8. Creating Opportunities for Refugee Integration
SUMMARY
Organizers:
David Hudson
EU Networks on Integration of Refugees in Europe
UNITED KINGDOM
david@refugeenet.org
Baha Abu-Laban
University of Alberta
CANADA
abulaban@ualberta.ca
Doug Durst
University of Regina
CANADA
doug.durst@uregina.ca
Description:
The focus of this workshop is the integration of refugees into different national contexts of settlement. To provide broad-based insights into the complex process of refugee integration, the workshop features: (1) research evidence on employment, educational and skill development/vocational training services that are actually provided in the host society, and the ways in which these services are provided; (2) refugee perceptions of the efficacy of these services; (3) the accomplishments of NGO's and other service providers in solving/mitigating a range of problems identified as obstacles to refugee integration; and (4) examples of legislation or public policy initiatives that may expand opportunities for both refugees and their dependents, by allowing for growth, access and equity.
The workshop is guided by the following questions: 1. What is the reality of integration for refugees and their dependents? 2. What practices do NGO's/service providers identify as "good" in refugee settlement ("good" practices are those that help to overcome problems and barriers to integration)? 3. What policies and practices are potentially transferable from one country to another? 4. What would be the main features of a comparative research agenda in the area of refugee settlement and integration?
Presenters
Baha Abu-Laban, University of Alberta, CANADA Paper
Per Broomé, Institute for Population Economics, Malmö, SWEDEN Abstract Paper
Tracey Derwing, University of Alberta, CANADA Paper
Khalid Koser, University College London, UNITED KINGDOM
Harvey Krahn, University of Alberta, CANADA Paper
Michael Lanphier
, York University, CANADA 
