Download TFMI 2010 Program (.pdf) - Robert Bosch Stiftung

SessionsWorkshop F: Integration of Internal andExternal MigrantsThis workshop aims to explore the issue of internal and external migrant integration, with the focus onsocial and cultural integration in metropolitan cities. Like many southern European countries, Turkeyhas experienced labor emigration flows to northern Europe (in particular to Germany, the Netherlands,and France) of around 3.5 million Turkish citizens since the 1960s. Today, Turkey is no longer a country ofemigration, but since 1950 has experienced a rapid growth in population, which has led to a significant risein so called “internal migration” among the rural population from the eastern areas to cities. At the sametime, the immigration of different population groups from the Balkans, Africa, Arabic countries, and formerSoviet countries since the 1980s into the country is also substantial. These flows — internal migration andimmigration — offer new challenges to social cohesion and integration of diverse ethnic and religious groupsin big cities worldwide, in particular Europe and North America.The greater İzmir area has been and still is one of the primary destinations for internal migrants to settle, andhas become a gateway to the West for new (legal and illegal) migrants, refugees, and transit migrants, and isa good example to showcase the challenges local governments are facing. But, it also presents local initiatives andcooperation projects with cities in EU countries that are suggesting comprehensive measures to cope withthese challenges.Beginning with the Turkish context, the panel intends to compare this case with the experiences in otherworld regions, and discuss new approaches and strategies to successful integration in order to promote theexchange of good practices among the participants from different cities and regions.Guiding Questions■ What are the current burning problems the city of İzmir is facing concerning internal migrants(Kurdish, Roma, and Christian) and foreign newcomers?■ Is there a need for different policies addressing internal and external migrants?■ How do cities cope with migration flows in the age of globalization, changing demographics, and agingpopulations?■ What programs and policies are provided by national and local governments to promote the integrationand participation of diverse groups into society and key areas such as education, labor, housing, healthservices, and religious practices?20 | T h e T R a n s a t l a n t i c f o r u m o n M i g r a t i o n a n d I n t e g r a t i o n