Strasbourg, 24 June 2014CDDECS(2014)3 final
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL COHESION,
HUMAN DIGNITY AND EQUALITY
(CDDECS)
Opinion of CDDECS
on draft Recommendation CM/Rec(2013)…
of the Committee of Ministers to member States
on intercultural integration
Introduction
At their 1189th meeting (22 January 2014), the Deputies decided to transmit the draft Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on intercultural integration drawn up by the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) to the European Committee for Social Cohesion, Human Dignity and Equality (CDDECS), for opinion.
The CDDECS considered this Recommendation (Appendix) in its first meeting 3-5 June 2014. Based on the views expressed by the CDDECS, the Secretariat prepared the attached opinion to be sent to the Committee of Ministers.
Draft Recommendation CM/Rec(2013)… of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on intercultural integration
Elements for a reply to the Committee of Ministers
The CDDECS takes note with interest of the draft recommendation CM/Rec(2013)… of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on intercultural integration. It also welcomes the guide “The intercultural city step by step: Practical guide for applying the urban model of intercultural integration”, a model to be applied at the local level in Member States and which constitutes a useful tool for the promotion of intercultural dialogue. The CDDECS takes note that in addition to cities the recommendation should also make reference to smaller administrative entities. It might also be beneficial to include in the text some description of measures aiming to achieve successful intercultural integration.
The CDDECS notes the views expressed in the Draft Recommendation that the intercultural integration approach is built upon Council of Europe instruments and standards in this field. In this context, the CDDECS underlines the important role that the conventions, mentioned in its terms of reference, play in protecting the rights of individuals in culturally diverse societies and in achieving intercultural integration. The CDDECS also plays a vital role in this regard.
The CDDECS refers in particular to a series of General Policy Recommendations of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) as well as the rights guaranteed by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It also underlines that the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages serves as a tool to protect and promote these languages as part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
The CDDECS considers that it is important to develop effective and innovative measures to create more inclusive, integrated and socially cohesive societies where all citizens, of whatever background, have the opportunity to participate and realise their potential, and where we focus on what we have in common rather than on our differences.
In order to achieve social cohesion in the societies, the CDDECS is determined to contribute actively to this objective through its new programme of activities which include a focus on guaranteeing equality and equal dignity for all and on combatting all forms of violence and discrimination whatever the reason. There is no doubt that the respect for human rights, alongside with the respect for national legislation in general, plays an important part in developing a successful integrated society. It is also important to note that legal measures will not in themselves overcome challenges to integration. This also requires their effective implementation, awareness raising and collective action at national and local levels by public bodies, the private sector and the civil society.
Appendix
Draft Recommendation CM/Rec(2013)…
of the Committee of Ministers to member States
on intercultural integration
(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on … … 2013
at the … meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)
The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.b of the Statute of the Council of Europe,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity between its members and that this aim may be pursued, in particular, through common action in the fields of migration, integration and community relations;
Having regard to the pioneering work of the Council of Europe in the field of intercultural dialogue, in particular the “White paper on intercultural dialogue: Living together as equals in dignity”, which underlines the importance of creating spaces for cross-cultural exchange and debate, facilitating access to and exercise of citizenship and fostering intercultural competence, particularly at the local level;
With reference to the report of the Group of Eminent Persons of the Council of Europe “Living together: Combining diversity and freedom in 21st-century Europe”, which emphasises the key role of cities in managing diversity, fostering a pluralistic identity and creating open societies by bringing members of different groups into close and constructive contact, and which showcases cities that have adopted an intercultural approach to integration;
Underlining that managing diversity in full respect for the principles of democracy and human rights is a common challenge for all societies throughout Europe, and indeed worldwide, and that migrant integration strategies are ineffective and unsustainable without appropriate diversity strategies;
Noting that access to citizenship, education, public services, the labour market and cultural life can only be equitable if governance and institutions are designed for culturally diverse communities and managed by culturally competent individuals and teams;
Recognising that a solid body of research both in Europe and worldwide has demonstrated the value of diversity for human and social development and cohesion, economic growth, productivity, creativity and innovation and that these benefits of diversity can only be realised on condition that adequate policies are in place to prevent conflict and foster equal opportunities and social cohesion;
Emphasising that the Council of Europe supports and facilitates the search for novel approaches to diversity management that remedy shortcomings of past policies and enable the realisation of the advantages of diversity, and that such an approach – called intercultural integration – has been developed through a process of structured policy review, peer learning and evaluation in the context of “Intercultural cities”, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union;
Considering that the intercultural integration approach builds upon Council of Europe instruments and standards in the fields of cultural diversity, the protection of minority cultures, intercultural competence, multi-lingualism, intercultural education, the fight against racism and xenophobia, the prevention of hate speech, the role of media in fostering of a culture of tolerance, the interaction between migrants and receiving societies and the intercultural competence of social services;
Underlining that culture and cultural heritage play an important part in building the city as a shared public space by encouraging people in exploring the plurality of identities through the diversity of heritage and contemporary cultural expressions, and in fostering a sense of a shared past and an aspiration to a common future;
Acknowledging that cities are at the front line of integration and diversity management, are laboratories for policy innovation and that they make an important contribution to social cohesion by adopting an intercultural approach to integration and diversity management;
Noting Recommendation 261 (2009) on intercultural cities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe which points out that strong inclusive intercultural cities that have succeeded in encouraging citizens of diverse origins to identify with their city demonstrate a capacity for innovation and are able to use the resources, skills and creativity of their populations to increase the city’s attractiveness and to bring new investment and job opportunities,
Recommends that the governments of member States:
a.take note of the guide “The intercultural city step by step: Practical guide for applying the urban model of intercultural integration” and facilitate its dissemination, including via its translation into their official languages;
b.bring the urban model of intercultural integration model and the tools which have been designed to facilitate its implementation and measure its impact,[1] to the attention of local and regional authorities, as well as relevant national, regional and local institutions, organisations and networks, via the appropriate national channels;
c.encourage the implementation of the urban model of intercultural integration at the local level and support the setting-up of city networks for the exchange of experience and learning in this respect;
d.take the urban model of intercultural integration into account when revising and further developing national migrant integration policies, or policies for intercultural dialogue and diversity management.