"As residents, migrants must be able to fully participate in the life of their host community and contribute to its development. This contribution is hindered if migrants are excluded from the life of the community, either by their legal status not allowing their involvement at the local level, or by prejudice and discrimination on the part of the authorities and often the local population," said Nawel RAFIK-ELMRINI, Vice-President of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress of the Council of Europe and Deputy Mayor of the City of Strasbourg, France, at the International Conference in Rabat (Morocco) on November 20, 2017. "When we speak about citizens at the local level, we are speaking about all residents, without exception. This is the philosophy of the Congress, which has been working for more than 20 years on the issue of the integration of migrants, "she added, recalling the three pillars of the Congress action: the national legal framework allowing integration and participation of migrants, specific action at local level to facilitate their access to social rights and the labor market, and intercultural policies promoting a positive perception of migrants and a better mutual understanding.

• Opening speech (French)
• Introduction – The role of local authorities in the integration of migrants (French)
• Web file ”International conference – Rabat, Morocco”
• Photo Gallery