ConnACT Study Visit to Italy Highlights Innovative Migrant Inclusion Practices
This week, within the framework of the project ConnACT – Connecting through Adult Community Training, Carmine Conte and Mojib Atal from MPG took part in a study visit to several cities in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, to explore migrant integration policies and practices. They were joined by colleagues from ELY-keskus – the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Finland) – and Malta’s Human Rights Directorate.
The delegation was first welcomed in Bologna by representatives of the Emilia-Romagna Region, where they held in-depth discussions on regional inclusion policies, the Triennial Plan for the Inclusion of Migrants, and the role of municipalities in implementing national and regional integration strategies, including the reception of asylum seekers (with insights from ANCI Emilia-Romagna – the Association of Municipalities of Emilia-Romagna).
Further exchanges took place at Saluspace,, focusing on the refugee reception network in the Bologna metropolitan area, with contributions from ASP Bologna (the Municipality’s Welfare Agency). The delegation also visited the Centro Riesco to learn about intercultural initiatives for third-country national children and their mothers in schools.
The visit continued in Ravenna, where participants gained insights into the management of migrant ship disembarkations and the local coordination system designed to respond to migrants’ needs. Ravenna has been designated a “safe harbor” by the Italian government.
The study visit concluded in Reggio Emilia with a meeting with municipal officials, who presented the “Ditutti” (For All) Strategic Action Plan on intercultural policies, the city’s action plan against racism, and training initiatives on intercultural skills. Participants also learned about the ICC Grant project on mapping trade and places of worship, as well as the work of the Intercultural Center Mondinsieme, including its assemblies, participatory planning processes, and community-driven initiatives.
This visit – and an upcoming one to Malta in the coming weeks – aims to identify, document, and share innovative, transferable, and scalable good practices in adult education for migrants from diverse backgrounds.
Read the article in Ravenna Notizie about this study visit (in Italian).
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.