June 2006
Program: Creating Community Through Collaboration: A Town Hall Meeting about Integrating Immigrants into Philadelphia’s Neighborhoods
Location: International House, Philadelphia, PA
Audience: International leaders and Human Rights Activists, state and local elected officials, representatives of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs , and members and leaders of the immigrant and receiving Philadelphia communities
Creating Community Through Collaboration: A Town Hall Meeting about Integrating Immigrants into Philadelphia Neighborhoods
June 3, 2006, Philadelphia, PA – The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, together with Mary Robinson, the first woman president of Ireland, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and current Director of The Ethical Globalization Initiative, hosted a panel and small group discussions addressing how to more effectively integrate immigrants into communities on both global and local levels. The goal of this meeting was to bring the immigrant community of West Philadelphia with the receiving community, to address issues they were concerned about.
Partners included International House, the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.
Mrs. Robinson delivered the keynote address after receiving a commemorative City of Philadelphia Liberty Bell from Oliver Franklin, President and CEO of the International House and Honorary Consul of Britain.
In her address, Mrs. Robinson connected the current shifts occurring in Philadelphia neighborhoods to ongoing, worldwide migrations and the need for economic, political and religious/social human rights for all individuals by stressing four main principles:
1. Respect for migrants’ rights in contributing to economic development
2. Universal human rights are mandated under international law
3. International law protects all migrants, regardless of their status
4. A human rights framework can contribute a great deal to the harmonization of attitudes and acceptance of basic principles in public policy.
Anne O’Callaghan, Executive Director of the Welcoming Center, emphasized the recurring themes of the day’s dialogue: to make a commitment to listen to practical ideas and good examples, especially regarding issues to confront in Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Diane-Louise Wormley moderated panelists Thomas W. Blackwell IV, Shirley Randleman, Bai M. Gbala, and Stanley Straughter in answering questions on key issues confronting immigrants and native residents, followed by a question and answer session open to audience members.
The second, small-group portion of the program convened from 11am-1pm following the panel discussion from 9am-10:45am.
Eight small groups comprised of immigrants who reflected the West Philadelphia community, and native-born Americans, and various community leaders and activists discussed one another’s experiences, community issues, and possible solutions aimed at facilitating greater community collaboration with and integration of immigrants.
To view the report, click here.
Welcome & Introduction:
Anne O’Callaghan, Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Presentation of Liberty Bell:
Oliver Franklin, President and CEO of International House Philadelphia; Honorary Consul of Britain
Keynote Address:
Mary Robinson, Executive Director, The Ethical Globalization Initiative; Former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Panel Moderator:
Diane-Louise Wormley, Member of Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia and Cedar Park Neighbors
Panelists:
The Honorable Thomas W. Blackwell IV, PA Representative for 190th Legislative District
Bai W. Gbala, Outreach Director, African Cultural Alliance of North America
Rachel Lawton, Acting Director of Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
Shirley Randleman, President of the Fifty-Second Street Business Association South, Vice President of the Institute of African American Mobilization
The Honorable Stanley Straughter, Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and Honorary Consul of Ghana
Roundtable Discussions Facilitators:
Dr. Ruth Harvey, Head Facilitator
Wutha Chin
Ernie Greenwood
J. Fred Kauffman
Rachel Lawton
Jim Martin
Nancy Morgan
Shirley Randleman
Wilma de Soto
Domenic Vitiello
Diane-Louise Wormley
Closing Remarks:
Anne O’Callaghan, Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Sponsor:
The William Penn Foundation
Partners:
Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative:
Mary Robinson, Executive Director
Michelle Bologna
Heather Grady
Scott Jerbi
Ama Marston
International House Philadelphia
Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
Quick Facts:
“For me, it is the magic of America for us to sit here and look at each other, and to recognize our common humanity. When we realize that we’re all stronger when we live in each other’s shadows.”
Anne O’Callaghan, Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians.
“We were told that North Africa needs 100 million new jobs, and from the other side, Europe would need 60 million workers to keep the economy functioning. Cities are going to be very keen on how we deal with migration. The central message of the report is that cities haven’t realized the opportunities of migration. We’ve learned that no level is as important as at the city level.”
Mary Robinson, Executive Director of The Ethical Globalization Initiative
“We have a program that works with very marginalized black children. A student who won the award for most outstanding student was a young man from Liberia. He came to graduation in the most beautiful robes. He opened up our eyes that there’s a world beyond West Philadelphia. We need to open up to discuss our differences and commonalities.” Katie, roundtable participant
“I want to bring greetings from the African community. Those of us in the city today fled from political tyranny, economic deprivation, and human rights abuses. We just want to live and work in peace. We want people in this country to understand.”
Bai M. Gbala, Outreach Director of the African Cultural Alliance of North America
