OECD and UNHCR call for scaling up integration policies in favour of refugees

The heads of the OECD and UNHCR, at a joint high-level Conference on the integration of beneficiaries of international protection in Paris today, have called on governments to scale up their efforts to help refugees integrate and contribute to the societies and economies of Europe.

In 2015, more than 1 million people crossed the Mediterranean Sea to look for international protection in Europe. In total, about 1.5 million claimed asylum in OECD countries in 2015. This is almost twice the number recorded in 2014 and the highest number ever. At the same time, asylum seekers represent only about 0.1% of the total OECD population, and, even in Europe, they represent less than 0.3% of the total EU population.

The OECD and UNHCR stressed not only the moral imperative but also the clear economic incentive to help the millions of refugees living in OECD countries to develop the skills they need to work productively and safely in the jobs of tomorrow.

"Far from a problem, refugees can and should be part of the solution to many of the challenges our societies confront," said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría at the joint Conference in Paris today. "They bring Hope: the hope of a better life and a better future for their children and ours. But to realise this potential, a substantial investment is needed to provide immediate support and help the refugees settle and adapt and develop their skills. It is a difficult and costly task in the short term, with a high pay-off for all in the medium to longer term" he said. "Our analysis demonstrates the benefits that well-managed migration can bring to the economies and societies of OECD countries. But this will largely depend on how well integration measures are designed and implemented. The earlier refugees get the required support, the better their integration prospects" Mr. Gurría added.

"Integration is a dynamic two-way process which requires both the individual and society to make considerable efforts," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said. "In order to play a full role in the social, economic, and cultural life of their host country, refugees need to achieve equality of rights and opportunities. States have an important role in this process, ensuring that refugees play a positive and active part in the integration process, particularly in terms of the services provided to them and in ensuring that they are received by welcoming communities."

The OECD also released today a report Making Integration Work: Refugees and others in need of protection, which provides the main lessons from the experience of OECD countries in fostering the integration of refugees. The report highlights many good practices to tackle key barriers and support lasting integration of refugees and their children. It stresses the importance of early intervention, including providing access to language courses, employment programmes and integration services as soon as possible, including for asylum seekers with high prospects to remain. It also stresses the need to help migrants settle where jobs are and not necessarily where housing is cheaper. The report also underlines the need to adapt integration programmes to reflect migrants' diversity in terms of skills and the specific needs of refugees.

More information on OECD's recent work on migration is available at http://www.oecd.org/migration-insights/

For more information or a copy of the book, journalists should contact Anna Biernat in the OECD Media Division (email: [email protected], tel. + 33 1 45 24 14 28).

News Contacts:

For more information or a copy of the book, journalists should contact:

• Anna Biernat in the OECD Media Division (+ 33 1 45 24 14 28)
• Celine Schmitt, UNHCR Spokesperson, Paris (+ 33 6 23 16 11 78 )
• William Spindler, UNHCR Spokesperson, Geneva (+41 79 217 3011)