The potential of dialogues on social identity and diversity for immigrant civic integration

Abstract

Local governments have become increasingly important in the governance of immigration. The present study evaluates a local government sponsored dialogue on social identity and diversity aimed at promoting the civic integration of immigrant participants. Based on models for community dialogues across cultural differences and on the literature on immigrant civic integration, the researcher designed, implemented and evaluated the dialogue. The evaluation was based on an exit questionnaire completed by participants, observation notes taken by the researcher, and a follow-up interview with the program coordinator. The evaluation suggests that dialogues among newcomers about social identity and diversity that match most of the ideal conditions for positive intergroup contact stated in the literature likely facilitate immigrant civic integration. Participants reported improved feelings of mutual understanding and inclination to collaborate across cultural differences. The findings also indicate that participants developed a capacity to balance appreciation for cultural differences and group identities with proclivity to collaboration across cultural groups.