Thought-provoking paper on migration

This thought-provoking Challenge Paper:

• outlines recent and forecast trends in inward migration to Northern Ireland and its economic and social impact
• identifies issues related to the effective integration of an increasingly diverse population
• identifies key actionable public policy recommendations for Government, public authorities and other relevant agencies on how to plan and provide creatively for a more diverse Northern Ireland.

It argues that the experience of sustained large-scale inward migration "should now convince policy-makers that forward planning is central if the pressures and inequalities that follow are not to become a cause of sustained community conflict".

It makes a number of recommendations for public policy, including for the forthcoming Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future, in relation to the impact of economic policies, monitoring, language policy, and the inclusion of community and voluntary sector in policy development.

The report is intended to influence public policy and service provision. It is therefore of interest to policy makers and all organisations which have a public service focus. The issues that it raises aim to stimulate debate as to whether existing policies and practices affecting equality of opportunity and good relations remain relevant in a rapidly changing, more diverse Northern Ireland.

New Migration, Equality and Integration - Issues and Challenges for Northern Ireland is available for download from the Commission's website - www.equalityni.org.

This report is also available from the Commission in other formats, on request.