Mirsal, one of HyTe’s member organizations, is located within the premises of HyTe “Kansalaistoiminnankeskus”, with a mission to support immigrants in integrating into Finnish society, guiding them in accessing social service, and fostering their self-expression and skills development. Mirsal also provides support to its members to help them cope with integration and to find their own identity as part of Finnish society. It guides immigrants in finding and using Finnish social and community services. The association offers access to a wide range of activities, including support and assistance tailored to their individual life situation and primarily focusing on Arabic-speaking individuals.
Mirsal aims to serve as a platform for immigrants to freely express themselves, develop their skills and improve their well-being. Mirsal guides immigrants in all matters related to Finland, thus making opportunities and services available in different parts of Finland visible to immigrants through discussions, translations, and information sharing.
The Executive director of Mirsal, Ms. Sandra Tutah states that the aim is to support immigrants in finding employment by promoting their integration into Finland. The projects and activities are indirect, but of great importance. The organization aims to meet the needs and aspirations of talented immigrants through language courses, sports, arts, culture, and educational opportunities. At the same time, it provides information about the Finnish labor market, democratic system, and laws. Mirsal primarily focuses on Arabic-speaking immigrants, but this is more for practical reasons with no exclusion as a matter of principle.
Mirsal’s previous employment initiatives
Several of Mirsal’s employment initiatives and programs have concluded. The Yalla project was a small project specifically designed for Arabic-speaking adults over the age of 30 who were unemployed. Its primary objective was to encourage the target group to identify opportunities around them and to take advantage of them in their personal lives. Additionally, the project helped increase awareness of the public service network and the accessible social services offered by the third sector.
Mirsal’s gender equality project, which focuses on Arabic-speaking women, plays a vital role in promoting women’s empowerment and encourage them to pursue their dreams in various aspects of life, including their careers and participation in society.
The Better Work project, with its focus on raising awareness of responsibilities and rights in the Finnish workplace and establishing contacts with trade unions.
Father Is Important -project
The ongoing project ”Father Is Important ” aims to reach out to unemployed men and family men, especially Arabic-speaking individuals who have often provided for their families and been valued members of their communities in their country of origin. When they arrive in Finland and find that their job search is delayed and unsuccessful, they become disappointed and frustrated with their situation. Ms. Sandra states ”The general experience is that their skills are not valued and their education and experience are not trusted in Finland,” says Sandra.
Mirsal’s project empowers these men by sharing information and involving them in society in various ways. Men’s skills and talents are acknowledged, whether they are in the arts, sports, music or even IT. Men are encouraged to participate in Mirsal’s courses. This enables the target group to become positive leaders in their community, such as coaches, without their talents going to waste. Understanding their own skills and effectively communicating them to Finnish employers also enhances their prospects of finding employment.
The project staff actively seek out opportunities to engage with the men in the target group. One method of initiating conversations involves visiting cafes, where members of the target group frequently gather. These discussions explore perceptions of integration into Finnish society and gather information collect information regarding the needs of the target group. The topics covered vary from the Finnish labor market to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. These conversations are used to identify opinions and attitudes, as well as the needs for employment.
Ms. Tutah gives an example: there is an immigrant who has successfully completed his university degree and is in final year of her Master’s program in Finland. Despite his qualifications, he has encountered challenges when seeking employment in Finland and is contemplating leaving the country. Surprisingly, even work experience gained outside Finland, even in high-level positions, isn’t always recognized. The necessity of speaking Finnish can sometimes pose a significant barrier, although many jobs in an international setting could easily be conducted in fluent English. In addition, the proposed government regulations about the maximum unemployment period allowed for non-citizen immigrants are raising concerns.
European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+
The ESC and the Erasmus network, in collaboration with Mirsal, are currently working on the Green Youth Green Finland project to promote youth integration and enhance their quality of life. The aim is to connect young individuals with nature and involve them in conservation efforts. Everyone is encouraged to participate in these activities. More Finns would be welcome to participate so that young people from different backgrounds can get to know each other. The project aims to provide valuable experiences and enhance the employability of young participants, as the skills and activities acquired through the project will contribute to their future employment prospects. It also challenges young people to take on and shoulder responsibilities.
A community that fosters hope
Delays in employment and prolonged unemployment often lead to a sense of hopelessness, frustration and disengagement from society. ”Members appreciate organizations like Mirsal, which offers them a sense of community, a place where they can truly belong and find hope” concludes Ms. Sandra Tutah.
