| Integration |
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IOM considers that Integration is an essential aspect of effective migration management. It addresses the challenges of how migrants settle into their new host communities, how they are received by that community, and how they are able to maintain links to their home culture. Integration is a two way process of adaptation by migrants and receiving societies at a number of levels: economic, social, cultural, and political. The success of integration depends on the willingness and committment of foreigners to adapt to their new environment, but also on the preparedness of host communities to accept newcomers and their families. IOM has for decades been implementing programs in support of the integration of migrants in traditional immigration countries such as Australia, Canada, and the USA. Services provided within the frame of these programs include language training, cultural orientation, travel documentation and transport assistance, health assessment, pre-departure treatment or counselling for certain health conditions, medical escorts and post-arrival referrals to facilitate integration.These activities have expanded in recent years to address the wider spectrum of integration needs of both migrants and receiving societies, as well as some governments’ increasing preference to factor integration into their overall policies on migration. IOM's integration-related activities include research, awareness raising campaigns, education and training, facilitation of dialogue between communities, etc. Current IOM Helsinki projects in the area of Integration: |