Link - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

that safeguards fundamental human rights – irrespective of a
person’s migratory status – is essential to complement integration
policy.
Social
The provision of social services to migrants, which is often
done in partnership between the host government and other
stakeholders, particularly with civil society, can facilitate
integration by giving migrants the information and resources
necessary for their self-reliance and successful interaction in
the host society. Indeed, access to social services appears to be
the most visible and quantifiable index of integration and social
cohesion.
yet, social integration goes beyond ensuring access to services
such as education, housing and health care. It also refers to the
day-to-day coexistence between migrants and host societies.
This includes structured and unstructured interaction in schools
and kindergartens, shops, neighbourhoods and sports clubs
as well as participation in political life and decision-making
at local and national levels. An important element of social
integration is enabling migrants to attain a sense of belonging
to host communities and the social networks surrounding them.
Through effective social integration, relationships between
culturally distinct communities become more commonplace
and less exceptional for the members of the host society. With
social cohesion being an important objective of integration, the
significance of this dimension of integration for societal security
and stability should not be underestimated.
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