Introduction : Delft, civil society and integration
Delft
Delft is a charming medieval medium-sized city in the western part of the Netherlands. Delft is
situated between two major cities, i.e. The Hague (10km to the north) and Rotterdam (15km to the
south). Two other main cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht are relatively close to Delft (less than 70
km). Dutch people live in a dynamic environment with a lot of people living close to each other.
Migration history
The number of inhabitants of Delft amount to almost 100.000. About 27% of them are of migrant
(ethnic) origin (10% originally of western countries, 17% of non-western countries)1. This figure will
increase in the next decades due to the young age of the migrant population in Delft. In addition the
university is expanding and attracts a lot of international students. Like many Dutch cities, Delft
received different groups during history :

The first big group consisted of labour migrants: arriving in the fifties and sixties of the 20th
century they came from Mediterranean Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece). In the sixties, also a lot
of Moroccan and Turkish men moved to the Netherlands. Many years later they were joined
by their family members.

In parallel, people from the former colonies (Indonesia, Surinam, Dutch Antilles) moved to
Holland. When in 1975 Surinam became independent, nearly half the Surinam population
had moved to the Netherlands acquiring the Dutch nationality.

In the eighties and nineties, a high number of refugees and asylum seekers looked for
protection in the Netherlands. They mainly fled from war-torn countries in the Middle East
and Africa (Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan) and from politically unstable countries like Iran
(political refugees).

A special group are the international students and foreign people working at the university.
Delft has more than 1000 residents of Chinese origin.
Because of the enormous influx during the nineties, the government has drawn up a new strict
immigration law (2001). This aimed to stop the mass immigration from non-European countries.
Since, people have met more barriers to migrate to the Netherlands. For economic and political
refugees, it became more difficult to obtain an official refugee status. In case of family reunion or
marriage, nowadays the requirements for the individuals concerned are much higher. These migrants
have to pass an exam in their country of origin, also submitting a Dutch language test. The ‘receiving’
family has to prove economic independency. As a result the number of newcomers is declining since
the entry into force of the new law.
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Ethnic is not the same as national. Perhaps an individual can hold the Dutch nationality, but when a person
(or one of his parents) is born in a foreign country, technically speaking this person acquires the ethnicity of this
foreign country.
Integration policy on a national & local level
We distinguish two levels of integration policy: the national and the local level. Recently, after last
elections, right wing parties established a new government with the support of a populist party.
Although a new government just started, it aims to dismiss a big part of the current integration
policy. To give one example that will have an enormous impact on municipalities:
For years, the national government used to contribute substantially to introduction programs making
them easily accessible to immigrants; the municipality organized the courses on a local level. It is the
new government’s opinion that newcomers have to arrange and pay for themselves the introduction
program and language courses. This change of policy will take a few years but it is to be expected
that within 4 years this important and positive arrangement will disappear.
The national government doesn’t determine all integration policy. Local policy is made by the
municipalities. Depending on the local politics, the municipality can define its own choices, even
though financial resources are decreasing.
Integration policy & civil society
Traditionally, Delft always has had an open mind toward immigration and integration. As a result the
municipality supports a high number of activities aiming at better local integration. Its central goal is
participation of all people in different parts of Dutch society. Successful representatives of the
different migrant communities play an important role in the process of participation. The
municipality engages professionals and volunteers belonging to these communities to bridge the gap
between migrants and sectors like education, sports, public health etc.
Involving civil society of migrants is a significant method of this policy. By civil society, we mean
associations voluntarily founded by migrants to support and empower their own people (of the same
ethnic origin). About 20 such associations, great and small, are active in Delft. Most of these
organizations are based on ethnicity. The municipality of Delft supports these associations with a
little yearly amount2 and housing facilities in the neighborhoods. In return, these associations have
to be representative for their community and contribute to the local integration policy. Although a
lot of Dutch municipalities have dismissed this “old” policy, Delft nourishes its good relation with the
migrant communities. These associations are important for :
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Introducing and accompanying newcomers, belonging to the same ethnicity; sharing
experiences, helping each other in finding his/her way in Dutch society and local services.
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Offering integration courses (language, health, teaching pupils etc); they better recruit their
people for education and information courses.
Two organizations are mosks, the municipality doesn’t finance religious organizations (due to separation
religion & state)
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Organizing segments of their community to empower (women, youngsters).
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Showing and exchanging their culture and heritage with Dutch society, etc.
Regularly the municipality or other social institutions request these associations to mobilize their
community (men, women, youngsters) for informative meetings. We experienced this is the best way
to reach a lot of people and to obtain the highest possible effects.
Obviously, the municipality not only supports civic organizations that are based on one ethnicity.
Once newcomers empower, they like to gain experiences outside their own community. By educating
people it is possible to broaden their horizon.
One of these associations is Pangeea.
Association Pangeea
Pangeea is an association of high educated migrants living in the city of Delft and surroundings. By
‘migrant’, we mean exactly: people of a migrant origin. All members have reached a ‘good’ position
in their professional career, they work in profit as well as non for profit environments. Most of them
are well known in Delft. They actively participate in social or cultural life within local associations, in
their migrant community, or in political parties. A few of them were once member of the municipal
council.
Pangeea’s main objective is to improve the situation of migrants and enhance their involvement in
the Dutch society. Migrants meet more problems in different matters. Generally they lag behind
native people on the labor market, in education, in the degree of participation in sports, culture and
other fields.
As successful migrants, Pangeea members experienced how to overcome difficulties. They learned
how to seize opportunities in their personal life and career, making progress for themselves or for
their community.
Pangeea members share their knowledge, practical skills and professional network to new migrants
and their communities. They also contribute to solving different integration questions.
Pangeea’s activities
Pangeea members regularly meet each other to share experiences and discuss local multicultural
themes. In addition they organize public meetings and debates on integration policy or connected
issues. Herewith a summary of the discussed themes last year:
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Politics: trends in integration policy
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Education: turning the tide of ethnic segregation in local schools
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Discrimination on the labor market
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To which extent do migrants apply for social welfare arrangements?
Finally Pangeea supports ‘so called’ tutors for migrant youth. They guide young people who might
have problems at high school. Some pupils tend to become “drop-outs”. With the help and support
of successful young adults, probably they overcome serious problems at school. It could help to look
for tutors of the same ethnic background as the pupil concerned. Tutors also support “high
potential” migrants to study at the level for which they are qualified.
Pangeea is a network of volunteers. The activities are financed by local subsidies, private donations
and foundations.
Stefaan Vanderstappen,
Municipality of Delft, the Netherlands