On 3 and 4 December 2024, Wrocław became a centre of dialogue on migration management and social integration, hosting the closing conference of the two-year international project “Strengthening resilience in local and regional authorities facing migration challenges”. More than 80 representatives of local and central government from Romania, Poland and the Republic of Moldova – countries that took in Ukrainian refugees in 2022 – took part in the discussions.
During the conference, participants in panel discussions and meetings reflected on their experience of dealing with crisis situations resulting from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The conference was also an opportunity to exchange views on the “Toolkit on crisis management and migration strategies for local authorities and stakeholders” and the “Compendium of good practices on multilevel cooperation and migration management”, both developed within the project. The community of practice meeting also discussed recommendations for disseminating the project results so that they effectively reach other cities, municipalities and stakeholders.
In his opening speech, Secretary General of the Congress Mathieu Mori praised the role of local and regional authorities in receiving refugees and providing them with access to education and accommodation. He also stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation and multilevel governance in meeting migration challenges.
David Best, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees, stressed that the recent unprecedented increase in migration caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine had tested the resilience of societies and the strength of their commitment to upholding human rights.
Participants were welcomed on behalf of the Wrocław authorities by Deputy Mayor Renata Granowska, who referred in her speech to the events of 2022 and stressed the importance of cooperation and solidarity.
The Wrocław local government’s perspective on cooperation between local and national authorities on migration issues was presented during a panel discussion by Marta Majchrzak, WCRS Deputy Director for Cross-Sectoral Projects. The discussion, entitled “Cooperation strategies: strengthening multilevel dialogue on migration management”, also included representatives of local and central authorities from Moldova, Romania and Poland.
In the panel “Protecting human rights: local solutions to protect displaced persons, migrants and refugees”, Albert Miściorak from the WCRS Intercultural Dialogue Team presented specific Wrocław solutions that give migrants equal access to public services, education and social integration tools.
On the second day of the conference, the aim of the discussion was to reflect on the current context of migration management and to develop recommendations on strengthening the position of local authorities, as well as promoting multilevel coordination and cooperation.
We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to take part in the project and to exchange experiences at the international level.
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The event was organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Association of Polish Cities and the City of Wrocław under the quadrilateral cooperation agreement between the Congress and the associations of cities of Poland, the Republic of Moldova and Romania.
The project Strengthening Resilience in Local and Regional Authorities Facing Migration Challenges
is implemented by the Secretariat of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities from May 2023 to the end of December 2024 under the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021–2025), with financial support from the Federal Government of Germany.
Photos courtesy of the Council of Europe and the Association of Polish Cities.
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