European Conference Debate Fostering a Dialogue About Successful Policies Integrating Migrants

BRUSSELS, April 6/PRNewswire/ -- Housing is one of the most important aspects concerning integration of
people with a migrant background. Together with having a good job and a
satisfactory family life, living in adequate accommodation is regarded as the
most necessary prerequisite for a good and reasonable quality of life. From
the wider perspective of the society or community at large, housing for
residents with a migrant background is an important area of action and
policy, since their housing is a crucial factor for the structural
integration of individuals and groups.

The economic and cultural integration of migrants represents both a
challenge and an opportunity for all EU Member States. Many of the challenges
have had to be dealt with at local level. Cities and local authorities have a
vital role to play, not only in the implementation of integration policies,
but also in the development of innovative policies on housing, education and
cultural diversity.

The conference 'European cities integrating migrants: From Amsterdam to
Zagreb: Fostering a dialogue about successful policies' will gather EU policy
makers, Mayors of several European cities, experts, national and regional
representatives, civil society and social partners in Brussels on 7 April
2008. The conference will look at measures of good practice in the various
cities and discuss the development of guidelines for good practice to help
cities cope more effectively with the challenge of integrating migrants.
Based on the findings in the report 'Housing and integration of migrants in
Europe', the analysis assesses the role of companies, social partners, and
religious, non-governmental and voluntary organisations at local level in
supporting and developing more successful migrant integration policies.

This report from the CLIP network - the European network of cities for
local integration policies for migrants - aims to present and analyse
innovative policies and their successful implementation at the local level by
highlighting innovative and good practise examples from 20 cities involved in
the project. It argues for an integrated, cross-departmental approach to
policies targeting housing issues, the integration of migrants and other
municipal areas. Such a regular interdisciplinary collaboration within the
municipal administration should be accompanied by cooperation and
partnerships with local bodies, such as NGOs, welfare organisations,
churches, chamber of commerce, unions and associations representing landlords
and tenants. The report and research to date is aimed at supporting the
emerging European policy debate with innovative concepts of integration
policy on the local level, and to communicate the policy-relevant experiences
and outputs of the CLIP network to policymakers.

Further information about the event can be downloaded at
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/events/2008/confclip070408/index.htm

The report 'Housing and integration of migrants in Europe' can be
downloaded from
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0794.htm

Notes to Editors

The conference 'European cities integrating migrants: From Amsterdam to
Zagreb: Fostering a dialogue about successful policies' is coorganised by the
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
(Eurofound), the Dublin-based EU agency, with the Committee of the Regions,
the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and the
European Commission.

The CLIP network - the European network of cities for local integration
policies for migrants - which was officially launched in Dublin in September
2006, brings together 25 large European cities in a joint learning process
over several years; the network seeks to support the social and economic
integration of migrants, combat social inequalities and discrimination, and
to help migrants to preserve their cultural identity. With this joint
initiative, the partners involved continue their longstanding work in the
field of social inclusion.

Eurofound

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working
Conditions (Eurofound) is a tripartite EU body, whose role is to provide key
actors in social policymaking with findings, knowledge and advice drawn from
comparative research. Eurofound was established by Council Regulation EEC No.
1365/75 of 26 May 1975. Eurofound is located in Dublin, Ireland.

For more information, visit http://www.eurofound.europa.eu

The Committee of the Regions (CoR)

Around two-thirds of EU legislation is implemented at local government
level. The Committee of the Regions is the European institution tasked with
giving representatives of regional and local authorities a say over the
content of this legislation. Its 344 members, including regional presidents,
city mayors and municipal councillors, issue recommendations, known as
opinions, in response to legislative proposals tabled by the European
Commission.

For media enquiries, contact:

- M=E5ns M=E5rtensson, Eurofound, on telephone +353-1-204-3124, mobile
+353-876-593-507, or email mma@eurofound.europa.eu

- Dennis Abbott, Committee of the Regions, on telephone: +32-2-282-20-99
or email: dennis.abbott@cor.europa.eu

- Dmitri Marchenkov, Council of Europe, telephone: +33-3-88-41-38-44,
mobile: +33-6-75-65-03-49 , or email: dmitri.marchenkov@coe.int

- Friso Roscam Abbing, European Commission, telephone: +32-2-296-6746
or email: friso.roscam-abbing@ec.europa.eu

Source: Eurofound

For media enquiries, contact M=E5ns M=E5rtensson, Eurofound, on telephone +353-1-204-3124, mobile +353-876-593-507, or email mma@eurofound.europa.eu; Dennis Abbott, Committee of the Regions, on telephone: +32-2-282-20-99, or email: dennis.abbott@cor.europa.eu; Dmitri Marchenkov, Council of Europe, telephone: +33-3-88-41-38-44, mobile: +33-6-75-65-03-49 , or email: dmitri.marchenkov@coe.int; Friso Roscam Abbing, European Commission, telephone: +32-2-296-6746, or email: friso.roscam-abbing@ec.europa.eu

2008-04-06 04:10:11 0328749 PRNEWSWIRE