Integration of internationals is not inclusion

It is another #Wednesdays4Turku. I trust that you are keeping safe and sound. Today let's talk integration which is often the favorite of employment services, city services and CSOs addressing the needs of internationals, migrants, immigrants, newcomers, people of immigrant background. Did you notice how the labels are many....This is a subject for another discussion but let's start with some food for thought before going into today's topic. I am still looking for the right term but 'immigrant' or in Finnish, 'maahanmuuttaja' (someone who is moving into a country) is one that makes me cringe but can it be avoided - who is an immigrant, for how long, are they different levels or stages of being an immigrant, can one be an immigrant forever?

In Finland, inclusion and integration are often used in discussions about internationals, diversity, equity, and education, but they represent two distinct approaches to accommodating individuals with different needs or backgrounds within a society, organization, or system. For example, inclusion in a school would involve adapting teaching methods, materials, and school culture to meet the diverse needs of all students, ensuring that every child has equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

The idea of inclusion being more effective than integration. This image is AI generated.  It visually contrasts the unity and belonging of inclusion with the fragmented approach of integration, emphasizing collaboration and harmony.

Integration is not inclusion?

• Integration is bringing individuals into an existing system or structure, where they are expected to adapt to the norms, practices, and conditions already in place.
• The emphasis is on fitting into the existing framework or ticking boxes of 'Finnishness' while the system remains largely unchanged, and individuals need to conform to be fully accepted.

• Inclusion goes beyond integration by proactively creating environments where all individuals feel valued, respected, and able to participate fully, without needing to conform to a dominant standard or requirement to be assimilated.

The focus is on transforming and enrichment of the systems, policies, and practices to accommodate diversity and ensure equitable participation for newcomers.

Inclusion Is More Effective than Integration 

Inclusion is often viewed as the more equitable approach because it promotes a sense of belonging and values the unique contributions of every individual. It seeks to eliminate barriers rather than expecting individuals to overcome them by themselves. Inclusion creates a truly equitable environment where everyone can thrive. Let's do a comparison to explain why inclusion is the more effective approach:

Systems Thinking

• Integration places individuals into existing systems but often fails to address systemic barriers. Individuals may feel marginalized because they must conform to a framework that wasn’t designed for them.
• Inclusion actively transforms the system to accommodate and celebrate diversity, ensuring that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and resources. This fosters a sense of belonging and eliminates the need for individuals to "fit in."
• Inclusion addresses the root causes of inequity, creating environments where everyone can participate fully and authentically.

Emphasis on Belonging and Participation

• Integration may allow individuals to coexist within a group, but it doesn’t ensure they feel truly valued or included. They often remain on the margins, tolerated but not embraced. This easily breeds tokenism and having diversity for ticking boxes and showing off.
• Inclusion ensures that every individual feels respected, valued, and included in all aspects of the community. The goal is to make diversity a strength, not a challenge.
• A sense of belonging leads to higher engagement, better mental health, and improved outcomes for individuals and groups.
• Integration often involves partial or conditional participation. For example, people may be included in some activities or job types but excluded from others due to systemic barriers.
• Inclusion means full, unconditional participation. The environment is proactively designed to meet the needs of all individuals, making everyone feel equally important. Full participation fosters confidence, collaboration, and meaningful contributions from everyone.

Decision-making Dynamics

• Integration often reinforces existing power structures. The dominant group remains in control, and marginalized individuals may have little influence over the environment or decisions.
• Inclusion redistributes power by involving diverse voices in decision-making processes and creating shared ownership of the environment. Shared power creates fairness and allows all perspectives to shape the community, leading to innovative and inclusive solutions.

Long-term thinking

• Inclusion fosters long-term sustainability by embedding equity and diversity into the culture, policies, and practices of the system. It ensures continuous improvement and adaptation to meet the needs of everyone.
• Inclusion builds resilience and adaptability, making communities and organizations stronger in the face of change.
• Integration often results in unequal outcomes because the system is not designed to support everyone equally. This perpetuates inequalities and hinder individual success. Inclusion leads to better outcomes for all because it removes barriers and creates opportunities tailored to diverse needs.
• Integration can be superficial and temporary, as it does not address the underlying barriers that exclude people. This breeds frustration and disengagement over time. Now you know why many internationals do not engage in socio- civic activities in Finland but rather stay in their bubbles.

An inclusive system maximizes the potential of every individual, leading to greater innovation, productivity, and social cohesion.  Inclusion is more effective because it creates environments where diversity is valued, barriers are removed, and everyone can contribute their best. It moves beyond mere coexistence to genuine collaboration and equity, ensuring that no one is left behind.