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Committee Opinion | Doc. 14084 | 08 June 2016
Educational and cultural networks of communities living abroad
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)1. The Committee on Migration,
Refugees and Displaced Persons congratulates the rapporteur of the Committee
on Culture, Science, Education and Media, Mr Pierre-Yves Le Borgn’,
on his report, which highlights the value of educational and cultural
networks created by diasporas in their host communities, while pointing
to the lack of recognition of their potential and the obstacles
to their development
2. In order to reinforce the recommendations contained in the
draft resolution, the committee proposes three amendments, which
serve to further stress the importance of diaspora networks in Europe
and the need for their integration into host societies, in order
for them to participate in finding collective solutions to contemporary
challenges.
B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
At the end of paragraph 5.1.3, add the following words:
“, including social media platforms;”
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 5.1.3, add the following paragraph:
“encourage the media to convey the positive role of educational and cultural networks of communities living abroad;”
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
At the end of paragraph 5.3.1, add the following words:
“, as already recommended in Assembly Resolution 2043 (2015) on democratic participation for migrant diasporas;”
C. Explanatory memorandum by Mr Thierry Mariani, rapporteur for opinion
(open)1. The Committee on Migration,
Refugees and Displaced Persons supports the report prepared by the Committee
on Culture, Science, Education and Media and congratulates its rapporteur,
Mr Pierre-Yves Le Borgn’, on bringing once again the Parliamentary
Assembly’s attention to the importance of diaspora communities,
this time from a cultural and educational perspective.
2. As is rightly recalled in the report by Mr Le Borgn’, the
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons has regularly
addressed the issue of migrant diasporas, in particular in the recent
report by Mr Andrea Rigoni on “Democratic participation for migrant
diasporas” (Doc. 13648).
3. Mr Le Borgn’s report covers two very important fields of diaspora
networking: education and culture. These areas are particularly
important in the context of the current migration crisis. The involvement
of diaspora communities in framing and implementing migration-related
policies must become a priority for our governments.
4. Like any other social group, diaspora communities and their
associations and networks may be targeted and manipulated by extremist
groups. At the same time, these associations can be important partners
of local communities and governmental organisations in fighting
radicalisation which leads to violent extremism. This is part of
their role in promoting integration of migrant communities in the
host countries, a role that should be promoted and supported. Regarding
the establishment of platforms at national and local level involving diaspora
organisations in the development and implementation of integration
strategies, one should not forget social media networks, which have
recently started to be actively used by migrants. Since communication between
people has become easier and less expensive through social media,
and more frequent and accessible worldwide, it has facilitated the
contacts between diaspora members and their families and relatives in
the countries of origin.
5. Social media are used to provide information for migrants,
which can facilitate their integration in host countries and provide
information on the labour market, migration procedures and legal
requirements. In some cases, the diaspora communities raise money
through social media for different causes. Therefore, I would like to
stress the role of social media in changing the culture of communication
within diaspora networks and in facilitating the integration of
migrants in general.
6. With regard to the role of the media in general, the committee
wishes to emphasise the role of diaspora communities in countering
the binary stereotypes of migrants as either “victims” or “criminals”,
and encourage the television, newspapers and electronic media to
portray diaspora associations’ positive role as a cultural, economic
and political bridge between the country of residence and the country
of origin.
7. The committee also welcomes the reference in the draft resolution
to the recommendation in Mr Rigoni’s report and in Resolution 2043 (2015) on
democratic participation for migrant diasporas, regarding the creation of
a parliamentary network on diaspora policies, and reiterates that
it is very important to support this initiative at the institutional
level.