Conference participants are asked to register for one of seven site visits which will include a lively debate and one or two interactive master classes on a timely issue, imparted in a relevant setting to the theme.

In each visit, participants will take centrefold by sharing experiences, lessons, questions and challenges in this field.

Site Visit 1 – Cultural identity and equal citizenship – the case of women and youth (Commemorating International Women’s Day)

 This visit will bring participants to ‘Argan’, a youth centre in the west part of Amsterdam that was founded in 1992 by Moroccan youths and has since evolved into a modern, multi-purpose community centre which provides youth a safe space and platform to channel their emotions and to discuss relevant issues such as youth unemployment or woman emancipation. . This site will offer an excellent backdrop to a discussion and debate on the use of dialogue to promote equal citizenship, including two 30-minute interactive master classes by Gloria Wekker on effective antidiscrimination policies at the local level and by Baukje Prins on cultural identity and equal citizenship. Held in commemoration of International Women’s Day, this latter master class will focus on the case of women’s human rights as part of the intercultural challenge.

Site Visit 2 – City leadership and attitudes to migrants – challenges and opportunities

 

This visit will take participants to the city hall of Amsterdam, the Stopera. The visit starts with an by an interactive masterclass by Rinus Penninx on the role and opportunities for cities to address integration issues in the framework of national and European contexts. This will launch a debate on the role of (city) leadership in promoting diversity which will be complimented by a master class by Arthur van Schendel of the city of Amsterdam’s personnel department on how the city seeks to reflect its diversity through Human Resources policies.

Site Visit 3 – New partnerships and alliances for participation and social cohesion

This visit will take participants to ‘Fifteen’ where they will have a fruitful exchange on how cities can engage with and participate with external stakeholders to promote integration aims. A representative from Rabobank will explain how this bank has allied with the city to promote migrant participation and several stakeholders will present their cases. The visit will end with a master class by Marleen Stikker on how to use design and social media to promote interaction with migrant populations.

Site Visit 4 – Diversity management – from school to the community

This visit will take participants to one of the city’s secondary schools which has managed to use its multicultural makeup as an asset to become an example for social cohesion and excellent performance. Here participants will debate the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing diversity which will be inspired and complemented by two interactive master classes by Sawitri Saharso and Baukje Prins on cultural identity and equal citizenship and by Halleh Ghorashi on openmindedness as the key of facing complexities.

Site visit 5 – Is ‘integration’ the right paradigm?

As is the case in many cities across Europe, Amsterdam is looking beyond ‘integration’ to promote the active participation and citizenship of its residents of all backgrounds. Such is the case of Timorplein, the setting of this site visit at the Meevaart, which is a community project in a neighbourhood of the city with a diverse make-up. Participants will share their views and experiences on the right approach or paradigm(s) in addressing the local dimension of migrant integration. This discussion will receive inspiration from a brief presentation by Han Entzinger and Paul Scheffer on their research and comparison of integration policies in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Rinus Penninx will conclude the visit with and interactive master class on the importance of local level for migrant integration.

Site Visit 6 – Innovative tools for migrant engagement and communication

This visit will take participants to the Amsterdam public library which acts as a hub for innovation and public participation. At the library, participants will take part in the interactive debate on how media can be used to serve the goal of migrant engagement and participation. A master class by Marleen Stikker will deal with the use of design and new media in integration.

Site visit 7 – Discrimination and local policy

In spite of comprehensive legislation, discrimination remains a widespread reality across European cities. In this site visit, participants will go to the Anne Frank House, a stark reminder of the dangers of discrimination and racism. Here, participants will discuss the role of cities in protecting their residents, including migrants and citizens alike, against discrimination. Halleh Ghorashi will set the backdrop for the discussion with an interactive master class on openmindedness as the key of facing complexities The visit will conclude with a master class from Gloria Wekker on ‘effective anti-discrimination policies at the local level’