Integration

Integration/Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion (LMI)

Integration is defined as the two-way process of mutual adaptation between migrants and host societies in which migrants are included into the life of the receiving community. As such, integration entails a set of joint responsibilities for migrants and host communities, and, in this broad understanding, incorporates other related notions such as social inclusion and social cohesion. Integration is a cross-cutting and multi-dimensional issue that pertains to policy areas addressing the economic, social, legal, linguistic, cultural, and civic spheres and impacts all aspects of migrants’ lives and their communities. Integration is essential for all stakeholders, not only as a way of providing economic and cultural benefits but also for ensuring the security and stability of societies as a whole.

IOM's approach

Since the 1950s, IOM has implemented programmes that assist Member States with the integration of migrants. IOM views integration as an essential component of effective and comprehensive migration management to promote social inclusion and good relations across diverse groups, thereby contributing towards diverse yet inclusive and cohesive societies. While integration is highly contextual and varies across countries, IOM recognizes that successful integration is a dynamic and multi-directional process that involves mutual adaptation of migrants and of the host society, based on principles of protection of fundamental rights, respect, tolerance and non-discrimination. 

IOM supports policies that promote the social, economic and cultural inclusion of migrants within existing legal frameworks in countries of destination. IOM’s work on integration focuses on the development of strategies that help migrants to better integrate into new communities as well as empowering host communities and other local actors to receive and engage with migrants. In line with the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, IOM’s global programming on integration takes a “whole-of-community” approach and covers critical phases of the migration continuum, linking pre-departure and post-arrival activities, as well as migrant inclusion and social cohesion interventions, to ensure maximum effectiveness and benefit diverse populations.

For more information, please visit www.iom.int/migrant-integration-and-social-cohesion

Integration in Austria

IOM Austria supports the two-way integration process through a number of well-established activities with the following focus:

• Engagement with receiving communities and local authorities: capacity building programmes for local communities consist of training and information sessions on topics such as country portraits of frequent countries of origin of migrants as well as intercultural communication and conflict management;
• Engagement with migrants and the media: highlight the positive contributions of migrants, address negative perceptions of migrants and offer a platform for migrants to tell their own stories by helping them develop skills such as film making and digital storytelling;
• Empowerment of migrants regarding civic participation: provide civic education through greater engagement with local authorities, linguistic and cross-cultural mediators and migrant organizations and improve knowledge regarding protection against discrimination.

Contact

Integration/Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Unit
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Country Office for Austria
Nibelungengasse 13/4
1010 Vienna

Tel: +43 1 585 33 22 
Email: integrationvienna@iom.int 

Banner image: © Nick Mangafas