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3.2. A new inhabitant Rovaniemi in a service order together with the
of Rovaniemi perceives leisure services, or organises a tender procedure
the area through culture with other actors. The success of the day requires
several actors to work together, which must
The first days, weeks and months in the new area are be taken into account in the service order.
filled by building everyday routines. The employer
or the authorities assist with finding housing and a Art content brings colour to the
livelihood, and starting language training. A person initial information sessions
who is already interested in culture will try to find
cultural services that he or she is accustomed to using. Both international students and those who have
People coming from a very different society may not arrived as refugees are gathered regularly to joint
always even realise that they might want to use the information sessions. The events provide information
cultural services of the Finnish society – but, on the about how to take care of practical issues in Rovaniemi.
other hand, there may be other things they miss. The participants have the opportunity to ask questions
Hobbies make learning to know other people faster and discuss issues that concern them. There are often
and encourage people to try out the new languages. interpreters present at the events.
The Kultti panel participants emphasised the
importance of peer support at this stage. According to A light-hearted meeting of art and the immigrants
them, moral support is more important than any other at these events may lighten the businesslike
kind of support. programme at the event. It may be easiest to bring
content prepared by hobbyists to the events. By
Rovaniemi gives a warm welcome being present at the group information sessions, the
hobbyists can reach the new inhabitants of Rovaniemi.
Welcoming new inhabitants of the municipality on an In the best case scenario, they receive in-depth
individual level touches people. Rovaniemi has tried information about issues that pose a concern to the
out a campaign where inhabitants of the city made group, which may spark ideas or changes in their own
cards to be distributed to tourists. In Rovaniemi, wool activities. The new inhabitants of Rovaniemi receive
socks have also been donated to all newborns. Similar glimpses of the city’s cultural offering, and they may
investments should also be made to welcome the become interested in finding out more themselves.
new inhabitants of the municipality moving in from
different parts of Finland and the world. The welcome Proposals:
does not need to be expensive. A personalised card, ff The parties organising the information
a pair of mittens, or an invitation to an annual Day
of the New Inhabitants of Rovaniemi would create a sessions invite actors organising cultural
warm image of the city. MoniNet, Neuvokas, Finnish hobbies to their events so that they can
Red Cross and the Immigration Office are starting a introduce themselves by means of art.
co-operation, in which volunteers will knit a pair of ff Information about the information sessions
socks for every person who has come to Rovaniemi is added to the city’s event calendar, so that
due to humanitarian reasons. other actors know whom to contact if they
have something to offer for the event.
Proposals:
ff The Immigration Office, the Finnish Red Cross Support persons bring people to culture
and educational institutions transmit information New inhabitants of Rovaniemi can and want to
about the number of new inhabitants of Rovaniemi provide peer support to each other. People who have
to voluntary organisations, such as Neuvokas. already found their home in the area are important to
With the help of its volunteers, the organisation newcomers. They can describe what lies ahead to the
arranges a welcoming campaign. It is also possible newcomer, and they know what issues might come
to participate in the campaign in libraries. as a surprise. They have deeper and more detailed
ff The Leisure Board agrees on the annual knowledge than the authorities or the majority
organisation of a Day of the New Inhabitants of population. The Kultti panel participants felt frustrated
about not knowing when they had the opportunity
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