Nature-based integration [book]

Kati Pitkänen, Joose Oratuomi, Daniela Hellgren, Eeva Furman, Sandra Gentin, Eva Sandberg, Hogne Øian, Olve Krange
2017 TemaNord  
Nature-based integration Nordic countries a number of practical projects and initiatives have been launched to promote the benefits of nature in integration. There is also increasing academic interest in immigrants' and multicultural encounters with nature in several fields. Nordic countries have the potential of becoming real forerunners in nature-based integration even at the global scale However, the information and experiences gathered in the current initiatives and projects have remained
more » ... ry fragmented, not transferred across Nordic borders or even nationally. Moreover, the academic knowledge is not effectively applied by the NGOs or public and private actors. One of the reasons for the fragmentation of nature-based integration is the lack of clarity of the concepts applied. At the moment, it is unclear what exactly is meant by nature-based integration, what should its' goals be and whether it should be understood as the means to an end or the end itself. The report ends with several recommendations including finding common definitions and concepts, better integrating the immigrant perspective into development of the practices, identification of best-practices and evaluating their potential for upscaling across borders, setting up a Nordic platform for knowledge exchange and better integration of nature-based integration in the official integration policies and integration work at the public sector. Nature-based integration also increasingly diverged from nature, the role of nature for Nordic cultural identity is still very strong. Many studies have found positive benefits of natural and rural landscapes for human health and well-being. Outdoor life and being "exposed" to nature can contribute positively to the physical, mental and social well-being (e.g. Puhakka, Pitkänen & Siikamäki 2016). Contact with nature alleviates stress, lowers blood pressure, enhances human immune system and activates people to move. It enhances concentration, restoration and has the potential to cure mental wounds and to help people to become a whole person. Nature-based activities can promote people's mutual interaction and their sense of community. However, factors such as age, gender, economic status, upbringing in rural or urban settings and current living environment as well as ethnic origin contribute to people's practices in, and possibilities to, engage with nature and in the ways landscapes are perceived and interpreted. Studies show that nature and outdoor recreation can promote immigrants' psychological and sociocultural adaptation. Immigrants do appreciate and use nature in many ways, sometimes also in ways which are not traditionally Nordic. In the middle of a foreign culture nature and green spaces can provide comfort, safety, a place to get together, and a platform for meaningful activities and intercultural communication and cooperation (see Faehnle et al. 2010; Stodolska, Peters & Horolets 2016; Gentin 2015;. On the other hand, there is also evidence that immigrants' and refugees' experience of Nordic natural and cultural landscapes is not self-evidently positive; nature may be experienced e.g. frightening, incomprehensible or non-accessible. Changing of seasons and winter conditions, unfamiliar landscapes and animals, poor accessibility, not knowing what is allowed, cultural traditions, social norms, fear of racism and lack of support may become obstacles for outdoor recreation. Nonetheless, a connection to nature can be a channel to Nordic culture and language with using the entire palette of senses. To pave the way for Nordic cooperation and knowledge exchange in nature-based integration ORIGIN project set out to explore current experiences, key actors, barriers and opportunities in four different Nordic countries. The project team brought together representatives of research organisations, NGOs and public sector from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The team jointly designed and carried out an online survey in these four countries. In addition, a Nordic workshop was organised in Helsinki with several presentations from each of the participating countries. This report summarises the results of the project. The survey results are presented in chapter 4. Chapter 5 sums up the results Nature-based integration 9 of the workshop and the participants' feedback. To deepen the understanding of practices of nature-based integration chapter 6 is devoted to examples of current practices written by project partners from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The report ends in conclusions and recommendations for future research and development.
doi:10.6027/tn2017-517 fatcat:h7rinyiwdrd37e76pva3rwlb7i