Advisory board for ethnic relations ETNO

Peter KariukiSecretary-General

The conference takes place in the framework of the Project „Capacity building of NGOs representing third country nationals” that is financed by the European Fund for Third Country

nationals (with 75% of funding coming from the Fund, and 25% from Latvian state budget).

Mandate

• to promote good ethnic relations and equality, as well as mutual interaction and cooperation in all areas of immigration and integration policy

• to provide expert assistance to the ministries in the development of immigration policy

• to help promote organizational activities among immigrants

• to disseminate information on immigration policy, ethnic diversity and increase awareness on these issues

In retrospect

• First advisory board established in 1970.• Establishment of the advisory board for refugee

affairs in 1981.• Establishment of PAKSI in 1992 saw the

beginning of the third stage of consultative work.• Formation of ETNO in its current form in 1998.– Self-representation of immigrant, ethnic and

religious communities, both old and new– 2011 saw the expansion of ETNO through the

increase of regional boards

Organisation

• The 33 member board is comprised of:• 5 key ministries;

– Ministry of the Interior– Ministry of education and Culture– Foreign Ministry– Ministry of Health of Social Affairs– Ministry of Labour and the Economy

• 8 political parties currently in parliament,• 1 Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities• 1 Employer and employee unions (3 unions)• 7 regional boards• 10 representatives of registered ethnic, migrant or

religious associations or societies.

Advisory board for ethnic relations ETNO

Chairs of the board

SECRETARIAT

ETNO WORKING DIVISION

Workgroup for religious and cultural dialogue

Northern Finland advisory board

Southern Finland advisory board

Central Finland and Pirkanmaa region advisory board

Lappland region advisory board

Western Finland advisory board

Eastern Finland advisory board

Communications workgroup

Ostrobothnia region advisory board

REGIONAL

BOARDS

Secretariat and regional co-ordinators meetings

Goodwill ambassadors

• Federation of multicultural associations in Joensuu JOMONI

• Our Finland is international association• The umbrella organisation for multicultural women's’

associations• Federation of multicultural associations in the capital

region MONIHELI • Finnish Afghan association• Finnish Islamic council SINE• Federation of multicultural associations in western

Finland SONDIP• Finnish multicultural sports federation FIMU• Somali federation • Federation of Russian speaking associations FARO

Permanent and invited expert members

• Finnish Islamic congregation (Tatar community)

• Helsinki Jewish congregation• Ombudsman for minorities

_________________________________• Finnish ecumenical council SEN• The Finnish league for Human rights

Examples of issues…

• Government’s Integration programme 2012-2015– Consultation during preparatory process– Consultation of regional advisory boards– Agreement on consultation during

implementation• Finland’s human rights action programme– Consultation during preparatory process– ETNO’s recommendations on measurement

mechanism• ETNO’s initiative to the government on the issue

of burial grounds for people of Islamic faith