We leave you with a question after the Economic Forum – on what elements of migration policy (e.g. protection of foreigners, visa policy, border protection, re-emigration, economic migration) and integration policy is a political consensus possible?
As the Coalition of Minority and Migrant Organizations (KOMM), we invited representatives of the regional administration of Lower Silesia, the city of Wroclaw and non-governmental national organizations Ukrainian House, Association of Ukrainians in Poland Branch in Przemyśl, the Union of Polish and international Karaims, UNHCR Poland to a joint discussion on the multi-level management of integration policy.
Since February 24, 2022, 9.38 million Ukrainian citizens have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border – 7.54 million people have returned to Ukraine.
In Wrocław alone, it is estimated that the number of Ukrainian citizens is approximately 180,000, of which 80,000 are people who arrived in Wrocław after February 24, 2022. At the same time, citizens of 120 countries around the world live in Wrocław, and have also been living in Lower Silesia for many years Lemkos, Karaims, Tatars, Greeks and other minorities.
- During the conversation, Mariola Abkowicz pointed out that representatives of national and ethnic minority groups traditionally living in Poland feel left out by decision-makers in the face of the refugee crisis. The panelists emphasized that migration policy should take into account the needs and perspectives of both national minorities and migrants.
- We discussed the achievements and results of activities undertaken at various levels of administration by Krzysztof Maj – the Board of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and Bartłomiej Ciążyński – Vice-President of Wrocław for the socio-economic integration of third-country nationals, the role and tools of international organizations, including: such as UN Agencies and Agencies UNHCR, UNICEF in the process of “negotiating with local governments” of local integration policy, as well as about the challenges and needs of minority and migrant organizations. Despite the creation of local integration strategies in cities and regions, their effectiveness varies. Inclusive migration policies at the national level are necessary to support programs and policies implemented at regional and local levels.
- Astrid Castelein from the Krakow office of UNHCR emphasized that in order to obtain long-term effects integration policy should be built participatively, inclusively, taking into account identity issues and balance of diversity.
- And… money, you can’t do without money – all the panelists agreed.
Integration policy costs money, but it is an investment in the future and building a community.
There are currently 463,000 in Poland. Ukrainian children, of which only 170 thousand attends Polish schools! Most of those who remain outside the Polish educational system continue their education online in Ukraine. Most refugees who arrived after February 24, 2023 declare to return to their homeland, but it is difficult to predict how long the armed conflict may last. Therefore, a special challenge for the near future will be to ensure the well-being of Ukrainian children in the distance education system.
Last year, after the Economic Forum, the President came back with the deep conviction that there were definitely too few of us – NGO representatives – at this event. This year, we decided to make a non-governmental, local government and international contribution to the program and, together with the Coalition of Minority and Migrant Organizations, we organized a debate on “Multi-level management of integration policy – refugees, migrants, national and ethnic minorities in Poland”.
The conversation was attended by:
Krzysztof Maj – Board of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
Bartłomiej Ciążyński – vice-president of the European Coalition Against Racism (ECCAR).
Astrid Castelein – Director of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Krakow. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Myrosia Keryk – President of the Management Board of Ukrainian House ,Coalition of Minority and Migrant Organizations (KOMM).
Igor Horków – Chairman of the Management Board of the Przemyśl Branch of the Union of Ukrainians in Poland, Coalition of Minority and Migrant Organizations (KOMM).
Mariola Abkowicz – Chairman of the Board of the Association of Polish Karaims, Member of the Joint Commission of the Government and National and Ethnic Minorities, Coalition of Minority and Migrant Organizations (KOMM). Association of Polish Karaites.
Moderator: Olga Chrebor – Plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Wrocław for Residents of Ukrainian Origin, President of the Kalejdoskop Kultur Foundation, Director of the Culture Department of the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Coalition of Minority and Migrant Organizations (KOMM). Kaleidoscope of Cultures
The panel was carried out with the support of the National Democratic Institute / KOMM consists of: Ukrainian House /Association of Ukrainians in Poland Branch in Przemyśl / Ukrainian Club in Krakow – Zustrich Foundation / Kalejdoskop Kultur.
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