Immigrants, multilingual Finns´ voices ignored in decision-making: Report

The voice of immigrants and multilingual Finns is not being heard in decision-making and public debate, said a report published on Wednesday by the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO).

The report examined what kind of barriers to participation and exerting influence in society there are among immigrants and multilingual Finns and presents solutions for removing them, said the Ministry of Justice in a press release.

Democratic deficit refers to the underrepresentation of immigrants and multilingual Finns in representative democracy.

The report examined participation in society from the perspective of electoral participation and mechanisms of direct and participatory democracy.

Furthermore, the report deals with equal participation of young people and the role of democracy education in integration training.

Examples of barriers to participation include lack of accessible communication, repeated categorisation of immigrants and multilingual Finns as targets for measures, and open racism.

The recommendations given in the report concern, for example, increasing multilingual and easy-to-understand communications, recognising the role of organisations of immigrants and multilingual Finns, and equality-promoting official activities.

The report was drawn up by the working group on immigrants' and multilingual Finns' participation in society (MOVA) appointed by the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO). The national ETNO works under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice.