JDC's Center for International Migration and Integration Shares Best Practices with Fifteen Countries

Twenty-six migration policy makers and professionals representing fifteen countries from around the world convened in Israel to participate in a 17-day course in July offered by CIMI, JDC's Center for International Migration and Integration.

"Immigration is a world issue. It is almost always headline news," explains Arnon Mantver, JDC-Israel's Director General and Chairman of CIMI, of the importance of the effort. "Today, there is an increasing awareness that integration is an important global challenge."

"This is the launch of a dream," explains Danny Pins, Head of JDC-Israel's Immigrant Integration, Employment and Entrepreneurship Division, who, together with Mantver, aspired to turn this dream into reality.

"There is so much to learn from Israel's experience," explains Pins. Indeed: in the State's first decade, over 1,000,000 immigrants from tens of countries and cultures were absorbed, fed, clothed and housed. During the 1990's, this feat was repeated, with Israel's absorption of another million plus immigrants, primarily from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.

Located in Jerusalem, CIMI was founded by JDC for the purpose of sharing Israel's extensive knowledge in the realm of migration, immigration and integration. "We want to set up a network where professionals from around the world can consult, develop new programs and learn from each other," adds Pins.

CIMI took major steps towards achieving this goal when it sponsored the international course in Jerusalem, the first of its kind, entitled "Migration and Integration for Development: From Policy to Practice". The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were partners in this endeavor.

Participants, professionals who work with immigrants, refugees, foreign workers, returning nationals and internally displaced persons, hailed from Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Balkans and Africa. The course also provided an opportunity for Israeli practitioners to benefit from the expertise of the participants.

Israel was used as a "laboratory" for studying best practices of immigrant integration. Insight into Israeli governmental and municipal approaches was provided through visits, including to Ben Gurion Airport to observe the initial reception of immigrants. To gain an understanding of JDC's work in Israel, participants visited the JDC-founded network of Small Business Development Centers (MATI), met with "liaisons" who serve as a bridge between cultures, and met with Buchari immigrant leadership program participants. Such visits to successful JDC immigrant integration programs and meetings with JDC professionals in this realm shed light on JDC's and Israel's unique approach to immigration and their challenges as well as achievements in this realm.

"I can see that JDC is a special organization and that the work it does truly makes a difference," noted Hoon-Kun from South Korea, as he shared his impressions of JDC's work.

The participants will use their newfound professional expertise to benefit communities in their countries of origin. "The program has given me so many ideas of projects to be implemented in El Salvador," noted Celia, a migration professional from Central America.

Just as important, the conference left a lasting and positive impression of a people and a nation previously unfamiliar to them. Krisztina shared her feelings upon her return to her native Hungary: "I have to mention how wonderful and strong an experience it was to be and learn in Israel - both professionally and personally. I can't stop thinking of Jerusalem, the streets, the people and our team, the people we got to know, the life of the country. I don't have the words to express to my acquaintances how I felt there, and how I feel now."

"What so impressed me was the sense of nationhood of the Israeli people," shares Liza from the Philippines. "The spirit of oneness is so strong, that it seems as if anything is possible. I hope one day that the people of the Philippines reach that point, gathering together and becoming as one."