Integration of Migrants: Engaging Employers, Unions and the Voluntary Sector
Central London, 4 July 2006
Click here for the conference report.
Click here for a background paper for the event.
9.15 Registration
9.45 Welcome
Julia Onslow-Cole, Partner & Head of Global Immigration Team, Cameron McKenna
Introductory remarks
Sarah Spencer, Associate Director, COMPAS
10.00 Supporting migrants in the workplace - the role of employers
Chris Melvin, Managing Director, Reed in Partnership
10.30 Supporting migrants in the workplace - the role of unions
Jack Dromey, Deputy General Secretary, TGWU
11.00 Coffee
11.30 Employment good practice
Chaired by:
Denise Cranston, Diversity Director, Business in the Community (Northern Ireland )
Contributions from:
Nigel McIlwaine, Personnel and Finance Director, Foyle Food Group
Leonie McCarthy, New Link Centre, Peterborough
Sofi Taylor, UNISON
12.30 Key role of the voluntary and community sectors
Sukhvinder Stubbs, Chief Executive, Barrow Cadbury Trust
1.00 Migrants, refugees - the government's integration agenda
Joan Ryan MP, Under Secretary of State for nationality, citizenship and immigration
1.30 Lunch
2.30 Interactive workshops led by organisations carrying out innovative work at the local level
Five workshop sessions, limited to 20 participants each, will be run in parallel. The workshops will focus on meeting the challenges in the future agenda. The themes and speakers will be:
Employment
What is being done to help migrants and refugees build networks and acquire skills to get access to jobs? How can employers support migrants and refugees in the workplace?
Chaired by: Patrick Wintour, Director, Employability Forum
Contributions from: Austin Birks, European Recruitment Manager, First UK Bus; Anes Ceric, Bosnia and Herzegovinan UK Network
Building bridges across communities
What initiatives exist to counter cultural misunderstandings and help build bridges among migrants, refugees and their neighbours? What are the key challenges to engaging in this work? Can mentoring and volunteering networks help?
Chaired by: Alveena Malik, Head of Communities and Integration Policy, Commission for Racial Equality
Contributions from: Joy Warmington, Chief Executive, b:RAP; Qamer Nisa, Project Co-ordinator, 1City, MENTER; Sarah Arnold, Time Together Project Manager, Timebank
Advice and rights
It is argued that migrants and refugees need access to advice and information on jobs and services, and on their rights and responsibilities. What kind of information is needed? Who should provide it - government, employers, unions, voluntary organisations? What are the challenges to providing such information?
Chaired by: Naomi Hatton, Head of Public Services Section, Social Policy Unit, Home Office
Contributions from:Don Flynn, Policy Officer, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants; Gerard Crofton-Martin, National Rural Development Officer, Citizens Advice; Shareefa Fulat, Director, Muslim Youth Helpline
Capacity building and service provision
Voluntary and community organisations can provide the front line in providing access and services to migrants and refugees. How are these organisations built up? What kind of services do they provide? What are the barriers to their work?
Chaired by: Celine Castelino, Board member and Chair of Wales Sub-group, ABNI
Contributions from: Johannes Hagos, Volunteer Centre Westminster; Vaughan Jones, Director, PRAXIS
3.30 Tea
4.00 Civil Society in the new Integration Agenda
Trevor Phillips, Chair, Commission for Racial Equality
4.30 Way Forward
Drawing on the outcomes of the workshops and themes throughout the day, the closing session will set out key elements of the forward agenda. Includes summary remarks from workshop chairs.
Maeve Sherlock, CEO, Refugee Council
5.30 Drinks Reception