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Real people, true stories refugees for more inclusive societies - Discussion Paper

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RECOMMENDATIONS

These recommendations draw on the viewpoints and ideas presented by the authors of the articles in this discussion paper:

  1. Streamline the work permit process and recognise and reward companies which hire refugees to encourage a more diverse workforce.

  2. Offer vocational training opportunities in order to ease refugees’ entry into the workforce.

  3. Encourage local communities to embrace newcomers as active citizens – as well as entrepreneurs and job-creators – in their community.

  4. Integration is not about forgetting where you are from – offer refugees opportunities to study in their mother tongues.

  5. Update education systems to emphasise diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities for all.

  6. Start early – teach children about their host countries’ colonial pasts, historical migration trends and their civic responsibilities.

  7. Improve information on official and informal refugee assistance programmes and networks, and make sure that those tasked with helping refugees are up to speed on national and local bureaucratic procedures.

  8. Take a gendered approach to migration and integration and pay attention to the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable.

  9. Provide counselling and assistance to refugees who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological ailments.

  10. Take a more integrated approach to welcoming and protecting refugees, including through cooperation with faith-based organisations.

  11. Listen and learn – include newcomers in policy debates about their own futures.

  12. Narratives matter – craft a more positive, realistic and fact-based narrative around migrants and refugees which does not stigmatise them as the ‘other’.

  13. Don’t shy away from a respectful, open and frank dialogue on values and traditions as well as other questions which concern locals and newcomers.