The Congress participated in the Seminar “Integration policies at the local and regional level” organised by the city of Brno, on 15 June 2017, on the occasion of the Czech Chairmanship of the Council of Europe. Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions and Gabrielle Neff (Germany, ILDG), Chair of the Current Affairs Committee, took part in the panel discussion “Integration of people facing exclusion”. Anders Knape (Sweden, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities, opened the Seminar. “Europe needs long-term integration policies to help migrants and build an inclusive society. Otherwise the already high tensions in our societies which have given rise to political backlashes from ultra conservative groups risk getting worse,” he stated. He deplored the lack of coordination and means which makes the work of local and regional councillors difficult. He underlined the necessity to adopt an approach based on two pillars that need to go hand in hand: early and rapid integration and respect for human rights and human dignity. “The one without the other is neither desirable nor possible,” he said addressing the Czech mayors attending the seminar. He urged local elected representatives in Europe to take leadership and speak out against prejudice and to deliver the services to both migrants and host communities in order to pave the way for an inclusive society.
Speech of Anders Knape
Agenda