10th Integrating Cities Conference – “Inclusion for all, Empowering vulnerable migrants in cities.”

16-17 November 2022 in Utrecht, The Netherlands

The Integrating Cities Conference is the world’s largest conference on migration and integration in Europe’s cities. It gathers politicians and experts from cities, member states, and the European Parliament and European Commission, as well as NGOs, migrant groups, activists and academics.

This 10th edition focuses on vulnerable migrants. Aren’t all migrants vulnerable? Certainly, but factors like gender, sexuality, and legal status can make some people moving to a new country far more vulnerable than others.

As cities are the primary destination for migrants coming to Europe, it is city administrations that are most directly involved in ensuring that they can be empowered to integrate socially and economically into our societies. The large numbers of Ukrainian refugees arriving in the EU once again highlighted the essential role that cities play in receiving vulnerable people in need of protection.

Are you someone working in a city, or any level of government, who wants to see the integration of vulnerable migrants carried out in a more effective, humane and coordinated manner? Does your work in an NGO, academia, civil society or activism concern migration? Are you part of a group representing migrants? Join us in Utrecht on 16-17 November, simply by registering here.

Integrating Cities X, ‘Inclusion for all, Empowering vulnerable migrants in cities’ is organised within the framework of the Eurocities project CONNECTION (CONNEcting Cities Towards Integration action), funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

The Conference will include high-level panel debates and interactive workshops, with experts providing guidance about vulnerable situations that migrants can find themselves in. Specifically for cities that take part, the conference will feature hands-on training by Integration Champions, experienced city officials working as ‘integration ambassadors’ and helping other municipalities to develop policies in integration strategies, migrant women, integration into the labour market and one-stop-shops, the four themes explored by CONNECTION.

Alongside the publication of the 5th Integrating Cities Report (previous report available here), the event will also be a chance to celebrate the new signatory municipalities of the Integrating Cities Charter, a commitment to hosting migrants with respect and care. They will join 42 other signatories who have already pledged to provide equal opportunities for all residents, integrate migrants, and embrace diversity.

If your city is interested in joining the Integrating Cities Charter and participating in the signing ceremony, you can learn more about the procedure by clicking here. By contributing to the initiative, you will be able to provide visibility to the integration policies, good practices and projects of your city not just among Eurocities members but also at national and EU level.

Ready? Then save the date and join us for the 10th Integrating Cities Conference in Utrecht!

More details regarding the programme will follow in the coming weeks on the Integrating Cities website. For any further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with alexandra.weerts@eurocities.eu or carolina.picot@eurocities.eu.

REGISTER HERE