August 18, 2010
"Civic Engagement and Recent Immigrant Communities," a new discussion guide developed by the National League of Cities’ Center for Research and Innovation, presents local officials with the first steps and directions for developing or re-establishing efforts toward integrating immigrants into the civic life of the city.
The publication, written in partnership with the Deliberative Democracy Consortium and made possible by a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, provides guidance for conducting meetings with small groups of local leaders that are representative of the many cultural and ethnic facets of the community. It includes suggested agendas, background materials, planning considerations and successful formats for civic engagement.
For any community, immigration can be a challenge and a great opportunity. How local governments deal with this issue can have a major impact on the political climate, school system, public services, and economic prosperity.
Engaging recent immigrants, and strengthening relationships, can have a number of benefits, including:
* Educating recent immigrants about their rights and responsibilities and the services provided by local government;
* Educating local government about the needs, goals, cultural traditions and patterns of communication of recent immigrant groups;
* Fostering communication and helping to resolve tensions and divisions between different groups of people in the community;
* Creating an environment where new leaders will emerge; and
* Encouraging recent immigrants to contribute their own time and skills to solving public problems.
To figure out the best approach to strengthening relationships with recent immigrant communities, it is important to understand the changes taking place in the city, consider some potential goals for civic engagement and decide how different leaders and groups might contribute to the work.
"Civic Engagement and Recent Immigrant Communities" leads a small group (eight to 25) of local leaders through two planning meetings. The agenda, discussion questions and process information are intended to help the group set goals, consider different formats and strategies and think about how they might work together.
This publication was developed through a collaboration of NLC’s Democratic Governance project and the Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration Program (MAII). It is part of a broad strategy by NLC to help cities encourage diversity and inclusiveness by making City Hall the model.
For more information about NLC’s Democratic Governance project, contact Bonnie Mann at mann(at)nlc.org or (202) 626-3125. For Information about NLC’s Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration Program, contact Ricardo Gambetta at gambetta(at)nlc.org or (202) 626-3153.