Decision Rules for Ranking Multiculturalism Policies for Immigrant Minorities

In evaluating multiculturalism policies related to immigrant minorities, this paper uses eight indicators. These are described briefly below. For each indicator, policy documents, program guidelines, legislation, government news releases and secondary sources were examined to assess the extent to which a country has met or exceeded the standard outlined in the indicator.

1. Constitutional, legislative or parliamentary affirmation of multiculturalism at the central and/or regional and municipal levels and the existence of a government ministry, secretariat or advisory board to implement this policy in consultation with ethnic communities

   Yes:	Country has affirmed multiculturalism and has an implementing body.
   Limited:	Country has not affirmed multiculturalism explicitly, but has a relevant body; multiculturalism may also have been affirmed in some municipalities, but not nationally.
   No:	Country has not affirmed multiculturalism and does not have an implementing body.

    
2. The adoption of multiculturalism in school curriculum

   Yes:	Country has included multiculturalism in its curriculum
   Partially:	Country has not formally or extensively adopted multiculturalism in its curriculum, but has engaged in rhetoric that supports such inclusion, implemented it in some districts, or developed intercultural or anti-racism education initiatives.
   No:	Multiculturalism is not included in school curriculum.

    
3. The inclusion of ethnic representation / sensitivity in the mandate of public media or media licensing

   Yes:	Ethnic representation, inclusion, sensitivity or diversity is included in the mandate of public broadcaster or media licensing.
   No:	Ethnic representation not mentioned in mandate of public broadcaster or media licensing.

    
4. Exemptions from dress codes (either by statute or court cases)

   Yes:	Country has granted exemptions or accommodations on religious grounds.
   Partially:	Some exemptions have been granted, but others have been explicitly denied.
   No:	Country does not grant exemptions or accommodations on religious grounds Note: In an earlier version of the Index, the presence (or absence) of Sunday-closing legislation was evaluated as part of this indictor. Although a number of countries were found to have provisions that allow shops to open and close on days of their choosing, it was often not clear whether such policies were a response to multiculturalism, or other—often economic—considerations. As such, this measure has been excluded from this version of the Index.

    
5. Allowing of dual citizenship

   Yes:	Dual citizenship is permitted; foreign nationals may retain their original citizenship even after acquiring the citizenship of the host country. Note that some countries’ citizenship policies distinguish between the citizenship rights of foreign nationals and those of native-born émigrés.
   Partially:	Dual citizenship is officially prohibited, but tolerated in practice.
   No:	Dual citizenship is not permitted; foreign nationals must renounce or relinquish their original citizenship before acquiring the citizenship of the host country.

    
6. The funding of ethnic group organizations or activities

   Yes:	Ethnic groups are provided state funding in the form of core- or project-based support.
   Partially/ Limited:	Some ethnic groups receive state funding, but the practice is not widespread and the funding may be restricted to supporting the delivery of integration and settlement programs.
   No:	Ethnic groups do not receive state support.

    
7. The funding of bilingual education or mother-tongue instruction

   Yes:	Country funds bilingual education or mother-tongue instruction either for children or adults.
   Partially/ Limited:	Available in some provinces, states or areas, but not offered as a general rule.
   No:	Country does not fund bilingual education or mother-tongue instruction; refers also to cases where bilingual education is provided, but only as a means of facilitating the learning of the country’s official language.

    
8. Affirmative action for disadvantaged immigrant groups

   Yes:	Country has an affirmative action policy that targets immigrant minorities; this may be in the public or private sector or both. Initiatives will extend beyond human rights policies and include targeted action aimed at removing barriers or more positive action measures such as quotas or preferential hiring.
   No:	Country has no affirmative action policy for immigrant minorities