How can you bring native-born Dutch people into contact with the immigrant communities in order to promote integration?

At the request of the City of Delft, the Mondriaan Education Group has compiled the course 'Assimilating the other way around' and offered it to the residents of Delft. During this course, interested people can become acquainted with the Turkish and Moroccan language and culture. The City of Delft considers these courses to be a good way for native-born Dutch people and the immigrant communities to come into contact with one another, creating understanding for other cultures and promoting the integration process.

The courses are taught by an instructor from the Mondriaan Education Group and a volunteer with a Turkish or Moroccan background. The course deals with making contact, customs and habits, food, history, politics and religion and the participants receive lessons in Turkish or Moroccan. The course is made up of six weekly lessons, and is free of charge.

The motives for participation are very diverse. Some see it as a way to reinforce their contact with their Moroccan or Turkish neighbours. Others work with Turkish or Moroccan colleagues and see this course as a good opportunity to learn more about their colleagues' language and customs.

City of Delft
The Netherlands
Inge Guffens, tel. 0031 15 2195360

01/10/2004

case

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration