www.citiesofmigration.ca

OMEGA is a participant of Cities of Migration, an international project to showcase good practice in the integration of urban immigrants, and to promote innovative ideas that create equity, social cohesion and urban prosperity.  This project is funded by the Maytree Foundation in Canada with partners in Germany and the UK as well as NZ.

The goal of Cities of Migration is to help cities learn from each other, and become a catalyst for city-level leadership on immigration issues internationally.  The project seeks to improve local integration practice in major immigrant receiving cities worldwide, by providing accessible information about promising local practices that are innovative, practical and exportable.  It does this via a website and webinars.

The website may be found at www.citiesofmigration.ca.  It will eventually offer over '100 Good Ideas in Integration' (in English, German and French) and currently profiles successful initiatives, including several from New Zealand.  Under the themes of Live, Work, Learn, Connect and Plan, it is intended that website users will find integration ideas that can be adapted locally or inspire new thinking.  If you know of a successful, local initiative that promotes positive integration between immigrants and locals please contact the New Zealand co-ordinator, Anusha Vishnampet by phone or email using our contact us form.

Alongside the 'Good Ideas', Cities of Migration organises webinars on a variety of topics. In July 2009, along with its Canadian partners, OMEGA hosted an international webinar, entitled “Fulfilling the Promise: Integrating Immigrant Skills into the Urban Economy”.  More details on this, and also how to participate in future webinars is available from Cities of Migration: Calendar of Events.

OMEGA also looks at best practice on a local level.  OMEGA’s Best Practice Forum works with businesses and organisations to improve workplace practice with regard to the recruitment, integration and retention of skilled immigrants.