What exactly does it mean to be a welcoming and inclusive community, particularly in regards to immigrants?
It turns out that this isn’t an easy question to answer. Firstly, each of us (both newcomers and Canadians) has a unique view of what would be welcoming and inclusive.
Secondly, our research suggests that to be truly welcoming and inclusive one needs to take into account all aspects of life – finding work commensurate with each person’s skills, living in community with the multiple cultural groups that live in Surrey, day to day personal interactions and relationships, success in school, places for seniors to experience community and friends (and culturally appropriate care when needed), and so on.
Finally, our research indicates that being welcoming and inclusive is more than an attitude or philosophy (although those are important too!); it requires a broad range of proactive, concrete actions on the part of the school system, civic government, businesses, community organizations, the healthcare system and yes, each and every one of us.
In 2010 the Surrey Foundation and our community partners carried out the following five research projects that explore creating a welcoming and inclusive community. We hope you find them interesting and useful.
Changes Faces of Surrey Report
Did you know that in 2006 BC received twice as many Temporary Residents, mostly temporary foreign workers and students, as Permanent Residents? And that the number of Temporary Residents coming to BC doubled from 2006 to 2008? How about the fact that the number of Permanent Class Refugees coming to BC declined by 35% from 2004 to 2008?
Being welcoming and inclusive has to start with a clear understanding of who is coming to Canada, BC and Surrey, important trends, etc. This report provides that analysis based on the most current Stats Can data available at the time (mostly 2008).
Diverse Threads: Creating a Stronger Community Fabric in Surrey
This easy to read, wide ranging report synthesizes 65 documents - mostly research papers prepared by Canada’s premier experts. It builds the case for why we need to pay attention to creating inclusive communities and helping newcomers reach their personal & economic potential and explores the perspectives and strategies required on the part of newcomers, government, the community and each of us in order to create an inclusive community.
Diverse Voices: Creating a Stronger Community Fabric in Surrey
This easy to read, wide ranging report synthesizes 65 documents - mostly research papers prepared by Canada’s premier experts. It builds the case for why we need to pay attention to creating inclusive communities and helping newcomers reach their personal & economic potential and explores the perspectives and strategies required on the part of newcomers, government, the community and each of us in order to create an inclusive community.
Surrey Based Best Practice Reflections
It is one thing to talk about ideas and strategies that contribute to creating a welcoming & inclusive community; it can be quite another to implement these strategies ‘on the ground’ today, here in Surrey. In fact a number of organizations in Surrey have garnered excellent reputations for doing exactly that. This document gathers their reflections about what they’re doing and why it is important. Here’s an opportunity to read about best practices being implemented in the Surrey Public Library, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey RCMP, Alexandra Neighbourhood House, OPTIONS Community Services Society, City of Surrey Community Leisure Services and the South Fraser Women’s Services Society.
Perspectives from Parents Utilizing the Surrey Family Resource Centres
This report explores the important role that the Family Resource Centres play by breaking the cycle of isolation and loneliness many newcomer parents of young children find themselves in and by getting their children off to a good start in terms of learning English and essential socialization and other skills that prepare them for success in school. This study provides some key learnings with regards to creating a welcoming and inclusive community - yet again demonstrating that proactive, practical action can clearly make a life changing, life long difference.