political participation of migrants: cities & regions in a european perspective
DESCRIPTION
MIPEX: Tool to compare, analyse, and improve integration policy Do all residents have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to help them improve their integration outcomes? Benchmark policies and implementation measures, according to European & international standards on Equal Treatment Public “Quick Reference Guide” Debate government objectives, progress, and resultsTRANSCRIPT
Political participation of migrants: Cities & regions in a European perspective
15 years as an independent policy ‘think-and-do-tank’
Mission: lasting and positive change for open and inclusive societies • better informed European debate and action on migration, equality and
diversity;• greater European cooperation between & within sectors
4 activities: • Establish expert networks• Compare and analyse policies• Engage more stakeholders at EU level• Create new opportunities for dialogue and mutual learning
Migration Policy Group
MIPEX: Tool to compare, analyse, and improve integration policy
• Do all residents have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to help them improve their integration outcomes?
• Benchmark policies and implementation measures, according to European & international standards on Equal Treatment
• Public “Quick Reference Guide”
• Debate government objectives, progress, and results
Key Findings
50%: Halfway favourable Political will counts, more than traditionStronger laws with EU
Citizenship & political participation often similar & weak, esp. new immigration countriesAll policies often related
CoE Convention on Nationality 166 (1997)**9/100 ‘unfavourable for integration’
Convention **Among MIPEX countries, only in force for AT, BG, CZ, DK, FI, DE, HU, NL, NO, PT, RO, SK, SE (Few, mostly Central Europe)
Transformation from countries of emigration-to-immigration (DE, LU...)
3 principles from longer immigration (US,CA) & inclusive countries (FR,UK)• Short residence requirement (3-7 yrs total)• Some ius soli (15)• Dual nationality (18)
• Principles can give way when sovereignty fears or far right hold sway…
Access to nationalityEU Area of Weakness
Even so, discretionary procedures discourage many from being citizens.•Vague/high language•Uneven support for integration test•Half make conditional upon job/income•Only 10 limit discretion•Few ‘Hold-outs’ don’t yet tolerate dual nationality
CoE Convention on Participation of foreigners in public life at local level 144 (1992)**
37/100 not wholly unfavourable for integration
**Among MIPEX countries, only in force for DK, FI, IT, NL, NO, SEConvention
Despite renewed interest (e.g. PT, ES), major reform & political will needed.
Only half EU countries open non-EU voting rights
Few consultative bodies, often not strong or independent enough to serve aims (come & go)
Structural bodies in half; often based on national system
Free elections or nominations by immigrants or NGOs in half; especially national and older bodies
Representative of nationality or gender in most; both or more in few
Few immigrants hold/share Chair; more in local, older, elected bodies
All policies affecting immigrants addressed in most
Activities for bodies with greatest mandates
Right to initiative in most; right to response in only Norway, Spain
Consultative bodiesAreas of strength