Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

ATCR – Engaging the Media PlenaryChris Friesen

July 3, 2013

SWCP Context

City of Surrey, BC (pop 502,000 - 2013)

• One of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada – over 1,000 new residents arrive each month• 2010-2012 – over 550 resettled refugees• 1 out of every 3 resettled refugees destined to BC settles in Surrey every year

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Surrey - Places of Birth

2006 2011 2011

Place of Origin Tot Imm Pop Place of Birth Tot Imm Pop Place of Birth Rec Imm Pop

India 52,640 India 70,680 India 14,210

Philippines 12,635 Philippines 20,240 Philippines 5,700

United Kingdom 11,110 China 10,570 China 2,955

Fiji 8,585 United Kingdom 10,125 South Korea 1,325

South Korea 5,725 Fiji 8,545 Taiwan 1,165

China PR 5,220 South Korea 6,165 Pakistan 1,010

Viet Nam 5,075 Taiwan 6,095 United States 810

Taiwan 4,940 Viet Nam 5,165 United Kingdom 610

Pakistan 3,825 Pakistan 4,320 Iraq 485

Unites States 3,430 Unites States 3,735 Sri Lanka 295

Other Countries 37,050 Other Countries 52,775 Other Countries 6,310

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

SWCP Goals

The Surrey Welcoming Communities Project – a one year initiative designed to increase the capacity of the Community to support the Integration of New Immigrants and refugees by:

• improving access to Community services; • supporting the development of intercultural

relationships and mutual trust; • supporting welcoming and inclusive

workplaces; • creating welcoming and inclusive spaces in the

Community

“Integration is a two-way process, which involves commitment on the part of Immigrants and Refugees to adapt to life in Canada and on the part of Canadians to welcome and adapt to new people and cultures.”

June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

SWCC Membership -25 bodies

1. City of Surrey (lead agency)2. Immigrant and Refugee Serving

Agencies3. Mainstream Social Service

Agencies4. Regional Health Authority5. Post Secondary Institutions6. The Surrey Board of Trade

7. SurreyCares (Surrey Foundation)

8. Surrey Museum9. Surrey Libraries – 9 Branches10. Surrey Parks, Recreation &

Culture11. Surrey RCMP 12. Surrey School District

June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

“Broad base and inclusive membership representing all areas of civic society”

SWCC Membership

June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

SWCC Initiatives

Eight (8) main components – one year multi-pronged, systemic approach

1. Surrey Youth Conference2. Youth Led Welcoming Communities Social

Media Project3. Welcoming Spaces and Places Reviews4. Employer and Business Presentations and

Forums

June 11, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

SWCC Initiatives … continued

5. Service Provider Welcoming Communities Events

6. Welcoming Communities Dialogues Inspired by Cooking and Food

7. Public Exhibitions of Refugee Cultures8. Refugee Myth Busting Campaign – Public

Education Initiative

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

• Engaging local media in stories of refugees – 4 times in 12 months – launched June 20 to 84,000 households

• Launch of Global Voices newsletter• Promotion of key messages – refugees as

resilient, having assets, resettlement as a humanitarian program, settlement challenges, social and labour market integration successes

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign ...Continued

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

• Surrey Leader Article – June 20, 2013

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

• Launch of Global Voices newsletter – quarterly basis

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

Public Education System• Developing 20 refugee youth led workshops

for administrators, teachers, counsellors and other support staff

Mapping out resettled refugee settlement patterns for planning and resource allocation purposes

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

• Where do resettled refugees live in Surrey?

• Map: City of Surrey – Government Assisted Refugees - 2010-2012

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

Surrey Public Library – 9 branches• Public education campaign in all branches

around World Refugee Day• Engage local residents to read more about

refugees through both fiction and non fiction – suggested reading list

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

Refugee Myth Busting Campaign

Conclusion• Sustained multi-pronged approach involving

key community stakeholders and institutions• Leadership from Mayor and Council key• Consistent messages and use of images• Engage media early on with key

communication messages – take the time to provide the larger, international context

• Engage refugees through informed consent

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project

SWCC Resources

• www.getintheknow.ca

• www.wicsurrey.org/

July 3, 2013 Surrey Welcoming Communities Project