DIVERGENT PATHS OF INTEGRATION IN NORTHERN ITALY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MILAN 000002

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR SMIG KISL IT
SUBJECT: DIVERGENT PATHS OF INTEGRATION IN NORTHERN ITALY

REF: 09 MILAN 237

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Ben Wohlauer for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Summary: The integration of the growing immigrant
population in Northern Italy is a challenge for communities
throughout the region. Constructively, the city of Turin is
taking advantage of a national government program to welcome
so-called "second-generation immigrants" into the civil
service. There is even an effort to make national Turin's
program; though the likelihood of success in this campaign is
far from certain. Conversely, Alzano Lombardo has (also in
the name of integration) barred the town's large immigrant
population from participating in an urban revitalization
program. Fortunately, despite the regular anti-immigrant
rhetoric (and occasional action) in Northern Italy, we
believe Turin,s example is more indicative of how local
authorities are approaching the integration question. End
Summary

Turin Sets a Good Example


2. (SBU) While some northern cities are known for their
efforts at promoting integration of their immigrant
populations, others are recognized more for their efforts to
discourage it. On the positive side, in the city of Turin
so-called "second-generation immigrants" (2Gs) are enjoying
opportunities for civil service internship positions
previously reserved for Italian nationals. The city has
opened the door for 24 Italian-born (but non-citizen) sons
and daughters of immigrants of eleven nationalities to
participate in a program that encourages young people to work
for the GOI. (According to Italian law, children born in
Italy to non-Italian parents can only apply for citizenship
after living uninterruptedly, and legally, in the country for
18 years.) Though funded nationally, the program is
administered locally and Turin has chosen to make it part of
the city's integration efforts. At the recent National
Conference on Second-Generation Muslims held in Turin
(reftel),Deputy Mayor for Integration Ilda Curti touted the
benefits of the program's expansion: "Turin is recognizing
that we live in a pluralistic society," and this program is
one means of acknowledging that, "the integration process
must be governed and supported."


3. (C) Now, thanks to a bill in Parliament proposed by Livia
Turco, former Minister of Health in the Prodi government and
current president of the forum on immigration and social
politics in the Democratic Party (PD),this opportunity could
be extended to second-generation young people around the
country. The proposal calls for an expansion of the program
to include participation by 2Gs between the ages of 18 and 25
years who have solid command of Italian and their "permesso
di soggiorno" (residence permit). In addition to a small
monthly salary for the duration of the 12-month program, the
proposed bill would also afford 2G participants the right to
renew their residency permits and favorable consideration for
their citizenship applications. With applications
outnumbering positions annually since the initiative began in
2001, and the number of funded positions decreasing every
year, Turco acknowledges the need for greater government
financial investment. However, the important opportunity
this program brings for the integration of "second-generation
immigrants," Turco argues is well worth the cost of
expansion. As noted in reftel, many observers believe that
the failure to integrate these young people (particularly
young people of Muslim origin) into mainstream Italian
society could lead to some of them turning to more extremist
(but welcoming) sub-cultures.

While Alzano Lombardo Takes Different Approach


4. (SBU) Just a few hours east (but much farther right
politically) of Turin near Bergamo lies the town of Alzano
Lombardo (population 13,000). Rather than embrace an
integration program like Turin's, Mayor Roberto Anelli, a
member of the Northern League political party, is promoting a
different approach. In an effort to encourage investment in
the town's decaying center, where much of the large immigrant
community resides, the town is building a parking area that
will be free to those that purchase a home in the zone. But
there are a few conditions. Beneficiaries must be Italian
citizens, married or about to be married, under the age of
65, and have been residents of the town for three years or
more. Discriminatory? "Yes," says Anelli, "but it
discriminates against many people, not just against
immigrants." Alzano Lombardo's Italian population is
declining but its immigrant community has grown to 14 percent
overall. According to the city's Deputy Mayor for Urban
Planning, Camillo Bertocchi, the integration/gentrification

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plan makes good democratic sense and is not exploitative.
"We believe that integration does not happen in solely a
cultural way but is also territorial," Bertocchi stated.
"They should not go (to live) in created ghettos." He
concludes by stating that repopulating of the center (and
elimination of the "ghetto") will help strengthen society and
benefit integration.

Comment: What's in a Word?


5. (C) While both cities purport to be supporting
integration, their definitions of the term are clearly
different. Turin,s welcoming of "second-generation
immigrants" into the government service program exemplifies
the recognition that efforts must be made to include the
immigrant community in civil society. While political
roadblocks may delay or scotch Turco,s bill, its proposal
validates Turin's approach (at least in certain political
circles). Meanwhile, the city leaders of Alzano Lombardo
recognize the need for urban renewal and stability. However,
they have chosen a path of exclusion rather than inclusion in
the name of integration. Fortunately this seems to be the
path less traveled -- at least in larger cities, which tend
to adopt a more balanced approach to integration. However,
in smaller towns in the Northern League heartland of Veneto
and parts of Lombardia, rhetoric (and actions) increasingly
reflect the positions of the more extreme anti-immigrant wing
of the party.
Gill