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Conference
The Social Integration of Immigrants in Maryland:
A New Comprehensive Approach
September 22nd (Tuesday) 2009, Annapolis, MD
| SPONSORS |
Abstracts (in chronological order) Panel Session A: Language and Labor Panel Session B: Lawfulness and Loyalty Panel Session C: Location and Life
Report of the Maryland Council for New Americans and Recommendations to the Governor Click here to download full copy of the report Heritage Languages Project and Social Integration of Immigrants Click here to download a full copy of the report. [top] The Metropolis Project: Bridging Policy and Research on the Social Integration of Newcomers Using examples of Metropolis research, the second part of the paper will discuss the social integration of newcomers in Canada. From a public policy perspective, integration in Canada is described as a “two-way street”, requiring adjustments and accommodation on the part of both newcomers and the host society. A suite of federal settlement and integration programs is in place to encourage this approach. Using a number of indicators to measure and analyze the social integration of newcomers and minorities – including, for example, ethnic and Canadian identity, attachment and belonging to Canada, social networks, perceptions of racism and discrimination, and level of civic and political participation – the paper will try to answer the question: how well are we doing on both sides of the street? The paper will conclude with a few policy recommendations and suggestions for future research. Click here to download the Metropolis Project brochure [top] American Social Culture and the Quest for Social Integration of Newcomers – Human Development Perspective Metrics of immigrant potential strategies that can be pursued within a system of social games correlated with those mentioned above subcultures will be discussed. Click here to download Dr. Gotzmann's presentation from 2008 Conference on Immigration and Development [top]
Profile of Immigrant Workers, Families, and Children in Maryland The forthcoming report on children of immigrants in Maryland profiles this population that has been growing in size and relevance. The diverse immigrant population in the state presents an opportunity to study the social and economic integration of immigrant families from East Asia and Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the West Indies and findings are presented for children with different immigrant origins. The high share of children with college-educated parents suggests that immigrant children and families in the state are fairing well economically. Indeed, children of immigrants in Maryland have the third highest median family income for immigrant families of all states and their poverty rate is lower than the poverty rate for children with native-born parents in the state. But more than a quarter of children of immigrants live in low-income families despite the high work effort of immigrant parents. Most children of immigrants are U.S. citizens by birth and eligible for public services but many have non-citizen parents that might be afraid to interact with government agencies. English language, adult education, and easier access to services could improve the well-being of children of immigrants. The growing number of children of immigrants, especially among young children age 0 to 5, also means a growing impact on school districts and rising demand for services for English language learners. The report highlights some of the challenges and opportunities that policymakers, stakeholders, and immigrants face in integrating children of immigrants and their families in the state. Click here to download the full Urban Institute report. [top]
Panel Session A: Language and Labor Comprehensive Approach to Language Access in Montgomery County Integration of Turkish Immigrants into the German Labor Market – Failures and Successes Immigrant Destination-Language Acquisition for Social Integration: Challenges and Best Practices Future Directions in Adult ESOL Program Design & Development Role of Language in Integration Research VOICES IN THE PANEL A Jennifer Perez-Brennan. The nonprofit Upwardly Global ("UpGlo") promotes the economic integration of highly-skilled refugees, asylees and permanent residents - a population that often experiences severe career downgrading post-immigration. UpGlo gives immigrant professionals the tools to rebuild their careers in the US, and works with employers and public policy decision-makers to capitalize on the diverse skills and experience of this hidden talent pool. [top] Anna White. Language Access Program (LAP) is one of the major projects of the Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. At the conference I would like to talk about Mayor’s Executive Order, general overview of the LAP project, its components and Baltimore’s progress in implementing the program( I will cover the following components of LAP: telephonic line, translation of the documents and language bank). I will also talk about the importance of the LAP for Baltimore’s growing immigrant population. [top] Rachel Glass. The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) was established in 2006 with the goals of building adult ESOL and literacy service capacity; coordinating and leveraging resources; and promoting adult English literacy as central to family, community, and economic prosperity in Montgomery County. The Coalition is unique in its role supporting a countywide network of partners, including Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, and more than 50 community-based service providers working across diverse immigrant communities. MCAEL’s efforts include a community grants program that provides funding and technical assistance to local ESOL and literacy programs; a Professional Development Institute for instructors and program staff; an outcomes and data project; and local advocacy and public awareness, including publication of a Provider Directory of services for information and referral purposes. MCAEL’s work addresses immigrant integration at the individual level, by supporting English language learning, and at the institutional level, by strengthening collaboration and capacity among the diverse organizations that serve limited English proficient adults. [top] Jennifer L. Blake. FIRN is a model nonprofit “one-stop shop” for an array of key immigrant integration services (immigration, employment, English, interpreting/translation, health education, and general information and referral) in Howard County. In FY 2009, with a staff of 8 and 236 volunteers contributing over 10,000 hours, FIRN served clients from 78 countries representing 40 native languages in addition to English. Two FIRN initiatives will be highlighted: 1) Language Connections, a social enterprise that places trained medical interpreters with health clinics, mental health agencies and others who serve foreign-born populations; and 2) Adult/Club LEAP partnerships that use trained volunteers to tutor at-risk ESOL students and adults. FIRN seeks partners with which to replicate the FIRN model throughout Maryland. [top] Michele Manatt A place at the table: role of the private sector in achieving better integration of Hispanic Immigrants. The Americas Society/Council of the Americas took a hard look at the advocacy by the private sector is support of comprehensive immigration reform in 2007 and determined that we could enhance the policy debate by examining the role and the successes of companies in achieving stronger integration. This presentation will highlight examples what companies with a large percentage of Hispanic employees are doing to increase their access to key skill areas that need strengthening: English as a Second language classes, financial literacy and use of the banking and credit system, access to health care, and increasing civic participation. [top] Alan Cheung. Fitting in as a Chinese American. The integration of Chinese culture and language goes along with the social integration of Chinese Americans. [top]
Panel Session B: Lawfulness and Loyalty Lawfulness and Loyalty: Why are Immigrants Not More Like Us? An awareness of the background of immigrants’ origins allows an understanding of the causes that lead to what is considered “unlawful” or “inappropriate” conduct by immigrants. The panel will discuss several areas: why some immigrants may avoid compliance with regulations, based on their experience with corrupt government agencies whose goal is to create problems until they are bribed; or why some immigrants do not place emphasis on education, because of their experience with little opportunities for advancement compared with the immediate relief of entering the work force right after high school; or why some immigrants are disadvantaged in commercial transactions without any knowledge of legal recourse, based on their experiences back home where there may be little or no consumer protections. The panel will also explore possible means to minimize these obstacles to acculturation. Included in the discussion will be an examination of the pervasive and detrimental effects of limited English proficiency as well as the fear of immigration law enforcement for themselves or family members. [top]
Social and Acculturation Process for Social Integration, Inclusion, and Transformation. Throughout history, people have emigrated from their homelands for various purposes, reasons, and/or needs. Regardless of the country of origin, many immigrants have crossed borders both legal and illegally; and so, leaving behind their past in search of a new future. In this risk, mankind has found meaning, thus, the identity of an immigrant, and so initiation a process of socio-culture vis-a-vis to cultivate social integration, inclusion, and transformation. In this panel, I will address how aspects of legal status of immigrants, culture of law, and mutual/multiple loyalty are fundamental methods towards community’s sense of human dignity towards a the betterment of an intellectual society. For this reason, I will discuss lawfulness and loyalty (Gotzmann, 2008) through the framework of social and acculturation processes. Using social and acculturation processes, I will address how language, culture, and identity are interconnected with socio-human development, socio-economic integration, and inter-global community development. Furthermore, issues related to acculturation such as: bi-culturation, cultural orientation, assimilation, integration, and marginalization (Zoppi, 2004) will be presented. Finally, I will address how members of our community in Maryland can create lawfulness and loyalty towards community development. For this reason, lawfulness and loyalty call for aspects of ownership, civility, and leadership that require each of us to unite and understand the unique role of human development within society as a whole. In this way, our future is driven by the cultivating each individual as a genuine part of the overall community. [top] Refugees and Asylees: Where Do They Fit in the U.S. Immigration Picture? Some native-born Americans protest that today’s refugees, asylees, and other immigrants do not seem to be assimilating as readily as past generations of immigrants. Is this true? What evidence exists to calm these misgivings? And what can be done to further encourage mutual loyalty within the U.S.? [top] Legal Status of Immigrants: Why Don’t They Just Get in Line and Obey the Laws Immigration, Integration, and Loyalty: The Turkish American Experience,
Wanjiru Kamau Challenges facing the integration of the African immigrants in their new homeland. Recommendations. African immigrants are the fastest growing immigrant population in America. There are over 1 million African foreign born in the United States according to 2000 US Census Bureau. Whether they arrive on immigrant visas or as refugees, newly arrived Africans face several challenges. Many are in dire need of adaptation and adjustment services with particular emphasis on coping and using available resources. On arrival to the US, acute needs include mental health and trauma counseling due to loss and family separation, skills assessment, new language and cultural skills, support with school and provision of culturally competent social service care, family reunification and immigration status adjustments assistance. The process is often difficult, extending far beyond the first 90 days of government support for refugee and often continuing for years after entry into the United States. Dr. Wanjiru Kamau will present best practices on how to work with African population to overcome barriers to their effective integration. [top] Hoan Dang Presentation of projects of the Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association. MVMA’s mission is to serve, support, and advance the Vietnamese American community. While MVMA's special commitment is to advocate for the cause of Vietnamese Americans, it serves all immigrant communities. Our vision is to build a strong, unified, and caring Vietnamese American community, where young people, adults and elders are engaging and contributing citizens through continuing educational, social and economic advancement, while maintaining our cultural heritage. [top]
Perspectives on the Health of Immigrants Residing in the State of Maryland The focus of this talk will be to systematically examine these barriers and discuss how they result in physical and mental health disparities for immigrants residing in Maryland. System-related barriers include poor customer service, unwieldy eligibility requirements for public or private insurance, cost of care, long wait times in the medical office and for an appointment, as well as inconsistent quality care. Immigration-related concerns include fear of approaching a public location or providing identifying information which may result in deportation or imprisonment. Lack of information includes little information on available services, lack of knowledge about preventive health and misunderstanding of the American health system. Language barriers include lack of bilingual staff or interpreters (often relying upon children for translation), unfamiliar medical terminology, and documents in English which are written at a high literacy level. Values and beliefs about health and the health system are barriers related to norms and disease stigma experienced in their homeland. Additionally, other priorities and concerns including work and/or transportation related are barriers to accessing preventive and primary care. This presentation will delve into other research findings identified in our community-based participatory research. The work enables safety net clinics, health providers, and other interested parties to focus on removing barriers to ensure equitable access for Maryland immigrants to health services. [top] The Untold Stories of an Immigrant Community Integration of immigrant families in education – a comprehensive service model This presentation will highlight the components of a comprehensive service model for immigrant families in American schools including:
• the need for qualified and highly effective interpreters;
• recruitment and training of interpreters;
• increased resources for translators/translations;
• building capacity for staff on how to work effectively with immigrant families;
• providing workshops for immigrant families on topics germane to their needs;
• developing parent leadership opportunities through training programs for international parents. Participants will gain ideas, knowledge and an awareness of programs in our schools that build capacity for both educators and immigrant families so together they can work as equal partners to support student success and achievement. [top] An Outlook on Conflict Resolution forLatinos/Hispanics in Maryland –Opportunity and Special Needs Within the last decade Maryland has come to be recognized as a national leader in stimulating and advancing the use of mediation and other forms of non-adversarial conflict resolution at the local community level. Dispute resolution processes, such as mediation, community conferencing, and facilitation, empower participants to resolve their disputes through constructive communication, gain understanding of each other, and determine for themselves win-win solutions that satisfy the needs of all parties involved. Yet, only a relatively small number of Latino/Hispanics in Maryland are using these services, most of which are offered free of charge by community mediation centers throughout the state. This presentation will examine the opportunity that mediation and other available dispute resolution processes offer, crucial factors and special needs that impact their use by Latino/Hispanics, and best practices for improving the access of Latino/Hispanics to these services. [top]
Cultural Integration of Latino American Immigrants from the Behavioral Medicine Perspective Mind/body medicine; what is happening to the Latin American immigrants during the difficult process of trying to integrate into the U.S. society. [top]
Benefits of Inclusion Banking Welcoming Refugees and Asylees to the U.S.: A First Responder’s Perspective
Tom Brenneman Approaching integration through strategic peacebuilding practices & principles: A 3D Security approach. A “3D” approach to complex social change, social, cultural and economic integration and human and community security concerns looks first to Development and Diplomatic solutions, holding Defense as a last resort. The 3D Security Initiative’s approach of strategic peacebuilding emphasizes practices engaging the “whole of community” linking civil society, governmental and community leaders working at conflict prevention and stabilization in contexts linking local voices to Congress and the Washington policymaking community. With networks tapping thousands of NGOs working in every region of the world, we locate legitimate and authoritative voices to share front‐line perspectives on critical issues important to U.S. interests in global security. [top] Barbara Levy Gradet Presentation of Jewish Community Services, a non-profit human service agency. Through the programs and services of Jewish Community Services, families and individuals will be supported in meeting basic needs for economic sufficiency; in living independently; in achieving mental health and competence; and in feeling supported by and connected to the Jewish community in ways that are meaningful to them. Jewish Community Services, a non-profit human service agency, was launched July 1, 2008 through a consolidation of four existing social service agencies - Jewish Family Services, Jewish Vocational Service, Jewish Addiction Services, and Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister League - under the auspices of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. These four original agencies have rich histories, the oldest of which dates back to 1856. Uniting the agencies into a seamless, integrated human service organization made it possible to provide a broad range of services that effectively respond to the diverse, multi-dimensional needs of those in our community. [top] Evelyn Joe The Fishing Pole: Engaging Emerging Stakeholders for Promising Outcomes:
The Continental African ethno-demographic populations.
In our increasingly diverse neighborhoods, the welfare of new, emerging sub-ethnic populations is implicitly linked to the changing dynamics and progress of society as a whole. Too often, the indigenous stakeholders’ voices are missing as self-advocates in their outcomes. Descriptive external researchers and findings and solutions, which are exogenous (from without) may not capture the complexities and living experiences of the target populations. But experiences have shown that there are considerable and better prospects for outcomes when cooperative inquiry processes identify, engage, enable and empower Continental African (African immigrant) stakeholders as both co-researchers and subjects of their development - and catalysts for community integrations as contributing, productive, and accountable members of their new communities. Erin Karpewicz Presentation of the Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. (ACDS) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing affordable housing and community development services in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Since its founding in 1993, the Corporation has worked to create and retain affordable housing, promote homeownership, facilitate neighborhood revitalization strategies and programs, preserve the County's rich cultural history, and implement community development programs to serve County residents most in need. [top]
Concert
featuring cultural styles in music, open to the public Throughout recorded history, music has proven to be the utopian example of social integration. Similar to the migration of flora and fauna to distant soils, music travels with immigrants; bringing new styles and sounds to create new beautiful species of acoustic art. Reflective of indigenous cultures and enhanced by foreign influences, music of a particular country cannot be neatly confined to one genre or even one culture; it is an auditory kaleidoscope, ever-changing as new musical ideas join with existing ones. The United States is known as the world’s melting pot and its music is representative of that nomenclature. Even from the earliest written compositions of the 1700’s our country’s music has merged several distinctive cultural sounds into its own unique blend. These blends are constantly changing and will continue their development into new styles only with the introduction, acceptance, and sharing of new cultures and the freedoms to allow such inclusion. [top]
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Register !
(registration details here)
Regular Fee: $45
Non-Profits, Government, Students
Fee: $20
Volunteers' Fee: $0
(we are now accepting applications for volunteer positions)
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Organizers
Social Integration and Community Development Association
Maryland Office
for Refugees and Asylees
Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland
GRL (Global, Regional, Local) Development
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Sponsors
High Commission for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue
Governor O'Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown
Arundel Community Development Services, Inc.
Eat, Sleep and Breath
a Piece of History!
Bringing World through Art, Arts&Crafts and Books !
Traditional Irish Pub with Three Locations in Maryland
School of Music in Crofton, MD
Computer Repair & Data Recovery Service in DC and MD
Colossal Contractors, Inc.
Minority Owned Business Success
Culturally Responsible Marketing Solutions for Small Businesses
