On 9 July 2024, ALDA participated in the conference “Integration of Migrants and Refugees: Unlocking New Opportunities for Cities and Regions” in Vilnius (Lithuania), part of the CIVEX Commission’s 23rd meeting by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).
The conference underscored the critical need for renewed migrant integration efforts at the European level, highlighting both the significant contributions of migrants and the challenges of misinformation and negative depictions. ALDA engaged in meaningful discussions with EU local authorities, institutions, UN agencies, and other stakeholders, reaffirming its commitment to effective integration practices and migrant rights support.
Mr. Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Mayor of Jonava (Latvia) and head of the Lithuanian delegation to the CoR, emphasised the importance of empowering migrants to integrate into host communities and labor markets, aligning with ALDA’s objectives of mutual benefits through integration.
ALDA focuses on two main action points:
- Coordinated actions for migrants’ rights.
- Community integration advocacy among governmental institutions, civil society organisations, and local authorities.
The conference also discussed the EU’s recent migration and asylum framework reform, focusing on legal migration pathways and coordinated funding, guiding ALDA’s future initiatives.
Additionally, the CIVEX Commission meeting on 8 July explored EU enlargement prospects, particularly with Ukraine and Moldova. ALDA Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, highlighted the strategic importance of involving cities and regions in the accession process, reflecting ALDA’s biogeographical interconnection for EU enlargement and regional development.
The Vilnius event reinforced ALDA’s role in promoting effective migration practices and exploring new collaboration avenues for migrant integration.