RECOMMENDATIONS
These recommendations draw on the viewpoints and ideas presented by the authors of the articles in this discussion paper:
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Streamline the work permit process and recognise and reward companies which hire refugees to encourage a more diverse workforce.
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Offer vocational training opportunities in order to ease refugees’ entry into the workforce.
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Encourage local communities to embrace newcomers as active citizens – as well as entrepreneurs and job-creators – in their community.
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Integration is not about forgetting where you are from – offer refugees opportunities to study in their mother tongues.
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Update education systems to emphasise diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
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Start early – teach children about their host countries’ colonial pasts, historical migration trends and their civic responsibilities.
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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.
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Take a gendered approach to migration and integration and pay attention to the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable.
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Provide counselling and assistance to refugees who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological ailments.
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Take a more integrated approach to welcoming and protecting refugees, including through cooperation with faith-based organisations.
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Listen and learn – include newcomers in policy debates about their own futures.
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Narratives matter – craft a more positive, realistic and fact-based narrative around migrants and refugees which does not stigmatise them as the ‘other’.
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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.