Good Ideas from Cities of Migration

Note: Since this Good Idea was originally published, the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration has retired the project and site and created a tribute page to it.

They have made some of the site resources available:

• Download 325 Good Idea profiles, collected from 160 cities in 25 different countries
• Download an archive of their newsletter, Conversations on Integration
• Download their collection of "thought leadership" essays - Building Inclusive Cities

Summary of Cities of Migration

Best practice. Promising practice. There are many ways to name something that you think might be useful to know about in your work. Perhaps knowing about it might inspire you. It might even encourage you to replicate it. I've always liked the way the Cities of Migration project named the projects they kept an eye on as Good Ideas in Integration: "At its most basic, a Good Idea in integration is any program, activity or strategy that has made a difference in the successful integration of migrants in city-life. In this process, the city and all its residents have also benefited with increased social cohesion, greater urban prosperity and the richness that cultural diversity affords all communities."

The site has collected dozens, if not hundreds, of Good Ideas since 2009. The projects are mainly from the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, along with Australia and New Zealand. They're organized into five core themes:

1. Work: Good Ideas relating to employment, labour force integration and the economic contribution of migrants to the city.
2. Live: Good Ideas that contribute to successful settlement, housing and the day-to-day lives of migrants in the city.
3. Learn: Good Ideas for language learning and the educational needs of immigrants and their families.
4. Connect. Good Ideas on the civic participation of migrants in city life and cross-cultural understanding between migrants and the broader community.
5. Plan: Good Ideas in urban planning, built form, and infrastructure design, including strategic planning and local environmental initiatives.

Most recently, they've added a number of new portals to their Good Ideas in these areas:

• The Immigrant Futures project explores the challenges and opportunities of immigrant attraction and retention in small, medium and regional communities in Canada in an age of global migration.
• The Municipal Leadership section spotlights good ideas about what local governments can do to build inclusive, resilient communities and accelerate the integration of urban newcomers.
• The Refugee Portal connects you to promising practices on the reception, settlement and inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in cities around the world.
• The Living Together collection showcases innovative local practices that promote social inclusion, participation and intercultural dialogue.

Good Ideas are generally text write-ups with useful background and project information, along with contact info if you want to follow up to connect or learn more. But Cities of Migration has a vast archive of webinars presented by Good Idea projects in their Learning Exchange. The Learning Exchange is a great place to take an even deeper dive into themes and Good Ideas, presented by the people who created and work on them.

If you've never explored Cities of Migration I strongly encourage you to. Dive into the Good Ideas. Set up some lunch and learns with colleagues to view a Learning Exchange session. Here's one I recommend:

Immigrant Futures Forum: Designing a Welcoming Economy

Experts from Canada and the U.S will share research, local experience and great ideas for how cities can leverage the potential of immigrant talent and contribution to benefit both newcomers and receiving communities.