Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire

Doc. 10914
25 April 2006

The role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the integration of migrants

Motion for a recommendation
presented by Mr Çavuşoğlu and others

1.       Formal as well as informal associations, clubs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in general, have always played an important role for the integration of immigrants and members of their families in the host society. The participation in these associations, clubs and NGOs fosters the sense of belonging to a group. It is a powerful instrument in creating friendships. The feeling of wellbeing in a given society can be fundamentally influenced through this participation.

2.       Most associations, clubs and NGOs have social programmes in addition to their core activities and can thus reach a broader audience than only the group of members interested in the core activities. Migrants and their children, who are members of such a NGO, can involve other family members, friends and relatives in these social activities, which, in an important way, can help reduce feelings of isolation in society.

3.       Most of these NGOs are democratic organisations and will therefore help their members to understand and practice democracy.

4.       Participation encourages members of different origins to assume responsibilities for the wellbeing and well functioning of the NGO. The feeling of contributing to a common goal can be very strong and it gives great scope for individual involvement and initiative. Such involvement can extend to members’ families, friends and relatives.

5.       Most NGOs are keen to present a positive image of themselves to society. They will therefore invest in the training and education of its members to behave correctly and as examples to follow in exercising their associative or related activities as well as for their behaviour in private, professional and public life. This can have important positive repercussions on the behaviour of the groups that members are associated with or belong to.

6.       As a consequence of the above, members of NGOs are often better placed to find employment, not only as professionals having some link to the associative activities, but also in a variety of enterprises for which an associative experience have some relevance in general terms.

7.       The practice of different associative activities in enterprises is normally regarded as very positive for the wellbeing of the enterprise, its internal cohesion and its internal and external image. Associative activities in enterprises can also involve family members, friends and relatives of the employees. Members of different associations, clubs and NGOs can make important contributions to such functions within enterprises, which can contribute in an important way to their integration, as well as chances for promotion.

8.       A particularly important place where associative activities are practiced is in schools and other educational and training institutions. Clubs, associations and NGOs could in this context and where relevant be given an active role for the implementation of training programmes. They could also to a larger extent be given access to the school premises for their activities.

9.       In view of the above and given the importance of achieving a positive integration of migrants and their families in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers assist member states in:

-       sharing their experience of policies and practices regarding the role of associations, clubs and NGOs for the integration of migrants and their families;

-       proceeding with the compilation of good practices with a view to drawing up guidelines for policies that can foster integration of migrants and members of their families through associative activities;

-       involving, where appropriate and relevant, associations, clubs and NGOs in education and training-programmes given in schools and other institutions of education and training, and offering, if appropriate and relevant, school premises to be used for associative activities;

-       using the Council of Europe and/or other relevant international organisations for necessary co-ordination and promotion of this work.

Signed ¹:

ÇAVUŞOĞLU, Mevlüt, Turkey, EDG
de PUIG, Lluís Maria, Spain, SOC
DEDJA, Taulant, Albania, SOC
ETHERINGTON, Bill, United Kingdom, SOC
GÜLÇIÇEK, Ali Riza, Turkey, SOC
HAIBACH, Holger, Germany, EPP/CD
ILAŞCU, Ilie, Romania, NR
MENDONÇA, Ana Catarina, Portugal, SOC
MIRZAZADA, Aydin, Azerbaijan, EDG
NEGELE, Gebhard, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD
ØSTERGAARD, Morten, Denmark, ALDE
ÖZAL, İbrahim, Turkey, EPP/CD
PREDA, Cezar Florin, Romania, EPP/CD
REYMANN, Marc, France, EPP/CD
van THIJN, Ed, Netherlands, SOC
VERMOT-MANGOLD, Ruth-Gaby, Switzerland, SOC
ZAPFL-HELBLING, Rosmarie, Switzerland, EPP/CD

¹     SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
       ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
       EDG: European Democratic Group
       UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
       NR: not registered in a group