Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination
Activities: What Works ?
Dr. Smita JoshiDirector – Multiculturalism
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
Presentation Outline
• Context.• Rationale for our approach given
our context & goals.• Focus on our successes: Sharing
sample projects that work.
Our Context
Being small can be a blessing and a curse!
Demographics - Diversity represented in the
province• Small numbers of Immigrants; a little Small numbers of Immigrants; a little over 8500; Around 1.5% of the total over 8500; Around 1.5% of the total population.population.
• Yet, over 100 countries / 70 languages Yet, over 100 countries / 70 languages spoken.spoken.
• Home to 2000 people with French Home to 2000 people with French heritage.heritage.
• 19,000 people with aboriginal ancestry. 19,000 people with aboriginal ancestry. • 10,000 who also speak “non-official”
languages.(Source Census, 2006)
Building Social Capital Networks
• Works best in smaller setting• Actions at Macro level• Actions at Micro level
Public Consultations
1. Implementation of the provincial Policy on Multiculturalism. A total of 13 focus group meetings held in 10 locations across the province ; included 217 participants.
• Newfoundland and Labrador’s Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy. The Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) facilitated 13 sessions of 11 deliberative dialogue sessions with 484 youths aged 18 to 30 attended in September and October 2008.
How is diversity viewed in our province? Results of our
consultations• Diversity & Multiculturalism viewed positively.
• Recognize importance of Education; that fear of the unknown/ lack of exposure can cause people to be less open to immigrants.
• Conversely, in rural NL, immigrants are more likely to be welcomed with open arms as they are often the precious and valued health care providers, entrepreneurs that fulfill major need in the community.
• Close-knit communities and cultures can result in isolation of newcomers from other parts of the province as well as from other parts of the world.
Rationale for our Approach
• Our Challenge: To be proactive and change where necessary, what we think, how we feel and act.
• Approach: Through government and community partnerships, take a holistic approach, support the local champions to build welcoming communities.
Policy & procedures
Anti-Discrimination
HolisticApproach
Education &
Public awareness
Cultural inclusiveness
StrategicPartnerships
Programs & Servicesbased onEquality
Actions UndertakenAssistant Deputy Ministers Committee• Interdepartmental Working group• Public Service Commission : Provincial Diversity
committee • Coordinating Committee on Newcomer Integration-
Federal, provincial, municipal, community partners• International Student Labour Market Integration
Project Committee.• The employers’ guide to hiring international
students and graduates.• Strategic partnerships with Municipalities,
Teachers Association, School Board Association, Eastern Health, Royal Constabulary etc.
• Smaller Centre Strategies – “Toolbox of Ideas for Smaller Centres” - pilot has been conducted in selected areas of the province.
Our 26 Partners during March Celebrations!
Economic Development Boards• Labrador Straits Development Corporation• Mariner Resource Opportunities Network • Capital Coast Development Alliance
Community Groups• Association for New Canadians• Sharing Our Cultures • Multicultural Women’s Association of Newfoundland
and Labrador• African Association of Newfoundland and Labrador• Friends of India• Japanese Association of Newfoundland and Labrador• Multicultural Women in Corner Brook• Media as “partners”
Partners Municipal/Provincial/Federal • Education• Innovation, Trade and Rural Development• Justice• Women’s Policy Office• Tourism, Culture and Recreation• Human Rights Commission• Royal Newfoundland Constabulary• City of St. John’s• Citizenship and Immigration Canada• Eastern health CareEducational Institutions• Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association• Eastern School Board• Conseil Scolaire Francophone School Board• College of the North Atlantic-St. John’s and
Stephenville Campus• Memorial University of Newfoundland
Since 2007, our office has funded 54 community partnerships
projects to enhance settlement, inclusion and integration services.
Multiculturalism
MilestoneCelebrating Successes!
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
June 24, 2009
Since the launch
of the Policy in June 2008…
We conducted 13 Focus Group Meetings in 10
locations
Receivedwidespread support for the policy
across the Province
Citizens highlighted the importance of public
education to strengthen diversity.
…and the need for culturally sensitive services
too!
With supporting partners…
In March 2009, together we lit up our Province
Thanks to the provincial proclamation!
We light up our homes, our hearts our community with
multicolored lights as a symbol of being a welcoming community
Supported by a proclamation from the City
too!
Together We Rocked !
Welcoming newcomers!
Organizing culturally sensitive
Public Seminars in French on Islam.
We worked with our students
with specialized classroom activities
developed by department of Education
Students learned about each
others cultures
And International students learned about life
in rural communities
They celebrated World Day…
Bell Island Style!
And learned about the importance
of different languages.
Teachers promoted respect for all.
With service partners working to meet family needs…
Acknowledging importance of Inclusive citizenship
for all…
….The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary helped to provide
culturally sensitive services
We celebrated Sharing Our Cultures…
Everybody has a purpose here….
Memorial University International Students Bazaar
Multicultural Women’s Food and Craft Fair…
a win -win for all!
Thank you to all our partners for
celebrating diversity
as our strength!
So let us continue to build on our Successes!
And recognize the outstanding achievements
CongratulationsRemzi Cej!
Province’s newest
Rhodes scholar who originally
came from war-torn Kosovo!
Continue to promote our rich heritage
Listen to the children!
…..and build on our strengths.
Together we can provide safe harbours
Gander Airport
9/11
Maximize all potential
Promote collaborations
Let’s find the way
We’ll find a way
There is a Way!
Thank- you!
For additional information contact our office at (709)
729-6607
References • Policy & Implementation report
http://www.nlimmigration.ca• Making Newfoundland & Labrador a province
of Choice, Synthesis Reporthttp://www.lmiworks.nl.ca/yras/pdf/Synthesis_Report.pdf
• Making Newfoundland & Labrador a province of Choice, Summit Report http://www.lmiworks.nl.ca/yras/pdf/NL_Youth_Summit_Final_Report.pdf
• Employers Guide to Hiring Immigrants http://www.nlimmigration.com/media/10909/employersguidetohiringimmigrants.pdf