EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Integrating at a distance

Integrating at a distance - The Hague

Introduction

The aim of the project Remote Integration is to expedite the integration process of newcomers, or newly arrived immigrants, who have (young) children. The provision of computer facilities for newcomers facilitates a profitable and successful integration. An additional benefit is that newcomers and their children acquire computer skills.

Problem

In what manner can the integration process of newcomers with children be expedited?

Description

Newcomers with (young) children are usually placed in programmes where they do not receive very intensive language lessons. With the project Remote integration, in addition to the regular integration classes at the Mondriaan College of Education, participants are provided with a computer, printer and an Internet connection at home. In this way, they can do extra language exercises at home which help them to learn the language more quickly.

Approach

In addition to increasing language levels, the project aims to increase the participants’ computer skills. Participants learn skills like using the Internet, e-mail and working with Word. Their view of the world can be enlarged by introduction to the Internet. Learning how to operate a computer increases the chances of successful integration, not only for the participants but also for their children.

Special software is installed on the computer for the children so that they can also use the computer at home. The small children become familiar with the computer by playing games and the larger children make use of it to surf the Internet or do schoolwork. In this way, the project can make a positive contribution to the development of the children of newcomers.

Results

Since its inception, four course groups have taken part in the project.
Two more groups started in the second half of 2005.
The four groups who finished the integration programme were offered a (used) computer from ICT Totaal for a token amount of €25.
Casema has offered the participants an Internet connection at a reduced rate.

Contact info

City of The Hague
N. de Jong, tel. +31 70 3026063

Project start date

01/09/2003

Links

City of The Hague

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Skills improvement