ADC Co-Hosts Nordic Somali Delegation
Recently, a group of 10 Somali delegates from the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark were in Minnesota on a task to examine the integration of Somali immigrants into American society.
The Integration of Ethnic Minorities, a Sub-Regional Project for the Nordic Countries, is sponsored by the Office of International Visitors, U.S. Department of State. The Minnesota host for the delegates is the Minnesota International Center, specifically Mr. Daniel Getahun, IVLP Manager. As part of their visit here, they spent the day with the African Development Center.
Monday morning, the delegates arrived to tour the ADC office and meet with Executive Director Hussein Samatar. The setting was the Meridel Le Sueur Conference Room, where the delegates and their hosts listened to Samatar speak about business development work in the African community here in the Twin Cities. Samatar shared the surprising statistic that since 1993, there have been more than 2000 small businesses started by Somali immigrants in Minnesota. Later, the group asked very pointed questions about the level of integration of Somalis into the mainstream society, and how they were able to thrive here as entrepreneurs. The group also had the opportunity to meet the ADC staff after their meeting with Mr. Samatar. Here are a couple of photos from the early morning meeting:
Several members of the ADC Business Development team then accompanied the group to a couple of the Somali Malls in Minneapolis so they could see first hand the swell of entrepreneurship of these new immigrants. For lunch they ate at the Safari Express, a Somali restaurant owned by ADC client Jamal Hashi (known for their camel burgers!).
After lunch, the delegates visited the Minneapolis Central Library in beautiful Downtown Minneapolis. Later they met with a local freelance writer who reports on immigrant issues. They were also able to meet with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (5th District) regarding his representation of the Somali community in his district.
After a day full of bustling activity, and a brief rest, the group returned to ADC for a private reception to bring together local leaders and special guests from the Somali and Nordic communities in the Twin Cities. The honorary consuls from the Nordic countries were present at the reception.
The delegates had the opportunity to talk to a variety of people from all walks of life about their experiences here in the U.S., particularly in Minnesota. Their consensus was that the Minnesota immigrant experience was unique in that it created a balance between allowing immigrants to retain enough of their own culture, while integrating into and thriving in the mainstream community. While there is a lot of poverty and occasional tensions present, Minnesota has managed to create a welcoming space for immigrants from all corners of the world to raise their families and grow into the fabric of Midwestern life.
What the delegates took home with them, is what ADC has known for some time – Minneapolis is a diverse world-class city with great opportunities for those willing to work hard to attain success.
It was the pleasure of ADC to welcome these visitors to our great state and city, and we look forward to sharing our information and experiences internationally.
