1. État, peuple, Authorities » 14. Right of Citizenship, établissement, Stay » 144. Integration of Foreigners

The State and the communes promote the integration of foreigners into the social environment of Jura and participate in the fight against racism.

The terms used in this ordinance to refer to persons apply equally to women and men.

The Cantonal Population Service is the administrative unit responsible for the integration of foreigners and the fight against racism. A regional cooperation with the Bernese Jura may be established. The Population Service acts as the liaison with federal authorities concerning migration, the integration of foreigners, and the fight against racism.

The Office of Integration is administratively attached to the Population Service.

Its mission is

a) to propose, initiate, and coordinate measures for the integration of foreigners and the prevention of racism implemented in the Canton;

b) to collaborate with cantonal and communal actors, associations, and public and private institutions active in the field of foreigner integration and the fight against racism;

c) to provide information and advice on foreigner integration, especially in the conduct of projects;

d) to participate in the welcome program for newcomers in the Canton;

e) to implement federal programs to promote integration in collaboration with the Federal Office for Migration.

1. A consultative commission is established for the integration of foreigners and the fight against racism (hereinafter referred to as "the commission").

Its mandate is as follows

a) to propose a cantonal policy for the integration of foreigners into the social environment of Jura;

b) to propose a cantonal policy for combating racism and preventing discrimination;

c) to provide preliminary opinions to the Government on applications for cantonal subsidies for projects related to integration and the fight against racism;

d) to assess the expectations of foreign communities in the fields of education and vocational training and to inform the Preschool and Compulsory Education Service, the Secondary II and Tertiary Education Service, and the Jura Center for Teaching and Training.

The commission may develop proposals for the Government and municipalities regarding the improvement of the legal and social status of foreigners, as well as measures to combat racism.

Regarding the education of foreign children, the commission's primary tasks are to

a) advise the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports on the application of Articles 3 to 7 of the school ordinance and the recommendations of inter-cantonal organizations regarding the schooling of children who are non-native speakers;

b) propose any useful measures to improve the conditions for teaching language and culture courses organized for foreign students;

c) develop proposals to promote intercultural approaches in Jura schools.

Any contacts the commission may have with schools occur through the relevant services.

The commission reviews all matters submitted to it by the Government, the department associated with the Population Service, and the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports.

The commission is informed of the changes in federal and cantonal legislation concerning foreigners and on issues related to the fight against racism. It is regularly provided with documentation on these subjects.

The commission is politically and confessionally neutral.

The commission is composed of

a) one president;

b) twelve representatives of established foreign communities or non-established foreign groups;

c) three representatives of communal authorities;

d) six representatives from the economic, social, and cultural sectors involved in issues of foreign integration and the fight against racism;

e) two representatives from the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports;

f) one representative of the teachers.

The services of the cantonal administration participate in commission meetings as consultants, when their presence is necessary.

The composition of the commission adheres to the principle of balanced representation between women and men.

The members of the commission are appointed by the Government upon the proposal of interested associations and communities.

The members of the commission are appointed for the duration of the cantonal legislature.

**The Presidency of the Commission**

The presidency of the commission is held by the head of the Population Service. Furthermore, the commission appoints its vice-president and constitutes itself. The secretariat of the commission is managed by the Bureau of Integration.

The president convenes the commission whenever he deems it necessary, but at least twice a year, or when thirteen members of the commission request it.

The commission may establish working groups for the study of specific issues, including matters regarding the schooling of foreign children.

With the agreement of the Department responsible for the Population Service, it may seek the advice of experts, according to a defined mandate.

The commission may delegate some of its members to represent it within other institutions or commissions.

The commission may only deliberate and make decisions if at least thirteen of its members, including seven representatives of foreign communities or entities, are present. Decisions are made by a show of hands with a simple majority of the members present. In the event of a tie, the chairperson casts the deciding vote.

The sessions of the commission are not public. The commission provides public information regarding its work and decisions, in accordance with the procedures it establishes.

The proposals submitted by the members and the decisions made by the committee are recorded in the minutes.

Ordinance of June 29, 1993, Implementing the School Law (School Ordinance) is amended as follows

Article 5

(Repealed.)

Ordinance of December 3, 2002, concerning the integration of foreigners and the fight against racism is repealed.

This ordinance shall enter into force on May 15, 2011.