Citizens Organize Networks Against Discrimination in Milan

Excerpts from the publication: "The analysis of the dimensions and of the peculiarities of the organisations working in the field of immigration in Italy is difficult due to the lack of reliable data, as it is a world where things often get done outside of official channels and everything is in constant evolution. (...) In the Milan metropolitan area most immigrant jobs were in small and medium size enterprises, closely resembling the pattern found in northeastern Italy. ‘Ethnic business’ is not comparable to that observed in other countries, although research suggests it may be more widespread that commonly held. Our city model then stresses the main problems encountered by immigrants in Milan and the related NGOs intervention areas: the access to, and maintenance of, the legality of their presence in the country and therefore the need for legal aid and help, the housing problem, the health care and the search for an employment. It points out that the offer of services by the various NGOs has always been of a predominantly welfare or humanitarian nature or giving to the poor rather than of actions aimed at encouraging the emancipation and fight against discrimination. The offer of services conceived as an action to stimulate the valorisation of resources of the individual or the network of immigrants is poor and still rare. (...) It is certain that amongst the NGOs there are great differences in their approach to problems and at times ideological and political divergences. On the other hand, it is also true that in a context of de-structuring the traditional socio-political organisation, the dispersion, waste, overlapping or duplication of initiatives are probable, whilst it is hard to understand how there could be re-composition and the possibility of common action."