Nature-Based Activities Supporting the Integration of Immigrant Families: Kohdataan luonnossa – A Guide for Organising Nature Excursions
Koponen, Sajiphan; Simulainen, Tuulia (2020)
Koponen, Sajiphan
Simulainen, Tuulia
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020111723106
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020111723106
Tiivistelmä
This functional thesis was carried out in cooperation with Yhteiset Lapsemme ry (All Our Children) and their project Kohdataan kotona (Let’s Meet at Home). The purpose of the thesis was to create a guide for organising nature excursions to support the integration of immigrant families in the Capital Region of Finland. The guide will function as a tool for municipal workers, third sector workers and volunteers to be used as a tool when organising nature-based activities for immigrants and their families.
In a two-way integration process, immigrants moving to a new country acquire knowledge and skills needed in that society, while the receiving society changes and becomes more diverse. Therefore, we recommend that local Finnish families participate in the excursions in order to foster interaction between immigrants and locals by using nature as a platform for positive encounters. The suggested nature-based excursions and activities in the guide are based on the concepts of participation, positive interaction and Green Care.
The guide, entitled Kohdataan luonnossa (Let’s Meet in Nature), consists of information on the benefits of nature and nature-based integration, suggested nature excursions, activities and locations, and practical information for excursion organisers. The sets of suggested nature excursions are based on the four different seasons and their characteristics and each set consists of three excursions. The aim of these excursions is to introduce immigrants to different ways of enjoying nature in their everyday lives, to increase their participation in society, and to create a space for interaction between immigrants and local people.
The guide will be available on the All Our Children website. It is primarily meant for professionals and volunteer workers but can also be used by others who want to implement nature-based activities. In addition to immigrant families, the guide can be used with other client groups, taking their individual needs into consideration.
In a two-way integration process, immigrants moving to a new country acquire knowledge and skills needed in that society, while the receiving society changes and becomes more diverse. Therefore, we recommend that local Finnish families participate in the excursions in order to foster interaction between immigrants and locals by using nature as a platform for positive encounters. The suggested nature-based excursions and activities in the guide are based on the concepts of participation, positive interaction and Green Care.
The guide, entitled Kohdataan luonnossa (Let’s Meet in Nature), consists of information on the benefits of nature and nature-based integration, suggested nature excursions, activities and locations, and practical information for excursion organisers. The sets of suggested nature excursions are based on the four different seasons and their characteristics and each set consists of three excursions. The aim of these excursions is to introduce immigrants to different ways of enjoying nature in their everyday lives, to increase their participation in society, and to create a space for interaction between immigrants and local people.
The guide will be available on the All Our Children website. It is primarily meant for professionals and volunteer workers but can also be used by others who want to implement nature-based activities. In addition to immigrant families, the guide can be used with other client groups, taking their individual needs into consideration.