This project aims to build and/or strengthen the intercultural capacity of specialists working in the police or migration departments with TCN’s.
In the project, IOM Vilnius Office initiated a two-stage learning process (16 academic hours) for the target group of specialists:
1. An e-learning program with 2 theoretical modules:
- Legal aspects of residence of TCN’s in Lithuania (International and EU conventions, National legislation);
- Cultural aspects of specific ethno-geographical zones.
2. Practical module on psychological methods of working with TCN’s. These modules aim to initiate the auto-reflection process of the targeted specialists in order to raise their awareness of the importance of intercultural communication skills and provide them with the lacking information and methods that would help them to improve the quality of their services accorded to TCN’s.
Project Goal
Lithuania’s population was homogeneous for many years, but the country is now witnessing growing flows of TCN’s. According to the statistics of the Migration Department, the number of TCN’s, having a temporary permit to reside in Lithuania in 2012 grew by 18% comparing to 2011. Specialists from Governmental, Non-Governmental and Private sectors have now more contact with the TCN’s. The lack of intercultural communication skills or knowledge that some specialists from these sectors might demonstrate leads to misunderstandings or conflict situations with TCN’s.
According to a survey carried out by The Social Information Centre in 2012 on the quality of services to third-country students residing in Lithuania, the services of the medical institutions, the police and the migration services were evaluated as the worse sectors. The participants highlighted the bad quality of services accorded by police officers: they were described as intolerant and inconsiderate to the TCN’s.
This project aims to change the current situation by building and/or strengthening the intercultural capacity of specialists working in the police or migration departments with TCN’s. Although the stocks of TCN’s residing in Lithuania are growing, the specialists of police and migration departments directly working with this group of clients at times demonstrate intolerance or insufficient knowledge about other cultures. They are also often unaware of the possible impact of their lack of intercultural communication skills on TCN’s they work with. In addition, the governmental bodies often do not have the necessary tools, information and experience that would allow them to build the capacity of their specialists to work with this group of clients. These statements are based on the previous contact with specialists from various governmental institutions during the implementation of trainings in the field of capacity building of specialists working with victims of counter- trafficking, TCN’s and/or their families and kids.
Who benefits
- Specialists working in the police and the state’s migration services
- Third countries nationals interacting with these specialists
How it works
Police and migration departments’ officers participating in this project at the first stage had to go through the e-learning programme’s theoretical modules and pass the evaluation tests. After getting the minimum required number of points, the specialist got a certificate that allowed him/her to participate in a practical training session.
The e-learning method was selected for its efficiency, low-cost and continuity. In addition, this learning form took into consideration the lack of time that specialists might have because of their workflow and it adapts the learning process to their needs. Besides these factors, the e-learning is one of the most innovative tools that can not only be attractive and interactive, but also useful in the long term. This is very important, as the specialists in the above mentioned departments keep rotating.
Results
After the practical module on psychological methods which included simulated situations, participants often declared that they had the chance to see how intolerant and inconsiderate they could be in certain intercultural interactions and how vital it was to improve their intercultural communication skills as well as to work on their attitude towards the TCN’s.
Evaluation
Since the project is based on training sessions, the feedback of participants after each session is vital, in order to come out with recommendations to organize the next sessions.
The evaluation process was internal, realized in 3 forms:
- on-site observation of the participants during the practical training sessions;
- short verbal evaluation (in group) of the individual experience of each participant;
- e-survey made of questions that participants answered anonymously after each session about the practical training as well as the e-modules.
A final internal evaluation was done in collaboration with the partner in order to evaluate the training sessions and the e-modules based on the feedback of experts, participants and the partners. This came out with recommendations useful for future capacity building projects.
Funding and resources
This project was implemented under the European Integration Fund 2012 annual programme based on the common basic principles for immigration integration policy in the European Union. The training programme for PO contributed to developing the access for immigrants to institutions and public services on a basis equal to national citizens and in a non-discriminatory way is a critical foundation for better integration.
About this good practice
- Project dates
- -
- Geographic area
- Lithuania
- City
- Different cities in Lithuania
- Organisation
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vilnius Office; The Police Department under the Ministry of Interior in the Republic of Lithuania
- Contact person
- Rita Augutienė
- Position
- Project Manager
Details
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