CONFERENCE PROJECTS

Conference: THE SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS IN MARYLAND: A NEW COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

The conference was a partnership effort of the Social Integration and Community Development Association, Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees, Asian Studies Program of the University of Maryland and the GRL (Global, Regional, Local) Development.

AGENDA (downloadable pdf version)

The conference was held on September 22nd, 2009 (Tuesday) in the Governor Calvert House (58 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401). It is a joint effort of the following organizations: Social Integration and Community Development Association (SICDA), Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees of the Government of Maryland, Asian American Studies Program of the University of Maryland and the GRL (Global, Regional, Local) Development LLC.

The conference’s goal is to influence policies in the area of immigrants’ integration into the economy, labor market, state institutions and communities to benefit the comprehensive socio-economic development of the region. These sessions were aiming also at recognizing the necessity of policy improvements in area of supporting English proficiency of the newcomers. Lastly, the conference aims at underlining the importance of welcoming communities and the social culture for the integration process.

The Conference was second in the series of conferences devoted to the issues of immigration to the United States. First conference was held in Washington. D.C. (Phillips Collection) on October 10th, 2008 with more than 200 participants and 18 speakers exploring the influence of the immigration policies of the United States on the country’s social and economic development.

Best practices were shared and themes were examined that link the efforts of governmental, non-governmental, academic and business sector interests related to immigrants’ social integration. We explored a comprehensive, development-based approach to managing the challenges of social integration and the benefits to local and national structures to improve our sustainable social and economic development. We hope the conference marked a new beginning in thinking about social integration and its role in the wider goals of the host communities on local and regional scales.

These vital topics arise also in light of the Maryland Governor’s recent establishment of a council composed of experts on newcomers’ issues to improve related policies in our State. The central issues are also relevant given Maryland’s growing ethnic diversity. And it is a benefit to the local economy to explore the topic since Maryland has one of the largest populations of highly skilled immigrant workers in the United States. Thanks to further improvements in its policies, the State of Maryland can play a leading role among U.S. states.

This conference project shall make an important step in advancing efforts of all newcomers and their organizations, local, state and federal governments and governmental agencies, service providers, businesses and people and organizations working towards their support having a common goal in the prosperity and socio-economic development of United States and its citizens.

The meeting was attended by service providers working with the newcomers as well as representatives of all organizations and institutions (both governmental and non-governmental) dealing with immigrants in Maryland and neighboring states as well as researchers and business owners. For technical information and the conference webpages, visit: www.sicda.org.

Clickable agenda is below (please note that links will take you to the www.sicda.org webpage, to go back to www.grldevelopment.net pages please click "go back" button in your browser.

FULL CONFERENCE MATERIAL CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE

09.15	Registration & Coffee
10.00	General Session One (10.00 am to 12.00 pm) *Chair: Dr. Martin Ford,* Associate Director, Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees [VIDEO]
1	INTRODUCTION Prof. Nicholas Kittrie, University Professor, American University; Chairman, Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO]; Dr. Maria Cseh, Director of the Human and Organizational Learning Doctoral Program, The George Washington University; Vice Chair, Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO]; *Dr. Margot Gotzmann*, President, Social Integration and Community Development Association; President, GRL (Global Regional, Local) Development [VIDEO]
1	Presentation of the Report of the Maryland Council for New Americans and Recommendations to the Governor Isiah Leggett, County Executive, Montgomery County [VIDEO]
1	Heritage Languages Project and Social Integration of Immigrants James C. Rosapepe, Senator, Member of the New Americans Caucus, Maryland State Senate [VIDEO]
1	The Metropolis Project: Bridging Policy and Research on the Social Integration of Newcomers *Uttara Chauhan*, Senior Analyst, Metropolis Project, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Government of Canada [PPT] [VIDEO]
1	American Social Culture and the Quest for Social Integration of Newcomers – Human Development Perspective *Dr. Margot Gotzmann*, President, Social Integration and Community Development Association; President, GRL (Global Regional, Local) Development [PPT] [VIDEO]
1	Profile of Immigrant Workers, Families, and Children in Maryland *Karina Fortuny*, Research Associate II, Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population, The Urban Institute [PPT] [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2]
1	Discussion
12.00	Lunch
12.45	Concurrent Panel Sessions (12.45 pm to 03.15 pm): SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN PRACTICE – 6L APPROACH (Language & Labor, Lawfulness & Loyalty, Location & Life)
Panel Session A Language and Labor (12.45 pm to 03.15 pm) (Organization of Education. Diversity and Flexibility or Programs) full videos from this session: [VIDEO1] [VIDEO3] *Chair:* Adam Ortiz, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State of Maryland
PANEL PRESENTATIONS (approx. 10 minutes per presentation):
A	Role of Language in Integration Research Dr. Kien Lee, Principal Associate, Community Science [PPT] [PRESENTATION CANCELLED DUE TO SICKNESS]
A	Immigrant Destination-Language Acquisition for Social Integration: Challenges and Best Practices Beatriz Coningham, Ed.D. Candidate, Human and Organizational Learning Program, George Washington University [PDF] [PPT] [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2]
A	Integration of Turkish Immigrants into the German Labor Market – Failures and Successes *Dr. Esther Lopatin*, Professorial Lecturer, Political Science Department, George Washington University; Member of the Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2]
A	Comprehensive Approach to Language Access in Montgomery County Lily Qi, County Executive’s Liaison for Asian and Middle Eastern Americans, Montgomery County [VIDEO]
A	Future Directions in Adult ESOL Program Design & Development Dr. Donna Kinerney, Dean, Department of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Montgomery College [VIDEO]
VOICES IN THE PANEL (approx. 3-4 minutes per voice)
A	Jennifer Perez-Brennan, Manager, Policy and Systemic Change Initiatives, Upwardly Global (Chicago) Voice on: Presentation of the nonprofit Upwardly Global ("UpGlo") [VIDEO]
A	*Dr. Alan Cheung, Executive Director, Confucius Institute at Maryland* Voice on: Fitting in as a Chinese American [VIDEO]
A	*Anna White*, Immigrant Program Coordinator, Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, City of Baltimore Voice on: Language Access Program of the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs [VIDEO]
A	*Representative* of CASA de Maryland Inc. Voice on: Maryland New Americans Partnership [PRESENTATION CANCELLED, only abstract available]
A	*Rachel Glass, Executive Director, The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy Voice on: Presentation of the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy)* [VIDEO]
A	*Jennifer L. Blake*, Executive Director, FIRN, Inc. (Resources for the Foreign-born) Voice on: Presentation of the FIRN - Resources for the Foreign-born [VIDEO]
A	*Michele Manatt*, Senior Consultant, Hispanic Integration Initiative, Americas Society/Council of the Americas Voice on: A place at the table: role of the private sector in achieving better integration of Hispanic Immigrants [VIDEO]
A	Discussion [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2] [VIDEO3] [VIDEO4] [VIDEO - summary by the Chair]
Panel Session B Lawfulness and Loyalty (12.45 pm to 03.15 pm) (Legal Status of Immigrants, Culture of Law, Mutual/Multiple Loyalty) full videos from this session: [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2] [VIDEO3] [VIDEO4] [VIDEO5] **Chair: Dr. Martin Ford**, Associate Director, Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees [VIDEO]
PANEL PRESENTATIONS (approx. 10 minutes per presentation):
B	Lawfulness and Loyalty: Why are Immigrants Not More Like Us? Patricia Chiriboga-Roby, Acting Affiliate Director, World Relief Immigration Clinic, Baltimore [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2]
B	Social and Acculturation Process for Social Integration, Inclusion, and Transformation Dr. Irene di Zoppi, Vice President, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO]
B	Refugees and Asylees: Where Do They Fit in the U.S. Immigration Picture? Patricia Hatch, Program Manager, Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees [VIDEO]
B	Legal Status of Immigrants: Why Don’t They Just Get in Line and Obey the Laws Amy Novick, Counsel, The Haynes Immigration Law Firm [PDF] [VIDEO]
B	Immigration, Integration, and Loyalty: The Turkish American Experience *Gunay Evinc*, President, Assembly of Turkish American Associations [PPT] [VIDEO1] [VIDEO2]
VOICES IN THE PANEL (approx. 3-4 minutes per voice)
B	*Wanjiru Kamau*, Ed. D., President & CEO, African Immigrant & Refugee Foundation Voice on: Challenges facing the integration of the African immigrants in their new homeland. Recommendations. [VIDEO]
B	Hoan Dang, President, Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association, Inc. Voice on: Presentation of projects of the Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association. [VIDEO]
B	Discussion
Panel Session C Location and Life (12.45 pm to 03.15 pm) (Health, Education, Housing, Community Participation, Social Security Benefits, Financial Services) *Chair: Dr. Larry Shinagawa*, Director, Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland
PANEL PRESENTATIONS (approx. 10 minutes per presentation):
C	Citizenship Grant Program and the Office of Citizenship's Naturalization Outreach and Awareness Initiative *Rebecca S. Carson*, Chief, Office of Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [VIDEO]
C	The Untold Stories of an Immigrant Community *Dr. Carolina De Los Rios*, DC Case Manager, Polaris Project [VIDEO]
C	Welcoming Refugees and Asylees to the U.S.: a First Responder’s Perspective *Vu Dang*, Regional Director, International Rescue Committee [VIDEO]
C	Integration of Immigrant Families in Education – a Comprehensive Service Model *Young-Chan Han*, Specialist, Family Involvement, Program Improvement and Family Support Branch, Maryland State Department of Education [VIDEO]
C	An Outlook on Conflict Resolution for Latinos/Hispanics in Maryland – Opportunity and Special Needs *Lydia Espinosa Crafton*, President, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Deliberation [VIDEO]
C	Perspectives on the Health of Immigrants Residing in the State of Maryland *Dr. Cynthia Saunders*, Independent Scholar [VIDEO]
C	Cultural Integration of Latino American Immigrants from the Behavioral Medicine Perspective *Dr. Fabiana Franco*, Clinical Psychologist [PPT] [VIDEO]
C	Benefits of Inclusion Banking *Remi Duyile*, Chief Executive Officer, Legacy Premier Foundation; CEO, Image Consulting Group; Member of the Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO]
VOICES IN THE PANEL (approx. 3-4 minutes per voice)
C	*Dr. Fernando Mata, Senior Research Officer, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Voice on: Addressing long term integration immigrant needs: The Multiculturalism Program in Citizenship and Immigration Canada [VIDEO]*
C	*Tom Brenneman,* Policy Associate for Migration & Human Security, 3D Security Initiative of the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding; Member of the Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association Voice on: Approaching integration through strategic peacebuilding practices & principles: A 3D Security approach [PRESENTATION CANCELLED]
C	*Barbara Levy Gradet*, Executive Director, Jewish Community Services Voice on: Presentation of Jewish Community Services, a non-profit human service agency [VIDEO]
C	*Tony J. Spencer*, Director, Office of Youth and Community Affairs, Mayor's Office, City of Annapolis Voice on: Issues of social integration of the immigrant youth. Suggestions for program improvements [VIDEO]
C	*Evelyn Joe, Founder and President, Continental African Community, USA* Voice on: The Fishing Pole: Engaging Emerging Stakeholders for Promising Outcomes: The Continental African ethno-demographic populations [VIDEO]
C	*Erin Karpewicz*, Projects Planner, Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. Voice on: Presentation of the Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. [VIDEO]
C	Discussion
03.15	Coffee & Tea Break
03.30	General Session Two (03.30 pm to 04.45 pm) *Chair: Dr. Martin Ford,* Associate Director, Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees
2	Presentations of Parallel Sessions. Comprehensive Integration Policy Recommendations. Dr. Martin Ford, Associate Director, Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees; [VIDEO] *Adam Ortiz*, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State of Maryland; [VIDEO] Dr. Larry Shinagawa, Director, Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland; Member of the Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO]
2	Concluding Discussion and Summary of the Conference *Dr. Larry Shinagawa, Director, Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland; Member of the Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association* [VIDEO] Remi Duyile, Chief Executive Officer, Legacy Premier Foundation; Member of the Program Council, Social Integration and Community Development Association [VIDEO] Dr. Margot Gotzmann, President, Social Integration and Community Development Association; President, GRL (Global Regional, Local) Development [VIDEO]
04.45	Reception Presentation of the Governor’s Citations (approx. 5.00 pm) Presentation of the Organizers' Award Sweepstake Results Announced
04.45	Concert (featuring cultural styles in music, open to the public; location: Governor Calvert House) [FLYER] [VIDEO] [ONE VOICE - text] INTRODUCTION by Keith Hinton, Owner, The Crofton School of Music PERFORMANCE by the Lyric Opera House (Baltimore)

EVENT DETAILS

Date

September 22nd, 2009

Location

The Governor Calvert House

58 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

PARTICIPANTS

Professionals working in the field of social integration of immigrants, community development and socio-economic development. In particular: direct service providers, policy makers, representatives of local, state and federal administration, academics and students, diplomats, journalists, scientific institutions, grantors, staff of the legislators, non-profit organizations and advocacy groups, representatives of local businesses, business chambers and trade unions.

List of participants.

Privacy Policy click here

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Organizers

Social Integration and Community Development Association

Maryland Office
for Refugees and Asylees

Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland

GRL (Global, Regional, Local) Development
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Sponsors