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new arrivals in touch with mainstream health, education and
employment agencies.
A similar example comes from Berlin’s urban cohesion strategy.
It is not uncommon for cities to experience a situation in which
economically and socially deprived areas coincide with areas
with a large migrant population. The programme for the social
stabilization of neighbourhoods in Berlin thus targets districts, not
nationalities. The policy aims to improve access to education, jobs
and social services for both German and non-German residents
as well as promoting initiatives that foster a sense of ownership
of the neighbourhood among the resident community.
The Centre for International Migration and Integration’s
(CIMI) projects in Israel similarly emphasizes holistic community
building, urban planning and proactive tenant associations. Costa
Rica’s education project focuses on the special needs of both
migrant children from Nicaragua and Costa Rican children from
poor backgrounds. Such comprehensive strategies that address the
needs of migrants as well as those of other disadvantaged groups
can counter resentment on part of the host society and contribute
to greater social cohesion.
Age, gender and education levels of migrants are important
variables that need to be taken into account in integration efforts to
ensure their effectiveness. Some countries have established specific
initiatives to encourage the participation of migrant youth in
cohesion-building activities. Ethnic minority youth often possess
bilingual skills, transnational networks and cultural know-how
which add greatly to the social resources of the host society.
yet, in many countries a feeling of marginalization among
migrant youth is widespread. Australia has responded to the
challenges facing families and young migrants through its Family
Relationship Services and the Newly Arrived youth Support
Service. These facilities provide advice and counselling when
family relationships are under strain, for example due to changing
gender roles or when children demand certain freedoms that are
common in the country of destination but inappropriate from
the perspective of the culture and traditions of the country of
origin.