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Is/are social/community cohesion strategies effective and producing results?

Code:
RED112
Key Area:
Policies On Integration - Cohesion
Strand(s):
Equality
17/02/2012 - 16:20
Short Answer

Yes, the formal social and community cohesion strategies are considered effective and producing results, although some of the proposed measures were not fully executed and the need to continue and to deepen the social cohesion strategy is acknowledge.

Qualitative Info

The formal national strategy concerning social and community cohesion is expressed mainly through the Plano Nacional de Acção para a Inclusão (PNAI) [National Action Plan for Inclusion], which presents the Portuguese national strategy in the area of poverty and social exclusion. Regarding the social cohesion strategy, the Plano para a Integração dos Imigrantes (PII) [Plan for Immigrant Integration] is considered one important instrument of the wider National Action Plan for Inclusion.

The Plano Nacional de Acção para a Inclusão (PNAI) [National Action Plan for Inclusion] presents the Portuguese national strategy in the area of poverty and social exclusion and adopts measures of local policy in articulation with the national level of intervention, having immigrants and ethnic minorites as main target groups (toghether with people with disabilities, children and older people). The fourth edition of PNAI (2006-2008) addressed immigration and disabilities through the lens of gender perspective and multiple discrimination. The fifth edition of PNAI (2008-2010) added also ethnic minorities as a target group. This Plan includes the Programa Rede Social [Social Network Programme], Contratos Locais de Desenvolvimento Social [Social Development Local Contracts] and Iniciativa Bairros Críticos [Critical Neighbourhoods Initiative].

Both Plano Nacional de Acção para a Inclusão (PNAI) [National Action Plan for Inclusion] and the Plano para a Integração de Imigrantes (PII) [Plan for Immigrant Integration] refer the role of Programa Escolhas [Choices Programme] as a tool for immigrant descendants integration. The Programa Escolhas is a nationwide programme created in 2001 operating under the Alto Comissariado para a Imigração e Diálogo Intercultural (ACIDI) [High Commission for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue] which aims to promote social inclusion of children and young people from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds, particularly the descendants of immigrants and ethnic minorities, combating the territorial segregation and promoting the empowerment of children, youth and communities through the deconstruction of stereotypes and prejudices. Since 2004 this programme is based on locally planned projects implemented by local institutions. The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX III) highlights the positive role of the Choices Programme, which in its third edition worked with 780 partners and 81,695 beneficiaries, particularly disadvantaged immigrant youth.
 



Sources
 

ACIDI (2007), I Plan for Immigrant Integration (2007-2009), http://www.acidi.gov.pt/_cfn/4d346c9b80687/live/Consulte+a+versão+do+Plano+2007-2009+em+inglês+, Date of access: 13.12.2011.

ACIDI (2010), II Plan for Immigrant Integration (2010-2013), http://www.acidi.gov.pt/_cfn/4d346c9b80687/live/Consulte+a+versão+da+Plano+2010-2013+em+Inglês, Date of access: 13.12.2011.

ACIDI, (2010), Relatório Final: I Plano para a Integração de Imigrantes (2007-2009), http://www.acidi.gov.pt/_cfn/4d346c9b80687/live/Conheça+o+Relatório+Final+do+PII+%282007-2009%29, Date  of access: 13.12.2011.

MIPEX (2011), Migrant Policy Index III - Portugal, Brussels: British Council and Migration Policy Group, http://www.mipex.eu/portugal, Date od access: 27.02.2012.

PNAI, Plano Nacional de Acção para a Inclusão, http://www.pnai.pt, Date of access: 13.12.2011.

Programa Escolhas, http://www.programaescolhas.pt, Date of access: 13.12.2011.

Groups affected/interested Migrants, Roma & Travelers, Ethnic minorities, Persons with disability
Type (R/D) Anti-migrant/xenophobia, On grounds of disability, Anti-roma/ romaphobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas Integration - social cohesion
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