.png)
Although Malta
has been at the crossroads of the movement of peoples since time immemorial,
migrant integration governance has only a short history. It started to some
extent with the 2005 policy document Irregular Immigrants, Refugees and
Integration, which was sparked by the onset of migrant boat arrivals.
Nonetheless, the
first time that a Ministry was specifically charged with an integration
portfolio and, consequently, a systematic approach, was in March of 2013 when
the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties (MSDC)
was set up. One of the first initiatives taken was to disseminate information
relevant to migrants through a dedicated website on various topics such as necessary
documentation, housing, and education. These initiatives were made in
collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The
website’s aim was to act as a portal of quick access to the most important and
necessary information, especially for newly arrived migrants.
As part of the
Mind D Gap project led by MSDC, a public consultation was carried out in
mid-2015, with the resulting document being a Framework Document entitled Towards
a National Migrant Integration Strategy 2015-2020. This document brought
together opinions and proposals from individual citizens, governmental
entities, civil society organisations, academic institutions as well as
international organisations, and pointed towards what an integration strategy
for Malta could look like. The aim was to get as much feedback as possible on
any relevant issues or necessary changes.
The Framework
Document also published the results of a national telephone survey on
perceptions on third country nationals (TCNs) and immigration in Malta where it
was found that a relative majority of the population agreed with the concept of
integration. Those who opposed it were often either unsure of its meaning or
had no direct contact with migrants in Malta. A conference ensued in June 2015
to launch these results.
The Human Rights
and Integration Directorate (HRID), later renamed as Human Rights Directorate
(HRD) was set up in November 2015. In the ensuing period it kicked off several
initiatives, which are expected to be consolidated and expanded upon. For example,
the Forum for Intercultural Affairs was established, meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee
on integration
were held, and a strong collaborative relationship was established with various
partners.
Integration
= Belonging. Migrant Integration Strategy & Action Plan (Vision
2020) was launched by the Hon. Minister for European Affairs and
Equality, Dr Helena Dalli, on December 15, 2017.
The Integration
Unit, later renamed as Intercultural and
Anti-Racism Unit was set up in the first months of
2018. It takes care of the day-to-day implementation of the Strategy and the
Action Plan. It serves as the main governmental coordinating body that imparts
information, receives integration requests and follows migrants’ progress on
their integration in Malta.
Various initiatives
The I BELONG Programme
An integration
introduction programme is an investment in the future, which both migrants and
society in general need to undertake if we want successful integration. It gives
migrants a start, enabling them to acquire vital skills. It is therefore
well-worth the effort, and the return on investment is that newcomers to our
country become better-equipped members of society.
The ‘I BELONG’ Programme
is one of the main pillars of Malta’s Migrant Integration Strategy and Action
Plan (Vision 2020). The programme consists of two main components: language
tuition and cultural orientation. The focus of the former is on public and work
situations where migrants are likely to require knowledge of Maltese and
English, whereas the latter delves into the functioning and values of society,
such as equality. The programme is also split into two stages:
- Stage One,
leading to the award of a Pre-Integration Certificate, consists of basic
cultural and societal orientation, Maltese language and English language at MQF
Level 1, being offered by MCAST. In the first year of the Unit (from its setting up in
November 2018 until September 2019, there were almost 2,000 applicants
for Stage One).
- Stage Two
fulfils some of the criteria required by applicants for the long-term residence
in Malta. It consists of Maltese language at MQF Level 2 and a course of
one-hundred hours having as its subject matter the social, economic, cultural
and democratic history and environment of Malta. The course is being offered by
the University of Malta.
The Forum on
Intercultural Affairs
This is another
aspect of the Strategy which is gathering representatives from a range of
migrant community organisations active in Malta. The forum, comprising of more
than 25 representatives, meets regularly and advises the Government on
migrants’ integration-related solutions, any necessary amendments to
legislation and policy, and the implementation of services offered as well as
any other matter related to the fostering of integration that is effectively
mutually beneficial to migrants and residents. In conjunction with this, the
Migrant Integration Information Sessions (MIIS) and the Turning The Tables
(TTT) are being organised.
- The Migrant
Integration Information Sessions create a space for different migrant
communities to gather together and discuss topics as proposed by them. Having
one specific topic for each MIIS, the Intercultural and Anti-Racism
Unit finds speakers to discuss the topic with migrants and other various
stakeholders. The main aim is that integration is facilitated also through
these information sessions for migrants.
- The Turning
The Tables conferences are aimed to empower migrant and refugee communities to
strengthen their own capacity to enter policy and legislative process. The
members of the TTT committee are responsible to lead the organisation of the
conference including determining the topics to be discussed and inviting
relevant stakeholders.
The Local Integration Charter
Another
important part of the Strategy is the ‘Local Integration Charter’.
It is used as a tool for Local Councils to support each other in order to
respond to the integration needs within Malta’s increasingly diverse
communities by means of an action plan consisting of
various targets. The main aim is
that of integration of the individuals and communities at the
local level as a basis for integration at national and EU level.
All of the
54 Local Councils in Malta have been contacted and 37
of them are already collaborating in the implementation of this charter. From
these 37 Local Councils, the
majority have signed an agreement with the Intercultural and
Anti-racism Unit as a formal confirmation showing their adherence to the Local
Integration Charter for the integration and involvement of migrants, and
towards the promotion of diversity in an anti-racist community.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on
Integration
The Strategy
also outlines the ‘Inter-Ministerial Committee on Integration’. This is a
structure chaired by the
Parliamentary Secretariat for Equality and Reforms on behalf of the Ministry
for Equality, Innovation and Research, to coordinate the
Government’s actions in the field of integration, draw general approaches and
assist horizontal collaboration between ministries and their respective
institutions. The Intercultural and Anti-Racism Unit, through the Inter-Ministerial Committee, is
continuously assisting the participating ministries in developing their
respective action plans while monitoring the progress of their implementation
through regular meetings with the stakeholders.
“The IMCI will be
strengthened and will hold frequent meetings to coordinate Government’s actions
in the field of integration, draw general approaches, and assist horizontal
collaboration between ministries and their respective institutions as
necessary. The IMCI will also assist the participating ministries to develop
their respective action plans and monitor the progress of their implementation.”