Refugee issues
Representatives of governments and experts on refugee affairs from the Nordic countries and the Baltic states are meeting in Hafnarfjörður for the next two days to discuss the integration of refugees. The meeting is being held in the old Learning Centre by the Stream in Hafnarfjörður.
European consultation on the reception and integration of refugees
Representatives of governments and experts on refugee affairs from the Nordic countries and the Baltic states are meeting in Hafnarfjörður for the next two days to discuss the integration of refugees. The meeting is being held at the old Learning Centre by the stream in Hafnarfjörður.
Implementation of cooperation between refugees and the host country
The focus of the group's discussion will be on the rights of refugees, on their opportunity to integrate into the host country and contribute to society. The title of the meeting is Integration of Refugees in Europe or the integration of refugees in Europe. The focus will be on how to provide refugees with appropriate support for active participation in society on their own terms. It is anticipated that the number of refugees will increase significantly in the coming months, which emphasises the importance of working together and developing procedures for services provided to refugees. The aim is to find an effective approach that guides both the interests, rights, and responsibilities of the refugees and of the community.
Great hopes are pinned on increased cooperation between all relevant parties.
Iceland is welcoming groups of refugees, and it is important to do so in the right way. The most crucial thing is to ensure that refugees are able to integrate into society, and that their skills, ideas and contributions are valued, thereby fostering a multicultural society. A group of Syrian refugees arrived in the country at the beginning of April, and the municipality of Hafnarfjörður took in three families, or 11 individuals. The past few weeks have been spent helping the families to settle in quickly and safely, and providing appropriate advice and services. Part of the service is Icelandic language tuition, and the group has been studying Icelandic for the past few weeks. Some are already able to say a few words in Icelandic. The Syrian refugees will most likely meet a representative at their meeting in the next two days, as the classes are held in the same building.
A meeting on refugee issues will take place at the old Learning Centre by the Stream on 8–9 June. The meeting is being held with the support of the Nordic Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the City of Hafnarfjörður and the Ministry of Welfare.