Immigration Innovations: Good Chance Theatre

Photo by Metin Ozer on Unsplash

I just finished an assignment on 5 #immigration innovations for my #VivacityYYC #CivicInnovation course with Catherine Pearl, PhD. The final story map makes it feel that much more satisfyingly complete. Here's a sneak peak of one of the most innovative programs I came across:

#Refugees in camps are often reliant on aid from international organizations and have limited autonomy or opportunities for employment and to become independent. Good Chance Theatre (n.d.-a) originated in Calais, France in a refugee camp referred to as “the Jungle”. Through principles of creativity, diversity, and collaboration, Good Chance Theatre (n.d.-a) builds physical domes dedicated to the #arts to inspire and empower communities with high refugee populations to spread joy and validate lived experiences.

What about how this might apply to #yyc? We don’t have refugee camps in #Calgary, but we could build a theatre in communities with clusters of immigrant families from a variety of cultures. It could help immigrants connect to more of their #culture and community, and #diversify Calgarians' cultural literacy.

-Emma B.-

Melbourne, Australia

Museums Victoria. (n.d.). Aboriginal scarred trees.

The immigration museum in Australia is an important cultural institution in Melbourne that highlights the history and stories of Australian immigrants. The museum provides insight into the lives of immigrants and their experience integrating into a new country. Through a range of exhibits, permanent and temporary, visitors are able to see various forms of art that showcase the diverse cultures and traditions that make up Australian society. Through this, the museum

Celebrates the contributions of immigrants from across the globe to Australia's economic and social development. Visitors are able to engage with interactive and immersive displays that explore the stories of Australian immigrants. The museum supports newcomers by providing this space to explore and celebrate Australia's rich cultural diversity and history of immigration. The museum promotes intercultural understanding and encourages visitors to reflect on their own cultural heritage. Additionally, the museum itself serves as a hub for resources as it provides information to newcomers to help them settle into their new community including information on housing, employment and education. The museum goes to show that although it's important, it's not just about creating programs that directly support the wellbeing of immigrants, it's also about showcasing the value of immigration in the city and letting them know that they belong here.

-Alita V.-

Three heel taps to the land of Melbourne

“Melbourne Skyline River View” Photo taken by Denise J.

In the search for the ‘Top 5 Exemplar Immigration Cities in the World” - I would have to place Melbourne at the top of my list.

The city itself does have a reputation for being culturally diverse, having an influx of immigration throughout the years and after completing further research, found that there are a multitude of resources that can be useful for immigrants and newcomers.

“Melbourne Skyline River View” Photo taken by Denise J.

As a Canadian, one would think that Toronto or Vancouver would be at the top of my list, but due to second-hand personal experience, along with my research - Melbourne proved to be a very strong contender.

Majority of my mother’s side is still residing within the Philippines and after my sister had passed, it was our duty to ensure that her children were taken care of. By those means, we wanted to bring my sister’s eldest daughter to Calgary for post-secondary education. It proved to be fairly complicated to do so. Education requirements, funding, visa applications - oh my! Just as Dorothy was lost in Oz, my mother and I were lost with all the policies and processes that were required before immigration.

Luckily, my niece's grandfather was able to help her with a Student Visa application to live, learn and work within Australia - more specifically Melbourne. Within months and right about the time my niece graduated from highschool, she was able to move to Australia and start her post secondary education.

We called her everyday and was happy to learn that she was finding it easy to belong. She found a part-time job easily and said that because of the strong Filipino communities, she was able to find friends quite quickly!

This story goes to show that a common barrier that immigrants and newcomers face are indeed the systemic policies and processes that are put in place. It also shows how much the communities of cultures that are formed within cities play a vital role in the integration and belonging of newcomers and immigrants.

With these factors in mind, I do hope that more immigrants and newcomers consider tapping their heels to the wonderful land of Melbourne.

-MJ L.-

Paris, France

Photo Accreditation: Kagan, A. (2019). Paris France. Unsplash.

When studying the barriers surrounding immigration, it is always heartbreaking to hear about the many credentials barriers that bar people from living the life they expected in their chosen country of immigration.

This is why SINGA, an international organisation of Parisian origins, is such a breath of fresh air. Instead of focusing on the information gap that so often bars immigrants from reaching their full potential (Monteiro, 2022, p. 25), they aim to create a more inclusive society by uniting locals and newcomers (specifically asylum seekers and those with refugee status) to work on professional entrepreneurial projects (SINGA, n.d, Home section). Switching the “us” vs “them” narrative to one that values diversity of experience, as invaluable sets a standard of innovation that has earned the organization great acclaim, thanks to their collaborative and innovative mindset when working with over 320 startups (SINGA, n.d, Home section).

Understanding that everyone brings something to the table allows us to work better, deconstruct barriers, and become richly innovative in the work that we do! SINGA is setting a fantastic example of how to make credentials less of a stumbling block for newcomers, and I think we should be taking notes.

-Meara K.-

Newcomer Day: An innovative program made for newcomers and immigrants in the city of Toronto

[Photograph of Toronto Newcomer Day]. (2022). CityNews

When looking at the list of most exemplar cities I researched, the most progressive one when it comes to welcoming in and helping newcomers be well adjusted was the city of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. This is notable due to how it is considered as one of the most multicultural urban areas in the world and how each year tens of thousands of newcomers from around the globe choose the city as their new home. Their diverse cultures and communities have helped create Toronto’s identity as a vibrant global city according to the city of Toronto’s site.

With this considered it is also notable to mention that when it comes to how newcomers and immigrants can get help in adjusting to their new relocation. A good resource available to them is the City of Toronto's website. Not only is it very helpful in giving step to step guides for information and resources on before and after getting here. It is also inclusive by giving the option for users to translate the site into their own language. This was very interesting to see and is a good initiative in helping users navigate the system when relocating and attaining the resources they need in an efficient way that works for them.

Lastly, another interesting initiative the city of Toronto carries in helping newcomers and immigrants gain support, resources, and connection is their newcomer day. Since 2015 the city has held a yearly event which is an annual celebration that takes place in May to welcome newcomers to the city, assist them in learning about and gaining access to a wide range of services, and acknowledge their contributions to the city. All citizens are invited to join in welcoming newcomers to Toronto with activities and entertainment at this showcase of Toronto’s diverse communities. The next one will be held on May 25th, 2023, if interested go to the city of Toronto’s site for more information.

Overall, this assignment was very informative and insightful and was interesting to see how different cities cater to and help support newcomers and immigrants get well adjusted. It was a great steppingstone for our next assignment and is good research and inspiration to look back on when we are developing and creating ideas for what can be possible in our city. For when it comes to the barriers newcomers face and the solutions which should be made.

-Danayal P.-

Border Angels

Photo by Greg Bulla on Unsplash

Border Angels is a non-profit organization that advocates for many rights. These include human rights, humane immigration reform and social justice, all with a focus on issues related to the US and Mexican border. Their mission states, “Border Angels promotes a culture of love through advocacy, education, by creating a social consciousness, and engaging in direct action to defend the rights of migrants and refugees,” (Border Angels, n.d.). This organization was established in 1986 and was originally targeting farmworker migrants living near North San Diego. It has now expanded and includes areas all along the Mexico and US border. Border Angles has lots to offer, their work includes conducting water drops in the desserts, reaching out to day laborers, providing legal representation to children in hopes of a green card, supporting migrant shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, free asylum seekers from detention centers, as well as providing educational programs and community presentations. The water drop program was started due to the US government implementing an Operation Gatekeeper, one of the most inhumane border enforcement policies. This policy caused the death of over 11,000 migrants as they would die from dehydration. The water drop program allows for the volunteers at Border Angels to leave thousands of gallons of water and non-perishable supplies in the desert along the most popular paths traveled by immigrants to aid in the health of the travelers. Border Angels also offers an extensive immigration service. They assist immigrants with the process of their citizenship by providing low cost and free legal services. This program has allowed them to raise awareness of migrants in the US as well as immigrant rights through the use of their educational resources that were developed by community members (Border Angels, n.d.).

-Kirstyn V.-

New York City IDNYC

IDNYC example card, image provided by the City of New York (n.d.)

New York city differs from the European examples largely due to the difference in where the threat to immigrants and refugees arose. While the United States accepts numerous newcomers from around the world, and even makes some allowances for those that have resided within its borders without going through proper immigration procedure - the DACA program initiated by the Obama administration as an example - changes in political power led to efforts to expel undocumented immigrants, and to become far more selective on which countries new immigrants could arrive from. This created problems as communities found that beloved and important members of those communities were part of those undocumented groups, while others formed important parts of the labour force, and some had never even known any other life. This situation forced a number of cities to become "sanctuary cities" and New York City was one of the more notable. To help with these difficulties, they instituted the IDNYC program which aimed to provide identification documents to everyone, from the poor to irregular migrants (Oliver, Dekker, Geuijen, & Broadhead et al., 2020). Though this program was not without its issues - incidents of federal officials using the documents to target undocumented immigrants are well known - it still proved invaluable to these same groups when used with civic agencies (Greenberg, 2018). These documents help those who normally cannot access any governmental services due to a lock of documentation, brought on not only by immigration status, but also by issues such as poverty. This touches keenly on several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty, inequality, economic growth and innovation to name a few. Access to identification is a key barrier to economic, social and political justice, as well as gaining the means to become properly employed and feed back into the economic systems that we all rely on.

So how might Calgary adapt this system? While our needs are not the same as New York - we do not have overtly anti-migration political leaders, in fact there is more sparring about resource allocation than anything else - there are still some clear benefits and ways that such a system could be implemented here. One primary highlight is that the cost of a government-issued ID can be prohibitive for those with lower incomes, especially if they are working multiple jobs in an attempt to make ends meet. For these people, the time it takes to go to a registrar and apply for an ID is more costly than the bill for the ID. At the same, the city already runs programs for low- income individuals in order for them to have reasonably priced access to public transit, which includes the ability to apply for a pass beyond the typical 9-5. This system could be rolled in with an ID system such that the bus pass becomes the ID, much as how the older UPass system works for post-secondary students. Should the city work with local partners, it could add extra functionality to the pass, and possibly expand availability. Picking up from the NYC example, the pass could also be a library card, as well as an access card for the city-owned leisure centres, folding many disparate functions into a single system while providing a basic governmental ID for places that require one, where a provincial ID would not be required. This could benefit not only migrant populations getting their start in Calgary by consolidating several civic functions, but it would also benefit the low income and youth populations as well.

-Jon A.-

Intercultural Gardens

Himmelbeet. [Image of Intercultural Garden]

Have you ever heard about an intercultural garden? How does the garden help to foster social connections and understanding within Immigrants?

Intercultural gardens, also known as community gardens or immigrant gardens, are spaces where people from diverse cultural backgrounds come together to cultivate plants, share knowledge, and build community. They are also a form of urban agriculture that can provide a valuable space for social interaction and community-building. By bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in a shared space, intercultural gardens can help to break down cultural barriers and promote understanding and respect. These gardens are a form of urban agriculture that can help to foster intercultural connections and promote social cohesion.

Intercultural gardens provide a space for people from different backgrounds to share their knowledge and skills, exchange recipes and cultural practices, and learn about different crops and growing techniques. They create opportunities for social interaction and communication, which can help to break down cultural barriers and build understanding and respect between different groups. It can also provide an opportunity for immigrants to practice and improve their English language skills in a supportive and welcoming environment. By participating in intercultural gardens, immigrants can engage in conversations with other gardeners, learn new gardening vocabulary, and practice their communication skills.

Intercultural gardens have been implemented in many cities around the world, and have been successful in promoting social integration and community-building. By bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in a shared space, intercultural gardens can foster a sense of belonging and promote cultural understanding. They represent a valuable resource for cities looking to create more inclusive and vibrant communities.

In addition to providing a space for social connection, intercultural gardens also have environmental and health benefits. They promote sustainable urban agriculture practices, reduce carbon emissions from transportation, and increase access to fresh, healthy food. They can also provide a source of physical exercise and stress relief for participants.

-Harsheen N.-

Helping Newcomers Navigate Their New Journey: The Neighborhood Mothers Program

Watkins, C. (n.d.). [Photo of a bus passing by Humboldt Forum in Berlin, a centre for culture and science]

For newcomers, the integration process is quite challenging, which frequently causes them to experience difficulties performing tasks that they are required to complete. So the question is: How might we assist newcomers in navigating daily activities while helping them feel like a part of our community? The Neighbourhood Mothers program in Berlin is a truly heartwarming and inspiring initiative to support immigrants' integration into the new community. The program trains “Neighbourhood Mothers” from various backgrounds by introducing them to all the opportunities and institutions for immigrant families, by visiting advisory and health centers, and even district offices. Following these experiences, "Neighborhood Mothers" chat to several families and assist them with basic tasks including communicating with the children's teachers, accompanying family members to appointments, helping them with completing out required paperwork, directing them to various resources, and much more. Programs such as this could be an integral part of a newcomers’ life that would help them integrate into society while feeling connected to a part of their home back home.

-Melanie B.-

Lisbon - A City of Community, Empowerment, and Celebration

Bonnaire, P. (2020, February 2). Interior of the Time Out Market, Lisbon, Portugal [Photograph]. Pexels.

Programs for newcomers can be valuable for those who are adjusting to a new city or country. These programs can provide various services, including language training, job search assistance, cultural events, and social inclusion support. They can help newcomers feel more comfortable and confident as they navigate their new surroundings.

Around the world, there are many programs available for newcomers and immigrants, however, one program that stood out to me during my research was the Lisbon Project, created by Gabriela Faria. This project stood out to me because it was able to grow into an organization through a group of volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of newcomers in their community. It is a community that focuses on empowering and celebrating newcomers as they begin a new journey in a new country.

I think that it is important for cities to acknowledge the feelings and emotions that newcomers face. I believe that the city of Calgary could do more to create opportunities to welcome newcomers and celebrate milestones to help build and maintain a positive and inclusive community.

-Marisa W.-

California Dreaming

Photo Credit : Andrii Ganzevych on Unsplash

An exemplar city is a model that municipal governments can follow when faced with a wide variety of challenges but is still flexible, scalable and adaptable for stakeholders. When I read this definition I knew exactly which city I researched was the most exemplary of them all, San Jose California. San Jose has taken the whole newcomer experience and increased their participation tenfold. Having a club that helps you find a sense of belonging and help you discover the city with group outings, I feel it is something that should be introduced in Calgary. The fact that this club helps newcomers connect with others from their community is just outstanding. I feel like this is something that newcomers are always looking for, a sense of belonging, connection, and being able to find services that can help them succeed in their journey.

-Jordan P.-