Immigration and Local GovernmentImmigration and Local Government

The Belfast experienceThe Belfast experience

Hazel FranceyHazel FranceyGood Relations ManagerGood Relations Manager

Changes in BelfastChanges in Belfast

•• “The Troubles”“The Troubles”

•• Scale and speed of recent immigrationScale and speed of recent immigration

•• 2001 2001 -- 2004 2004 -- health workershealth workers

•• 2004 2004 -- A8 accessionA8 accession

•• around 35,000 migrant workers.around 35,000 migrant workers.

Social divisions in BelfastSocial divisions in Belfast

•• religious segregationreligious segregation

•• muralsmurals

•• peacelinespeacelines

•• lack of social contactlack of social contact

•• “managing” a divided city.“managing” a divided city.

Policy & legal frameworkPolicy & legal framework

•• S 75 of the S 75 of the Northern Ireland ActNorthern Ireland Act, 1998, 1998–– Promotion of equality of opportunityPromotion of equality of opportunity–– Promotion of good relationsPromotion of good relations

•• A Shared FutureA Shared Future, 2005 , 2005 -- shift in approachshift in approach–– “a shared society”“a shared society”–– “separate but equal is not an option.”“separate but equal is not an option.”

Good Relations Steering PanelGood Relations Steering Panel

•• partnership approachpartnership approach•• commitment by leaderscommitment by leaders•• participation by minority representativesparticipation by minority representatives•• symbolism at high profile eventssymbolism at high profile events•• service deliveryservice delivery•• training of 2400 stafftraining of 2400 staff•• practical outputs.practical outputs.

Opportunities of immigrationOpportunities of immigration

•• costs of divisioncosts of division•• community cohesioncommunity cohesion•• importance of relationshipsimportance of relationships•• appreciation of diversityappreciation of diversity•• myths about migrantsmyths about migrants•• growing reliance on migrant labourgrowing reliance on migrant labour•• learning from others.learning from others.