born in US ≈60%, AU≈80%, CA ≈85%•Most non-EU citizens want to become citizens (i.e. Immigrant Citizens Survey)

Context: Promote naturalisation

Source: European Social Survey (pooled); US Current Population Survey

•Difference not simply due to age/edu; improves over time & generation•Most non-EU immigrants are interested in voting in elections, often as much as nationals are (Immigrant Citizens Survey)

Context: Promote voting

Context: New citizens, new voters

• Neglected target group in political participation policies

Three-pronged strategy is most effective for citizenship campaign

Arguments in favour of three-pronged strategy

• Opportunity: Depending on the country, many immigrants are eligible to naturalise or vote

• Effectiveness: Naturalisation and voting are most effective for boosting the overall level of political participation among immigrants

• Naturalisation and voting have shown to be effective for improving equal treatment in law & in practice, countering the far-right, & increasing support for inclusive social & integration policies

• Target group: For service-providers on the ground, ‘immigrants’ are a diverse group with diverse motives to naturalise and participate politically

State of play: promotional measures are generally weak

Aus

tria

Bel

gium

Cze

ch R

epub

lic

Den

mar

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Fra

nce

Ger

man

y (f

eder

al)

Ger

man

y (H

ambu

rg)

Ger

man

y (H

esse

)

Irel

and

Ital

y

Luxe

mbo

urg

Pol

and

Por

tuga

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Spa

in

Sw

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PROMOTION1 Naturalisation campaign in past f ive years? X2 Information services? X X X X X X X X3 High quality w eb- and print- materials X X X X X5 No fee for language assessment? X X X X X7 Enough free courses to pass language requirement? X X X X X X10 High-prof ile citizenship ceremonies? n X X n4a Widespread availability of forms? X X4b Online applications? X X9a Fee application? X X X X

Source: CITIMP Indicators, http://eudo-citizenship.eu, also see MIPEX on political participation campaigns

• Information and application-checking services are rare; websites/info often too technical & not promotional or interactive

• Few ad hoc NGO or city-led naturalisation and voting campaigns (Why? 1) ‘luxury’ issues, 2) Reform not promotion, 3) prefer citz./dem. alternatives)

Is it time for a campaign? Focus on reform or promotion?

Time for reform or promotion?

Citizenship Political rights

AUSTRIA Reform Reform

BELGIUM Promotion & reform Promotion

CZECH REP. Promotion Reform

FRANCE Promotion & reform Reform

GERMANY Promotion & reform Reform

IRELAND Promotion & reform Promotion

ITALY Reform Reform

SPAIN Reform Reform

SWEDEN Promotion Promotion

• First, Need Inclusive law/procedure or likely reform in next 1-2 years

• Large share of residents are disenfranchised or new voters

• Openness of authorities

• Potential lead partner & collaborative partners

Citizenship campaigns: three partsLead partner specialised in citizenship and political participation (national or regional/local authority or immigrant-run/support NGO)

Collaborative partners for volunteers, outreach, specialised services

Outreach through local/immigrant organisations, ethnic mediaOption: through public authorities (e.g. databases, letters)

•Part 1: One-stop-shop informational and promotional website

•Part 2: One-stop shop events with local communitiesOption: Citizenship ceremonies

•Part 3: Individualised support (hotline or face-to-face)

•To develop: Interest second generation in political participation

Part 1: One-stop shop websiteWebsite brings together all the informational and promotional materials for immigrants and campaign partners (the reference point, aggregator) •Requirements, exemptions & news written in simple everyday language

•Self-assessment tool with individual advice on how to prove or prepare for each requirement

•Links/locator to support services, courses, volunteering opportunities

•Links to any e-application forms and best learning materials

•Explain any complicated requirements (e.g. sample tests, FAQ)

•Explain benefits of naturalisation and voting, including individual testimonials, high-level spokespersons/authorities

Part 1: One-stop shop website

State promotional policies

Part 2: One-stop-shop event

Part 2: One-stop-shop event• Lead partner coordinates ‘citizenship

coalition’ & outreach

• Partner with citizenship & voting legal expertise trains volunteers to inform immigrants, complete application to naturalise/register or meet course/test providers

• Other partners from local/immigrant communities provide volunteers & outreach

• Public event to draw in interested immigrants (e.g. debate on political topic, citizenship ceremony, volunteering marketplace…)

• Potential lead partner & collaborative partners

Inspiration: ICIRR, National Partnership for New Americans, New US Mayor’s Initiative…

Inspiration: National Partnership for New Americans

Inspiration: National Partnership for New Americans

Part 3: Individualised support

• Individualised advice for complicated cases / strategic litigation

• Hotline/call-back service or face-to-face by drop-in/appointment

• Specialised training for foreigners/citizens’ advice bureaus or dedicated citizenship service

• Identify and communicate all available services

Opportunities to launch campaigns

What role can you play?

• Authorities responsible for integration, naturalisation and elections

• Public figures (at municipal, regional, national level)

• Immigrant-run NGOs

• Local media organisations

• Immigrant-run media

• Media organisations

• Specialised immigration lawyers

• Integration service providers