Facilitating contact, creating connections: the role of voluntary organisations in refugees’ social integration

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses a uniquely detailed data set of social integration characteristics of immigrants belonging to four non‐native ethnic groups (i.e., Turks, Moroccans, Surinamese, and Antilleans) living in Dutch neighborhoods. It is well known that an individual's level of social integration is related to the ethnic composition and economic development of an immigrant's residential locality, as well as the generation of the immigrant. Yet, what is not known is whether the social and economic characteristics of adjacent or neighboring localities also influence an individual's level of social integration. Using a multilevel hierarchical analysis with spatial interaction effects, we examine the extent to which four social integration aspects of the bridging social capital of these immigrant groups are related to their ethnicity, their generation, their immediate locality, and the effects of the neighboring localities. Our findings regarding the effects of the ethnic concentration and economic development of the immediate locality along with the immigrant's generation broadly concur with existing studies. At the same time, however, we also find that the features of neighboring localities exert an additional influence on an individual's social integration over and above those related to the immigrant's generation and immediate locality. These additional spatial spillover effects are broadly in line with those associated with the immediate locality, but they are also sensitive to particular proxies for social integration which are employed. These spatial spillover effects on social capital and social integration have not been observed before.

In recent decades, a large influx of migrants from rural areas to cities has brought numerous pressures to urban infrastructure, the environment, public services, and social stability. Therefore, promoting the social integration of migrants is crucial for the sustainable development of cities. Analyzing this situation from the perspective of social capital, as opposed to economic and human capital, can better reveal the underlying mechanisms behind social integration. Therefore, we sought to explore the impact mechanism of social integration among China’s migrants by establishing a comprehensive model that incorporates bonding social capital (BSC), bridging social capital (BRC), relative deprivation (RD), hometown attachment (HA), and social integration (SI) through research based on the 2017 China Migrant Dynamic Survey (CMDS). The results indicate that different types of social capital have varied impacts. Bridging social capital is positively correlated with social integration, with relative deprivation playing a mediating role between the two. In contrast, bonding social capital is negatively correlated with social integration, with hometown attachment moderating the relationship between them. This study enriches social capital theory in the field of migration research and provides recommendations for government efforts to promote social integration

The rapid increase in the number of migrants in China has resulted in a growing concern for social integration issues. This study aims to explore the methods and approaches of social integration using urban community parks as a carrier. Using community parks in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, as a case study, we utilized structural equation modeling to construct the influence mechanism of community parks on social integration, which provides theoretical support and a reference for the design of social integration-oriented urban community parks. Our research indicates that the affective effects generated by migrants and local residents in community parks are crucial for social integration, including landscape perception, place attachment, and destination loyalty. Among them, landscape perception does not directly affect social integration, it can have a significant impact through the mediation of destination loyalty and place attachment. Destination loyalty has a direct and positive relationship with social integration, and place attachment also has a direct and significant positive effect on social integration. The study suggests that community park design should prioritize enhancing the emotional experience of migrants and local residents in three aspects: sensory stimulation, experience, and atmosphere creation, to promote social integration. Additionally, community managers and related policies should jointly promote future construction efforts.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of team sports on social integration in immigrant communities in Turkey. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Participation in team sports significantly enhances social integration in immigrant communities in Turkey by fostering connections with both fellow immigrants and local residents. These activities facilitate cultural exchange and adaptation, helping immigrants integrate while sharing their traditions. Team sports also improve psychological well-being by reducing isolation and providing a sense of belonging. They strengthen internal community ties and boost civic participation, leading to greater inclusion in broader social and political processes. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Activity theory, self-determination theory (SDT) & socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) may be used to anchor future studies on effect of team sports on social integration in immigrant communities in Turkey. Community organizations and sports clubs should design and implement team sports programs tailored to the needs of immigrant communities. Policymakers should develop and support policies that encourage the integration of team sports into community-building initiatives for immigrant populations.

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the social integration of individuals in the Fuling District, Chongqing Municipality, China, following the construction of the Three Gorges Project. The experience of these individuals is defined as a case of project-induced displacement and resettlement. Specifically, the paper focuses on the effects of multilevel social capital on social integration at three different life stages, i.e. young adults, middle-aged people, and the elderly. Social capital is classified into two levels in this study, i.e. individual social capital (e.g. strong ties or weak ties) and community social capital (e.g. social interaction, social trust, and neighborly reciprocity). A total of 620 eligible participants were interviewed in six resettled communities. A multilevel analysis was applied to the data. The results revealed that the specific life stage plays a moderating role in the effects of social capital on social integration. Similarly, social integration is affected by the relationships between individual and community social capital for young and middle adults. This study revealed that strong ties were positively associated with social integration for young adults. In contrast, weak ties compromised social integration for middle-aged people and the elderly. The positive effects of social interaction were observed for middle-aged people and the elderly. Neighborly reciprocity was positive for young adults and middle-aged people. The positive effects of social trust remained stable across different life stages. The study concludes that social capital should be cultivated according to the specific needs of adults depending on their life stages.

The development of Ukraine and its integration into the European space have a significant impact on the educational policy and practice of our state. This especially applies to ensuring the right of children with special educational needs to study. Therefore, one of the priority directions of the development of the national education system is the search for effective ways of including children with special educational needs in the educational environment, ensuring their socialization and social integration. Insufficient attention is paid to finding effective ways to include preschool children with special educational needs in an inclusive educational environment to ensure their socialization and social integration. Taking into account the fact that the preschool education institution is the first link of education in Ukraine, within which the socialization of the child is carried out, it is important to understand the peculiarities of the social integration of the preschooler in the general educational space and to apply scientifically based, effective and age-appropriate means of social integration to ensure it. The article analyzes general and special psychological and pedagogical literature on the concept of "social integration"; the essence of the process of social integration of children of younger preschool age with general underdevelopment of speech is determined. The criteria and indicators of social integration of children of younger preschool age are substantiated, the methodology of researching the level of social integration of children of the specified age group is described, the features of social integration of children of younger preschool age with general underdevelopment of speech are outlined on the basis of a qualitative analysis of the results of a diagnostic study regarding each of the competencies of children of younger preschool age, and also compared the level of social integration of children of younger preschool age with typical development with the level of social integration of children of younger preschool age with general underdevelopment of speech.

Psychological studies in the field of migration attest that social integration is enhanced by social capital. Communities of origin and the ones of resettlement play different role in the promotion of newcomers’ social integration. Nevertheless, researches highlighted that connections between migrants and resettlement communities are the hardest to be established. By reinforcing existing ties and generating new connections among communities, information and communication technologies (ICT) represent a resource for the creation of migrants’ social capital. The article presents two case studies addressing the use that a refugee- and a migrant-led association make of ICT to develop social capital aimed at fostering newcomers’ social integration. An ethnographic approach was adopted, and qualitative data have been collected. Results show that in the associations ICT are aimed at easing connections within migrants and between migrants and the resettlement community by directly fostering the establishment of social ties and by spreading positive narratives about migration. Through the empowerment of refugees and migrants, ICT emerge as tools that lay the foundations for the promotion of social cohesion.

Introduction Sweden's society has become ethnically diverse, yet social exclusion and segregation remain prevalent problems, particularly in employment, housing, and education (Dahlstedt & Ekholm, 2018). Acknowledging this challenge, the Swedish government, the Swedish Sports Confederation, and sports organizations have invested in sports to promote integration. Sports for integration initiatives are perceived as a tool for enhancing social integration, physical activity, and social capital in segregated cities (Agergaard, 2018). Regular participation is essential for achieving these goals, making it crucial to understand why individuals participate or not in such initiatives and develop social capital (Flensner et al., 2021). While previous research investigated structural and sociocultural engagement boundaries, few studies examine specific program factors that influence participants' willingness to engage, particularly from their own perspectives. This study addresses this gap by investigating the key facilitators and barriers within a sports-based program leading to social integration and the development of social capital among participants from various backgrounds in a highly segregated Swedish city. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine program participants, two youth leaders, and the program manager to gain insights into intra- and interpersonal experiences and perceptions regarding social connections and the development of social capital within the program. Using qualitative content analysis, findings were discussed though the lens of the social integration encompassing four interconnected dimensions (interaction, identification, culturalization, placement) and social capital theory. This framework allows to investigate factors influencing participants' engagement in sports-based integration initiatives, resulting in the identification of key contributing elements (Esser, 2009). Results/Discussion The study concludes that key factors, such as interactions with people from diverse backgrounds in safe environments, a physical activity and education component, exceptional events, and networking opportunities, significantly enrich participants' experiences and encourage continued participation in sports for integration initiatives. This not only contributes to social capital development and social integration into society but also provides valuable insights into factors that need to be included in initiatives to enhance participation and lead to effective initiatives. However, challenges like recruiting and retaining participants and inconsistent attendance are crucial factors hindering the effectiveness of these initiatives in promoting social integration. This study offers valuable insights on benefits and challenges of sport-based programs in fostering social integration within segregated societies, aiding in the formulation of more effective initiatives and policies. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and strategies to improve participant retention.

The purpose of this paper is to suggest strengthening of the current role of community-based organization (CBO) in rural Korea, such as its all-events approach, by adopting the guerilla approach for the ultimate goal of effective local emergency management. In so doing, the paper first analyzes the real picture of CBO’s all-events approach and the alternatives available to CBO’s guerilla approach via four components: (1) local government, (2) local schools, (3) neighboring industry, and (4) local residents. The major tenet of this paper is that CBO should focus more, like a guerilla or an irregular soldier, on managing local emergency, besides all other events in rural Korea, with the support of the four components.
 
 Keywords: community-based organization • voluntary organization • emergency management • local Korea

BackgroundIndividuals of domestic migrant populations in China (specifically, migration that is economically driven) often face difficulties in social integration. They are suffering from discrimination and unfair treatment in work and life, which do harm to their physical/mental health and Subjective Well-Being (SWB).MethodsThe current study utilized a stratified sampling survey in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, in October and November 2022. Six hundred and eleven useful self-reported questionnaires were collected. Questionnaires include questions about social integration, social capital, physical/mental health, and SWB; Bootstrapping method was used to test the mediating effect of physical health and mental health. Multiple hierarchical regression was used to test the moderating effect of social capital.ResultsSocial integration had positive impact on the SWB (r = 0.523, p < 0.01). Bootstrap analysis showed that physical health and mental health partially mediated the correlation between social integration and SWB of Floating Population with a mediation effect of 0.149 and 0.192. Social capital can positively moderate the relationship between two pair of variables: social integration and SWB (β = 0.152, t = 4.42, p < 0.001), physical health and SWB (β = 0.148, t = 4.39, p < 0.01). However, social capital does not play a significant moderating role in the association between the effect of mental health on SWB (β = 0.032, t = 0.973, p > 0.05).ConclusionThis study proved a significant correlation between social integration and SWB of Floating Population, with physical/mental health playing a mediating role. Enhancing the social integration of floating population and keeping healthy physically and mentally are key to improving their SWB.

In my thesis, I will explore the drivers and barriers of the operation of social cooperatives in Hungary between 2010 and 2020, based on the assumption in the literature that social cooperatives are a suitable instrument for labour market and social integration (G. Fekete et al., 2018; Csoba, 2020). In my work, social capital theories form the framework for the sociological interpretation of the analysis. I investigate the determinants and the ways to ensure the (re)integration function of these cooperatives. My main research objective is to identify the factors that impede and stimulate the functioning of social cooperatives. The research method is quantitative statistical secondary analysis, and within the qualitative methods, sociological fieldwork using semi-structured interview data collection. The interviews are analysed using thematic and typological analysis methods. My research questions are the following: What conditions are necessary for social cooperatives to create sustainable labour market positions in order to promote the integration of marginalised social groups? How do the structural conditions of social cooperatives affect integration efforts and opportunities? The results show that new dependency relations have been formed by the operators of the organisations, so that the mobility prospects of skilled social cooperative workers are pointing towards the better paid primary labour market. Typically, social cooperatives are not able to reduce social, economic and territorial inequalities and social disparities by providing employment opportunities alone. Contrary to international and national cooperative principles and objectives, domestic practice shows that voluntary organisation and autonomous operation are becoming less and less common. The field findings show that workers are 'helped' out of the local space through labour market integration, but that only some of those who remain in the cooperative have a community (re)integration element, which is generally less pronounced in practice. The social cooperatives studied show discrepancies between organisations. Social and relational capital is harnessed through cooperative membership and leadership, which is necessary for legitimate functioning. For the publicly employed/unemployed worker individual, the operation of the social cooperative system within this framework represents a structural barrier to employment and integration in the municipality. In analysing the development of social capital in social cooperatives, I identified different types of organisation (exclusionary and inclusive, performance-oriented and community-oriented). The spatial and social disadvantages and inequalities that the target group has previously experienced are hardly overcome by social cooperatives under current structural conditions. This makes it difficult to meet the labour market and social integration aspirations of people living in peripheral areas. Their way of working is less effective in addressing the social and economic disparities that have emerged and in the integration of social capital, and thus less effective as a means of tackling social exclusion.

This study attempts to explore the impact of multi-dimensional social capital and resilience on migrant children’s social integration, in China so as to provide theoretical and practical implications for social policies and social work intervention toward Chinese migrant children. A total of 461 valid samples from primary schools of Guangzhou were surveyed for analysis. By running three regression models, the direct and indirect effects of family, school, and community social capital were observed. Besides, the mediation effect of the resilience was estimated. In order to confirm the mediation effect of the resilience, the Bootstrap method was used to examine the mediating effect of the resilience. The results showed resilience is the most influential factor, followed by three forms of social capital, family social capital, school social capital, community social capital. In addition, length of time living in Guangzhou, self-efficacy, the frequency of engaging in activities provided by social workers, and average monthly household income were significant factors. It is worth noting that three forms of social capitals have a direct impact on social integration, and they also affect social integration through the mediating role of the resilience. Further research can examined the causal relationship amongst the integration, social capital and resilience of migrant children by collecting longitudinal data or panel data. Moreover, future research could investigate how welfare policies and social work practice improve social integration of migrant children through effecting both their social capital and individual resilience.

The objective of this study was to determine whether social integration is associated with plasma concentrations of fibrinogen in an elderly population. Participants (ages 70-79; n = 375 men and 425 women) were part of the MacArthur Successful Aging Study, a longitudinal study from three community-based cohorts in the United States, who have relatively high physical and cognitive functioning. Social integration was measured using a social integration score, which assessed marital status, number of contacts with family and friends, frequency of religious service attendance, and participation in voluntary organizations. Fibrinogen concentrations were measured in plasma using an automated clot-rate assay. Cross-sectional multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Social integration was significantly associated with elevated concentrations of fibrinogen (>336 mg/dL) in men after adjusting for smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, comorbidity, physical functioning, depression, age, race, and education (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-4.89, p = .03 for having elevated fibrinogen in the least integrated quartile versus the most integrated quartile). There was no significant association between social integration and fibrinogen in women (multivariate-adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.27-1.21, p = .15). Social integration is associated with fibrinogen concentrations in elderly men. This provides evidence of a biologic mechanism that may help explain the observed associations between social integration and mortality in men. There may be gender differences in the physiological pathways by which social integration influences health.

City attachment captures individual migrants' emotional bonds to their host city and is an essential indicator of their social integration. Although a growing literature has investigated the impact of the residence‐based social environment on city attachment, few works have attempted to unravel the effects of social exposure in an individual's daily activity space. Drawing on an activity diary survey and census data from Shanghai, we examine how social exposure in residential areas and activity spaces influences an individual's city attachment. Specifically, we compare these differences among local residents, urban migrants, and rural migrants. Social exposure is measured by time‐weighted migrant exposure in residential and activity spaces, capturing the social mix among locals and migrants. We find that the city attachment of local residents is greater than that of migrants. There are also significant differences in migrant exposure among the three groups: Local residents have the lowest migrant exposure, while rural migrants possess the highest. Moreover, people living in residential spaces with higher migrant exposure experience lower exposure levels in activity spaces. Each of the three groups also reveals a distinct impact of social exposure on city attachment. For local residents, residence‐based migrant exposure has a significant positive impact on their city attachment. For urban migrants, however, the effect of migrant exposure on their city attachment is statistically insignificant. Finally, for rural migrants, activity‐based migrant exposure negatively impacts their city attachment. Accordingly, this study indicates that the social mix in both residential areas and activity spaces, for example, workplace or routine activity locations, should be evaluated to promote individuals' social integration.

PurposeThe rapid urbanization of China brings in large number of migrant workers coming from rural areas. With the perspective of social integration, this study reviews the findings about economic livelihood, social integration and health related to migrant workers since China initiated economic reform. We show that (1) though the economic wellbeing of migrant workers has been improved significantly after they moved to cities, their economic standing is still lower than local residents; (2) though there is progress of social integration between migrant workers and local residents, conflicts and challenges due to the competitions in employment and the sharing of community resource are still commonly found; (3) the disadvantaged status of health is very common among migrant workers and (4) women and the new generation in migration have more disadvantages in the social transition. We suggest that issues of equal rights between migrant workers and local residents should be discussed in the future as more migrant workers intend to stay in cities for long-term.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is literature reviews based on the current studies about migrant, migration and policy. The first category of literature is the research field on China's migration and urbanization to describe the whole context of migrant workers. The second is research field on detailed issues about migrant workers and the last field is policy issues about the welfare and needs among migrant workers.FindingsWe find that (1) though the economic wellbeing of migrant workers has been improved significantly after they moved to cities, their economic standing is still lower than local residents; (2) though there are progress of social integration between migrant workers and local residents, conflicts and challenges due to the competitions in employment and the sharing of community resource are still commonly found; (3) the disadvantaged status of health is very common among migrant workers and (4) women and the new generation in migration face more disadvantages in the social transition.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations in the current research: (1) the review focuses on the majority of migrant workers to reveal the general picture about the living, developing and rights among migrant workers, but is still lacking in dealing with some special and disadvantaged groups. (2) More international issues related to migrant workers should be discussed in the future considering that China's labor market is becoming more and more global.Social implicationsFirst, the conclusion about the economic and social integration among migrant workers indicates that more equal welfare services, including resident services, commence services, medical services etc. should be included in the municipal managements considering that Chinese cities will be the combination of local residents and migrant residents. Second, the conclusion about the women and children indicates that the future public services targeted at the disadvantaged population should focus on migrant members due to the second generation of migrant workers will be one of the mainstream population in future China's cities.Originality/valueThis study gives general views on migrant workers in current China. The findings in this review conclude the main development and improvements among tens of millions of migrant workers in Chinese cities. Meanwhile, we also conclude that there are still many disadvantaged and marginalized sub-groups in migration who are suffering from less welfares and rights in urban lives. More detailed and equal rights and public services should be considered and implemented in the fast urbanization taking place.