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Integration of Foreigners in Ukraine: Experience of Refugee Communities, New Challenges and Prospects. R2P Held a Roundtable Discussion in Kyiv
May 31, 2024
On Wednesday, 29 May, Kyiv hosted a roundtable discussion on Integration of Foreigners in Ukraine: Experience of Refugee Communities, New Challenges and Prospects. The representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, NGOs and international organisations attended the event.
The leaders of refugee communities in Ukraine also attended the roundtable. R2P actively cooperates with the heads of such organisations and groups. After all, they have much experience and can share their best practices in integrating foreigners into Ukrainian society, including with representatives of the relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine has recently published a draft Strategy for the Demographic Development of Ukraine until 2040, which calls for introducing a policy of linguistic, cultural, economic, and social integration of foreigners.
That is why Right to Protection organised a roundtable discussion on this topic so that representatives of refugee communities, government agencies, and civil society could not only discuss but also jointly find ways to implement integration mechanisms effectively.
Svitlana Butenko, Head of the Assistance Refugees and Asylum Seeker programme direction, R2P
Both refugees and migrants live in Ukraine. We have international and non-governmental organisations that welcome and integrate these people. Some communities provide information on how to help foreigners adapt to life in Ukraine and how to overcome Ukrainian society's prejudices against people from other countries. Our task at this event was to show that the cooperation of all these groups is the key to building a policy and integration strategy.
Tetiana Borshchenko, Head of the Expert Group on Analytical Work in the Field of Social Development at the Directorate for Strategic Planning, Policy Coordination and European Integration of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, noted the possibility of attracting labour migrants to Ukraine and the need to return to the country Ukrainians who were displaced abroad due to the war.
Tetiana Borshchenko, Head of the Expert Group on Analytical Work in the Field of Social Development at the Directorate for Strategic Planning, Policy Coordination and European Integration of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine
Today's demographic situation is challenging. It was difficult before the full-scale invasion, and the war has only worsened it. This includes low birth rates, high mortality rates, migration, and internal displacement. Therefore, one tool to increase the population in our country is to attract migrants. However, it is crucial to understand that we will face the following questions: "How will we integrate them into our society, and whether there will be competition between workers?"
Olena Sulyma, Deputy Director of the Ukrainian State Centre for International Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, spoke about foreigners studying in Ukraine, the programmes available to them and the specifics of their integration into Ukrainian society.
Leaders of refugee communities also shared their experiences with the audience. They spoke about the organisations they lead and how they integrate their compatriots here.
In particular, Aisha Isa, Head of the Ukrainian Muslimahs League NGO, shared her experience of integrating foreigners and the history of successful advocacy for Muslim women's rights.
Aisha Isa, Head of the Ukrainian Muslimahs League NGO
As part of our activities, we hold Hijab Day in different cities of Ukraine. This day is significant for Muslim women in Ukraine and foreigners who study or work here. Previously, there was no permission to be photographed in a hijab for a passport in Ukraine. We worked jointly with the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine, other organisations, and various religious representatives to collect signatures so that we could be allowed to take passport photos in hijab. And in 2019, we received permission.
She also spoke about conversation clubs for children and learning about culture and history with foreign women who come to Ukraine.
At the end of the event, the roundtable participants shared their impressions and observations.
Tetiana Borshchenko, Head of the Expert Group on Analytical Work in the Field of Social Development at the Directorate for Strategic Planning, Policy Coordination and European Integration of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine
I noted that it is important to pay attention to migrants who are already in Ukraine. Indeed, even in the text of our Strategy, we focus on attracting new migrants. But we also need to take into account those who already live here. In addition, it is important to pay attention to refugees who have sufficient education and qualifications to realise their potential in the Ukrainian labour market.
Leaders of refugee communities and NGO representatives indicated their readiness to cooperate with the authorities in integrating foreigners already living in our country and seeking to build their lives here, as well as potential labour migrants. The experience of teaching Ukrainian language courses, programmes on orientation in Ukrainian society, and supporting foreigners in education, employment, and housing may be helpful to the state authorities.
As a reminder, at the end of 2023, R2P specialists mapped refugee communities in Ukraine and concluded that they need to be supported and developed.