EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - The Moroccan neighbourhood fathers

The Moroccan neighbourhood fathers

Introduction

The overall objective of the Moroccan Fathers is to improve quality of life and reinforce social cohesion.

Problem

The overall objective of the Moroccan Fathers is to improve quality of life and reinforce social cohesion. They know the neighbourhood well and can pick up on problems much faster than local government. From the view of the Moroccan Fathers, they feel responsibility for the neighbourhood.

How can the system of using Moroccan fathers be adapted to other towns and cities?

Description

The 'Neighbourhood Moroccan Fathers Project' developed in 1999. This was in reaction to a confrontation between the police and the population as a consequence of riots in 1998 during which the neighbourhood became for a time a "no-go-area".

Research agency B&A and the city of Amsterdam jointly took the initiative to describe the methodology of using Moroccan fathers to improve neighbourhood safety. In addition to tips and practical information, the study gives insight into how new initiatives can be supported and how a project such as the neighbourhood fathers can be started up.

Approach

Examples of situations:

Encounters with young people, residents and passers-by: the idea is that the neighbourhood fathers are trusted by young people and can therefore give them advice which will not be rejected out of hand.
Nuisance caused by young people: the neighbourhood fathers approach rowdy young people and engage them in dialogue.
Crimes or dangerous conflict situations: where the neighbourhood fathers witness criminal activity they contact the police. In practice this has the effect of producing a swift police response.
Identifying potential sources of unease or insecurity: if a street lamp is not working, for example, this will be communicated to the neighbourhood director, who will then see to it that the fault is remedied.

Results

The main achievement of the project is that not only inhabitants of Moroccan origin, but also Dutch inhabitants recognise and call on the Moroccan Fathers to deal with neighbourhood issues.

Fathers form the neighbourhood patrol in groups of two to six. Each group has at least one mobile phone. The duty fathers meet at around 7pm and the first patrol leaves about an hour later. They return after about an hour and a new team sets out at around 11pm.

Resources used

Personal networks, networks of community-based organisations, co-operation with City Council Amsterdam. Interviews.

Contact info

Research agency B&A
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone: 0031703029500
info@bagroep.nl
http://www.bagroep.nl/

Project start date

18/02/2004

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation