The Diversity, Migration and Integration Interest Group (DMIIG) met in Barcelona under the auspices of Foundacion ‘La Caixa’, on 10-12 May to discuss the aftermath of the economic crisis and in particular how to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups. The meeting presented the state of play of how the economic downturn had been affecting migration and integration with a specific focus the Spanish context. Panellists included Spanish government representative, Amapola Blasco Marhuenda, and city of Barcelona’s Director of immigration services, Ramon Sanahuja Vélez. Ana Romero from IBN Batuta presented the NGOs’ perspective.

The meeting also looked at emerging trends, challenges as well as policy responses, and included interventions from experts working in the field. A number of these presentations are available for download below. A special session on migrant education and integration identified opportunities for foundations in this field and ended with a concerted effort by DMIIG to set up a working group of foundations to address this issue within the migration and integration conundrum.

The DMIIG will be meeting next in Brussels on 19-20 October 2010. For further information, please contact us.