OSCE/ODIHR's regional expert workshop discusses good practices in migrant integration

Civic orientation and language support programmes in migrant integration were the focus of the regional expert workshop "Good Practices in Integration of Migrants in line with OSCE Commitments and International Legal Standards" held in Riga on 17 and 18 March 2016.

This event is organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network within the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

Bringing together 50 participants, mostly officials responsible for migrant integration issues from relevant ministries and agencies of Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and the United Kingdom, the workshop provided an opportunity to discuss good practices identified by OSCE participating States in dealing with civic orientation programmes, language-learning assistance to migrants, as well as anti-discrimination measures and combating intolerance and hate crimes in line with relevant OSCE commitments, international legal standards and national legislation.

Experts from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the independent think tank Migration Policy Group, and other representatives from civil society organizations and academia also participated in the meeting.

"This workshop provided an excellent opportunity to exchange good practices in integration of immigrants and lessons learned by states," said Maira Roze, the Deputy Head of the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. "We believe that the conclusions of this event may be used to improve the Immigration Law of Latvia, introducing a new Chapter on immigrant integration, and the information on practical use of specific integration measures may also facilitate the considered implementation of the Action Plan on Relocation of Persons In Need of International Protection and Their Reception in Latvia."

This event is part of ODIHR’s ongoing efforts to support OSCE participating States in the implementation of their commitments in the area of migrant integration, an area of increasing focus and relevance in the context of the current migration crisis.