State policy and the integration of migrants into society

  conference + debate + workshops: State policy and the integration of migrants into  society
 Wednesday, 4 May 2011 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Goethe-Institut Masarykovo nábřeží 32 Prague 1
The international conference, discussions and workshops held as part of the MIPEX and FLEXI-INSECURITYprojects will present an overview of Czech migration and integration policy, its comparison in a European context and its reflection of the position of migrants in practice.
Besides integration, the conference will also focus on the impact of the economic crisis on work migrants. The panel discussions will focus on successful integration strategies, and during the first workshop, twoexamples from abroad will be presented.
The second workshop will familiarise participants with the migration policy of the Czech Republic. Thepurpose of this event is to familiarise the professional public as a whole with the results of both projects and to formulate recommendations for the politicians in the Czech Republic who are responsible for creating and applying the country's migration policy.
The conference is being held under the auspices of Deputy Chairwoman of the Czech Senate Dr Alena Gajdůšková
programme
Registration: from 8:45 AM
Start: 9:00 – 9:15 AMDr. Heinrich Blömeke, Director Goethe-Institut PragueNigel Bellingham, Director of the British Council in the Czech RepublicDagmar Sieglová, Director of the Multicultural Centre PragueConference moderator: Tereza Engelová
9:15 − 11:00 AM
Block I. MIPEX
9:15 – 10:00Presentation of the MIPEX III study and its main resultsThomas Huddleston, Migration Policy Group (main researcher for the MIPEX study)Presentation of the MIPEX III research study and its methodology; comparison of the results of the research, development and legislation in EU countries and a practical demonstration of how to use MIPEX as a tool.
10:00 – 10:30MIPEX III a ČRMagda Faltová, Association for Integration and Migration (researcher for the Czech part of the MIPEX study)Presentation of the results of the MIPEX III study for the Czech Republic in connection with an overviewof legislative changes, particularly the amendment to the law from 2011. An overview of possibilities forimplementation and of the main problems related to integration in the context of the economic crisis.
10:30 – 11:00Miluše Hutyrová, Teaching Faculty of Palacký University in Olomouc.Selma Muhič Dizdarevič, Faculty of Humanity Studies at Charles University in PragueReaction and additional information from researchers who have taken part in the study.
11:00 – 11:15 AM Break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PMBlock II. Migrants in the labour market
11:15 – 11:35Impacts of the crisis on migrants and migration in the Czech RepublicDušan Drbohlav and Soňa Schovánková, Faculty of Science, Charles University in PragueChanges in the numbers of foreigners in the Czech Republic, social situations and the strategy regardingthe behaviour of migrants, measures taken by the state towards migrants in reaction to the economic crisis.
11:40 – 12:00Presentation of the results of the FLEXI-IN-SECURITY projectJakob Hurrle, Multicultural Centre PragueDocumentation of the impact of the crisis on migrants in selected European localities and countries.
12:00 – 13:00 PM
Block III. Integration of migrants
12:00 – 12:20Examples of good practices from selected German townsClaudia Walther, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Programme of Integration and Education
12:20 – 1:00Panel discussion on the topic: the pillars of a successful strategy for integration of migrantsParticipants:Thomas Huddleston, Migration Policy GroupPavel Čižinský, Multicultural Centre PragueClaudia Walther, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Programme for Integration and EducationModerator: Jakob Hurrle, Multicultural Centre Prague
Languages of the blocks before noon: Czech, English (with simultaneous interpreting).
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 4:00
Workshop and public discussion:Local integration of foreigners, sharing of experienceParticipants:Claudia Walther, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Programme for Integration and EducationDr. Uta Kruse, Deputy for integration and foreigners affairs of the city of DresdenModerator: Jakob Hurrle, Multicultural Centre Prague
Languages: Czech, German (with simultaneous interpreting).
2:00 – 3:30
Open space with Thomasem HuddlestonThomas Huddleston will explain to interested participants in the foyer of the Goethe Institutehow to use MIPEX as a tool and will answer any questions for which there was not enough timeduring the blocks before noon.
2:00 – 4:00Workshop: Migration policy of the Czech RepublicIs Czech migration policy restrictive or liberal? What influences it – security concerns, needs of the labourmarket, human rights or demographic concerns? What does “circular migration” mean in practice? Shouldthe Czech Republic go in that direction? How is circular migration related to integration and human rights?What are the conditions for foreigners to obtain state citizenship and health insurance?Emphasis will be placed on migration for economic purposes. The workshop will make useof balanced scorecard methods.
Moderator and host: Pavel Čižinský, Multicultural Centre Prague
Language: Czech
4:00 – 4:30Summary of the results of the conference, discussions and workshops, conclusion of the day