Major Challenges | Growing fear of loosing national identity because of decreasing traditional identity building caracteristics. Only 60 % of the population speeks Luxembourgish, while French (together with German - the second of two official languages) and English seem to take over even in every day life. Large minority group of Portuguese, which is not sufficiently recognized. Increasing number of racism and xenophobia incidents, especially against Africans and Muslims. School system is considered elitist and discriminatory (PISA study). |
Main Interpretations | Following French universalist model, highlighting the "treasure of cultural diversity". |
No general authority, but several main actors in the field of ICD, including NGOs, institutions and ministries/ public authorities.
Policies: Law project on dual nationality and new Immigration Law (to be voted upon in 2008).
Liaison Committee of Foreigners' Associations (Comité de Liaison des Associations d'Etrangers - CLAE)
(http://www.clae.lu/)
Association platform fighting for equal rights of all residents, recognition and valorisation of immigrant cultures, and an open-minded and solidaric policy. Through agreement with the Ministries of Family and Culture, CLAE carries out important work on the ground by providing intercultural events, information services, support to community work, and social and cultural mediation.
Association of Support for Migrant Workers (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés - ASTI)
(http://www.asti.lu/)
With different projects and subservices, e.g the Intercultural Agency (Agence culturelle) and the Centre for documentation and intercultural animation (CDAIC) (http://www.cdaic.lu/)
CDAIC is under the supervision of the National Education Ministry and the City of Luxembourg (see below) and managed by ASTI.
EX: FER project, coordinated by ASTI, consisting of different branches: Go4Lunch (food prepared and delivered to homes by asylum seekers), Go4work (support for asylum seekers to access the labour market), Go4Culture (mentorship for African musicians) and Go4Craft (favours a cultural perspective and links with Luxembourgish population).
EYID-coordination body:
Ministry of Culture
(http://www.mcesr.public.lu/)
The Strategy will show three priorities: 1. to increase the cultural attractiveness of Luxemburg in order to encourage cross-border workers to prolong their stay after work; 2. to encourage encounters and exchange between the different communities living in Luxemburg; 3. To promote intergenerational meetings (for younger and older people).
Ministry of Culture (Ministère de la Culture)
(http://www.mcesr.public.lu/)
Luxembourg et Grande Région, Capitale européenne de la culture 2007
(http://www.luxembourg2007.org/)
For the first time the European Capital of Culture is on a transborder territory : the ‘Grand Region' (composed of the French Lorraine, Luxemburg, two German Länder - Saarland and Rheinland-Pfalz - the Belgian Wallony and the French and German-speaking Belgium). Migration has been chosen as a leitmotiv for the cultural events taking place in the framework of the year.
PLUS: Luxembourg strives for a high profile and prestige as a place for encounters and reflection on universal (cultural, social, political) trends and their implications for societies and humanity.
EX:
Ministry of National Education and Professional Training (Ministère de l'Education nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle)
(http://www.men.public.lu/)
EX: Cultural mediation in schools.
Centre for documentation and intercultural animation (CDAIC) (see 1.)
(http://www.cdaic.lu/)
Produces educational material and organises activities for ICE.
National Youth Service within the Ministry of Family and Integration (Ministère de la Famille et de l'intégration)
(http://www.snj.public.lu/)
Youth Websites:
http://www.youth.lu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=49
Internet websites presenting relevant information on news, events, relevant links and organisations; job offers for young people and a platform for job announcements; training schemes and information for professionals working with young people etc. Special attention given to the concerns of immigrants and intercultural encounters.
Sports Department within the Ministry of National Education and Professional Training (see 3.)
(http://www.men.lu/)
So far, no ICD-related policy or activities (minority groups not considered as such, partially due to universalist approach, as mentioned above).
CIVIL SOCIETY (EX):
Caritas Luxembourg
‘Passe-Partout - L'Intégration en application' (Integration through Training)
(http://www.caritas.lu/index.php?include=communique&communique=260&click=news)
Organising sports events with participation of refugees and asylum seekers. Caritas tries to integrate members of these target groups in the existing sports organisations, e.g. by encouraging them to join the sports events organised by the municipalities.
Commissariat de Gouvernement aux Etrangers within the Ministry of Family and Integration (see 4.)
(http://www.cge.etat.lu/)
Ville de Luxembourg
(http://www.vdl.lu/)
CIVIL SOCIETY :
NGOs and other initiatives of the civil society are of special importance, such as charity organisations and churches, e.g. Caritas and Red Cross, working on a neighbourhood level with a bottom-up approach.
Ministry of Culture - Service des Relations Internationales et avec l'UE
(http://www.mcesr.public.lu/)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.mae.lu/) with the Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Development Cooperation.
