The "Reception platforms" to promote the integration of immigrants

Host Country : France

Place and date : Paris , 8. - 9.11.2004

Peer countries : Cyprus - Czech Republic - Germany - Ireland - Poland - Sweden

In order to ensure the best conditions for the reception and integration of migrants arriving in France, the Office for International Migration (OMI), a public body under the tutelage of the Ministry of Social Affairs, set up reception platforms at the beginning of 1998. Installed in the 16 départements that receive the greatest number of foreigners, these platforms facilitate the integration into French society of families arriving in France for family re-unification, or foreign members of French families, or families of statutory refugees. In 2002, 37,000 of 100,000 foreigners involved received services from these platforms.

The services comprise a presentation of the French way of life, the identification of the needs of the migrant families in different areas (social integration, French language lessons, workplace integration, health, schooling, access to rights), and guidance towards the appropriate services to meet these needs.

The platform concept calls for the involvement of locally co-ordinated representatives. This initiative, like all those relative to the interministerial action programme for the integration of foreigners, is subject to quarterly follow-up work and is monitored by a committee that brings together all relevant administrations.

The success of the scheme has motivated the public authorities to plan for an increase in the number of existing platforms (five new platforms by December 2003) and to extend their missions (new populations, enhanced services). A new universal public agency, operating with resources from the OMI and the bureau of social services for immigrants (SSAE), will be solely responsible for welcoming new migrants who will be offered an introduction and integration contract upon arrival.

Source: NAP/incl 2003, France and Joint Inclusion Report 2003 of the European Commission

Peer Review manager

Ms Annemiek Goris ( NIZW )

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The "Reception platforms" to promote the integration of immigrants

Host Country : France

Place and date : Paris , 8. - 9.11.2004

Peer countries : Cyprus - Czech Republic - Germany - Ireland - Poland - Sweden

Peer Review manager

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