Filenews 6 December 2024
The Government places particular emphasis on the integration of migrants residing legally in the Republic and is now in the process of elaborating and formulating the Strategic Plan for the Integration of legally residing migrants, as well as the drafting of the relevant Action Plan, the Deputy Minister of Migration said today in his address and International Protection, Dr. Nicolas A. Ioannides, speaking at the final conference of the project "Broadening structures and policies for intercultural integration in Cyprus".
At the same time, he said that the integration of today's migrants is not only a social challenge, but also an opportunity to "build a community based on mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, in a way that ensures both social cohesion and public order and national security."
In his address, which was read on his behalf by the Director of the Office of Dr. Lambros Kaoullas, the Deputy Minister of Migration, referring to today's meeting, said that it is an important milestone for the evaluation and presentation of the achievements of a project that had as its central objective to empower local communities, expand cooperation with migrant organizations and enhance integration through innovative actions.
This project, which began at the end of 2023 and ends today, said Dr. Ioannides, was funded by the European Commission, and specifically by the Directorate General for Structural Reform Support through the Technical Assistance tool, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Migration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus. The aim of the programme was to support and expand the integration structures created during the period 2021-2023, as part of a previous project that was also funded by the European Commission.
Among other things, the project concerns the operation of local intercultural integration networks in the five districts of free Cyprus. Intercultural networks, he said, are cooperation structures between the state, local authorities and civil society organizations, which during the project had the coordinating role, with the state undertaking the central coordination of these.
Through these networks, integration actions were elaborated and implemented, such as historical walks for the acquaintance of immigrants with the history and culture of Cyprus, innovative Greek language courses, cultural events in collaboration with immigrants, organization of information days and conduct of various other actions, equally important for the smooth integration of legally residing immigrants into Cypriot society, pointed out Mr Ioannidis.
Some of the most important elements that emerged during the project, he noted, "are the key role of local government in the issues of integration policies of immigrants in local communities, as well as the importance of cooperation between the state, local government and civil society organizations on issues related to the social policy of the state".
In conclusion, as the results of the project show, the sincere and excellent cooperation between the state, local government and civil society organizations on migrant integration issues results in multiple benefits, with the most important benefit being the concerted effort of all social actors to address social phenomena, such as social exclusion and marginalization.
Concluding, Mr. Ioannides said that "Cyprus is a country with a long history and culture, at the geographical crossroads of three continents, affected by significant population movements over the centuries. Therefore, there is a tradition in the peaceful coexistence of Cypriots with other peoples."
CNA
