ODIHR, IOM host roundtable meeting on the integration of migrants in Ukraine

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted a roundtable meeting on 13 July 2011 on the integration of migrants in Ukraine. The 50 participants from the Ukrainian government, civil society and international organizations discussed how to resolve the challenges related to the integration of migrants in the country.

Participants discussed the need to simplify procedures for obtaining temporary and permanent residency, as well as the need to increase the number of work permits issued to foreigners and to promote policies of non-discrimination in Ukrainian society.

ODIHR has made an assessment of the country's needs in this field which contains recommendations that could help the government implement its recently adopted integration strategy for 2011-2015.

The meeting was held as part of a pilot project to promote integration of  migrants in Ukraine. The project was initiated by ODIHR in 2010 with the support of the IOMs Mission in Ukraine, the Council of Europe, the East European Development Institute and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.