The Mutual Benefits of Integrating Migrants Into Host Societies

What are the good practices that can improve the integration of migrants and refugees into host societies? What would be the mutual benefits of improved integration? A high-level panel will address these issues at a side event to the upcoming IOM Council meeting in Geneva on 30 November (13:00-15:00, Room XVII, Palais des Nations).

The Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the UN in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of the Order of Malta, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), Caritas Internationalis and the Caritas in Veritate Foundation are pleased to invite you to attend this high-level event taking place on the sidelines of the 108th Council of the UN Agency for Migration (IOM).

An unprecedented 65.6 million people around the world have been forced from their homes in search of peace and security. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refugees, half of whom are under the age of 18.

An urgent and appropriate response by host governments and local communities should include addressing refugees’ immediate needs as well as fostering a spirit of welcome and acceptance of newcomers among host communities.

The panel will discuss the integration of migrants into host societies and identify practical recommendations and good practices that could feed into the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration.

Speakers
• H.E. Cardinal Reinhard Marx
Archbishop of Munich, Chair of the German Bishops’ Conference
• H.E. Mr. Abdelkrim Benoutiq
Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of Moroccans living abroad and Migration Affairs
• H.E. Ambassador William Lacy Swing
Director-General, IOM
• H.E. Ambassador Rosemary McCarney (tbc)
Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva
• Ms. Carol Batchelor
Director of the Internal Protection Department, UNHCR
• Ms. Anne Dussart (tbc)
President of the Board of Directors of ICMC Europe

Moderator
• H.E. Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva