The FOR-IN 2.0 kick-off conference on 9-10 April highlighted four key pillars of inclusive cities, presenting inclusivity as a two-way process and exploring the meanings of integration and inclusion from the perspectives of migrant and refugee communities in host countries.

The conference featured six sessions, each dedicated to presentations and discussions on the following topics:

• holistic integration ecosystems at the local level
• inclusive workplaces
• resilient communities
• language training
• evidence-based policy response

During the conference, participants had the opportunity to connect and network with experts and practitioners from the Baltic and Nordic countries, representatives of civil society organizations, and youth delegates.

Conference Recordings & Presentations

April 9, Day 1

Welcoming Remarks

Kick-off Debate: Shaping Inclusive Cities Together? Who and how?

Migrant Integration: Insights from the International Migration Outlook 2024. Keynote by Ana Damas de Matos, OECD

Holistic local level integration ecosystem

• Rita Marascalchi, Intercultural Inclusion Unit, Anti-Discrimination Department, Council of Europe
• Olga Gren, Welcome House in Stockholm, Sweden
• Marit Cathrine Lind Karlsen, Inspector at Adult Education Center in Tromsø Municipality, Norway

Labour market inclusion and inclusive workplaces

• Aicha Manai, Start-up-Refugees, Finland
• Ragnar Granstrand, Skellefteå Municipality, Sweden

April 10, Day 2

Building resilient communities: proactive outreach for preparedness planning, integration and inclusion

• Abdulrazzak Awf, Syrian Community, Lithuania
• Yanika Wilen, Mirsal, Finland

Inclusive methodologies of language training: thinking outside the box

• Language training in Roskilde Kommune. Mette Lherbier, UCplus Language Center, Denmark
• Language training and labour market inclusion. Louise Norstedt, ELVIRA
• Towards a systematic approach to language training. Laura Perevičiūtė, Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Lithuania

From research to impact: leveraging data for real-world solutions

• Bethina Strandberg-Jensen, Nordforsk
• Fjóla María Lárusdóttir, Education and Training Service Center, Iceland

The conference is a part of the Scandinavian Days in Kaunas, and is  arranged by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania in close cooperation with UNHCR Representation for the Nordic and Baltic countries, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Kaunas City Municipality,  Nordic Council of Ministers Offices in Estonia and Latvia, Nordic Welfare Centre and NordForsk. The event is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers grant to the Nordic -Baltic project Fostering refugee and immigrant integration│ FOR-IN 2.0.