Good Ideas about successful integration practice are easy to export and are traveling from city to city. It makes good sense. Proven solutions, tested program models and peer recognition all add up to better outcomes, reduced risk and cost savings.  At Cities of Migration, our Good Ideas also travel from reader to reader. We want to share these stories with you.

On the trail of Good Ideas…

This month Valeisha, from Toronto, connects a Good Idea about Chinese textile workers in Bologna to Mauritius and French Europe. Do you have a story to share ? contact us: citiesofmigration@maytree.com

Name: Valeisha Sobhee, Human Resources & Communications Professional

Her Cities: Vacoas to Cambridge to Montreal to Toronto

The Good Idea that really caught my eye was: Bologna’s “Social Justice Is Better Business: Integrating the Chinese Business Community Into the Mainstream”.

Why: Mauritius welcomes temporary Chinese workers; the good idea acknowledges the presence of a foreign community and actively seeks to build a bridge, through translated manuals, and by using Chinese radio programs to transmit ideas and tools to help that community integrate better. This leads to improved quality of life for the workers and businesses, rather than letting them live in an artificial and isolated bubble within the country.

How did you share it: I forwarded it in English to some of my Mauritian friends through social media. Those are people who somewhere down the line may be policy makers or are already socially involved. Such practical ideas can be adapted and implemented locally. I also forwarded the French version of the article to my French family. They are based in Europe, and it can be interesting to open their perspective to this reality and the actions that can be taken.

Any feedback: Some people were surprised at the realisation that “Made in Italy” can also be “Made by Chinese”. The whole idea of proactively integrating foreign workers is still a work in progress and the feedback was that it’s refreshing to see how easy it can be.

We are interested in what you think about our Good Ideas, and your own experiences. If you have a story to share, please contact us at citiesofmigration@maytree.com.