The Central European Integration Forum organized by the Institute of Migrant Rights, Foundation Ukraine, will be held in Wroclaw on June 5. Get to know the details of the event!
Poland, until recently a country with an extremely homogeneous nationality structure, has become a new home for millions of migrants in just a few years. Russian invasion of Ukraine made Poland one of the countries with the largest number of refugees in the world almost overnight. Similar processes, although occurring with varying intensity, are affecting most countries in Central and Eastern Europe. We have coped with the challenge of providing emergency assistance for refugees, but we are dealing with a long-term phenomenon that will permanently change the ethnic structure of societies in the region.
This gives rise to the need for creating friendly living conditions for all residents as soon as possible and support the migrants‘ civic engagement. In doing so, it is worth turning to the experience and solutions of the other countries to improve the integration process and prevent negative phenomena.
To this end, the Institute of Migrant Rights has initiated the establishment of the Central European Integration Forum, which makes a major contribution to the social and cultural development of the Lower Silesia region and promotes tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
What is the Central European Integration Forum?
The Integration Forum is an annual free event organized and represented by the Institute of Migrant Rights, which operates in Wroclaw and Lower Silesia. It is a series of panel discussions that address issues related to the integration, adaptation and education of refugees and migrants living in Wroclaw and Lower Silesia. The discussions are aimed at increasing public awareness about the problems of refugees and migrants, building bridges between different cultures and nationalities, and exchanging information and contacts between organizations, institutions and entities dealing with migrant issues or working with migrants.
The Integration Forum will feature experts in the fields of politics, education and law, including representatives of universities, government, local government and NGOs, as well as social activists. They are also invited to participate in discussions on various aspects related to migrants’ life and social integration.
Photo report from the Central European Integration Forum in 2022
Panel discussions will cover issues such as the process of adaptation to a new environment, linguistic, cultural and legal issues, the chance to get an education and find employment, the situation of migrant families and children, and a general and synthetic picture of the situation of refugees and migrants in Poland and Europe. Workshops and seminars may also be held during the event, where participants can gain knowledge and skills, as well as make contacts and exchange experiences.
After the Integration Forum, the organizers will conduct an analysis of the event to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. After that, they will prepare a report on the event and a plan for the future. The evaluation of the panels will also help clarify the common goals of the participants and establish effective cooperation on future projects.
This year’s edition of the Central European Integration Forum will be held on June 5 at 10 Widok Street, European Parliament Office in Wroclaw. The event is closed, while all those interested are invited to watch the live broadcast, which will appear on the European Parliament Office’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PEWroclaw on the day of the event.
The Central European Integration Forum 2023 event schedule:
Monday, 05.06.2023 | 10:00 – 18:15
10:00 – 10:20 – start of the Forum. Introduction of the organizers: Info-Forum-Polregio, the Institute of Migrant Rights, the Office of the European Parliament and the Queen Riches Prize, thanks to which the Forum is held, as well as a welcome to Josef Neumann – MP for Landtag NPW.
10:30 – 10:50 – rearrangement of Poland’s migration situation before February 24, 2022.
11:00 – 13:00 – Multicultural Poland – is it possible? What are the biggest challenges? Is there a need to redefine the concept of nation? What should be done so that all social groups live with each other and not side by side?
Moderated by Bartłomiej Potocki – Director of the Institute of Migrant Rights, special speaker – Katarzyna Sobańska-Laskowska, Plenipotentiary of the RPO.
13:30 – 15:30 – The European Union as a destination of migrants. Powers and support of the EU. Competencies and challenges of member countries.
Moderated by Leszek Gas – Director of the European Parliament Office in Wroclaw, special speaker – Janina Ochojska, Polish humanitarian activist, Member of the European Parliament of the 9th term.
16:00 – 18:00 – Integration and social participation at the local government level. What about the concerns of the host society, how to talk to them about social participation of migrants? The North Rhine-Westphalia’s experience transfer.
Moderated by Joanna Szymanska, scientific manager of Info-Forum-Polregio in NRW, special speaker – Bartlomiej Ciązynski, vice-mayor of Wroclaw.
18:00 – 18:15 – the Forum clothing ceremony including thanks to guests, speakers and audience.
The Central European Integration Forum is organized by the Institute of Migrant Rights (Foundation Ukraine), the European Parliament Office and Info-Forum-Polregio. The event is financed thanks to the Queen Riches Prize.
