People arriving to live in a new place, whatever their circumstances (refugees, international students, labour migrants, spouses, minors, elderly dependents, or others), benefit if they are made to feel welcome and included in their new community. The sooner that they feel safe, confident and comfortable, the sooner they can start building new social and professional networks.

How well the authorities coordinate and deliver various measures at the ‘reception’ stage – especially to those with specific or acute needs – therefore determines many people’s chances of ‘integrating’ successfully in terms of fulfilling their own aspirations and contributing to their local communities. Since 2015, the ICC’s work has focused on how its Membership welcomes, orients and supports refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, but similar intercultural principles – of cultural inclusivity, of co-designing policies, of promoting openness to diversity, and of commitment to equal treatment – apply to welcoming all newcomers.