Good relations between population groups are based on positive attitudes, functioning interaction, a sense of security and participation in society. Good relations between population groups are part of a receptive society that promotes inclusiveness.
Promoting good relations between population groups can be an objective in almost all planned activities related to people’s everyday lives. The key parts of policies on relations between population groups are:
- influencing attitudes
- promoting the safety of people belonging to different population groups,
- measures to increase and improve the interaction between groups,
- use of conflict resolution and mediation methods, and
- preventing segregation of housing.
Municipalities, organisations and civil society promote interaction between people at local level. Supporting good relations between population groups requires that practices causing inequality are identified and discontinued and that services and activities are developed in a way that makes them suitable for everyone. At local level, it is important to analyse what kind of measures would support cooperation between immigrants and people born in Finland in residential areas and in recreational activities.
All immigrants should be able to participate in decision-making on matters affecting them. It is important for the authorities to be open about their activities and to consult and engage the public, for example through hearings, client panels and various customer feedback systems.
Municipalities take the promotion of good relations between population groups and non-discrimination into account as part of their planning of integration promotion. Municipalities determine the relevant objectives, measures, responsible parties, cooperation and monitoring and record these in a separate action plan or another municipal planning document. Promoting good relations between population groups is also one of the duties of the municipality’s cooperation group on the promotion of immigration and integration.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the ELY Centres are furthermore responsible for promoting good relations between population groups. The Ministry of Justice in turn develops policies on good relations as part of its work to promote equality, inclusion and democracy.
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Equality.fi
