In June 2006, the VNG, the Ministry of Justice, the IND and the NVVB organized three regional meetings on the introduction of naturalization ceremonies. Following after this municipalities have asked for a feedback session at the naturalization ceremonies in the Netherlands. Part of this was the visit from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). Representatives of this Insituut were invited bij the VNG to attend three Dutch naturalization ceremonies at various locations in the Netherlands. The first ceremony was held on June 19, 2007 in Amsterdam. Part of the program in Amsterdam was a visit to the municipal Bos en Lommer. This area was chosen to get an impression of how their new citizens go through the naturalization process before being part of the naturalization ceremony. This presentation has contributed hereby.

1. Welcome in Bos en Lommer Presentation by Gerda Sordam Social Development and Service support Sector Maatschappelijke Ontwikkeling en Dienstverlening Well-Being and Health department Afdeling Welzijn en Zorg Tel.: 020-5814795 E-mail: g.sordam@bosenlommer.amsterdam.nl

5. Bos en Lommersquare The Bos en Lommersquare is situated in the Gulden Winckel Area. The square constitutes the heart, the very centre of Bos en Lommer. Here you can experience and enjoy the benefits and attractions of Bos en Lommer’s multicultural composition.

7. ROC The ROC facility offers educational courses for adults and is situated in the Gulden Winckel Area. The ROC focuses on improving the working-perspectives of adults as well as of young people by teaching them basic skills and offering technical and vocational training. The courses vary from Dutch lessons to the so called learn-and-work programmes. This regional education centre works together with social organisations such as the Service Centre Bos en Lommer. The ROC is the only institute where you can acquire a nationally recognised Dutch language certificate.

8. Mansveltschool Foundation The Mansveltschool Foundation is an activity center. In the Center two different types of Volunteer organisations are based: The Turkish Anatolie Foundation and the Moroccan Fath Foundation. Together with a variety of other social organisations they plan and realise all sorts of activities. From political debates to cultural events to information meetings on subjects such as social security, law and order, health, (re)migration, education and the upbringing of children. Everything is possible, as long as the activity meets the requirement of offering functional information and support to the citizens of Bos en Lommer. The activities in the Mansveltschool also offer a practical contribution to the process of integration into the Dutch society of new citizens.

9. Podium Mozaïek (Mosaic) Until 2005 the building that now accommodates Podium Mozaïek functioned as a Christian Church. The European Union, together with the local authorities, invested in this Platform for international encounters and cultural productions. The main goal of the Multicultural Podium Mozaïek Foundation is to promote intercultural professional relations and pave the way for new kinds of cultural entrepreneurship and forms of artistic expression. Many years before the realisation of this cultural platform already a process of integration and participation by different groups with a foreign background could be observed. Groups that were represented by established social-and volunteer- organizations. Their initiative to develop their citizenship further is sponsored by the European Union.