FRAMING AND FOUNDATION
DEFINE THE TASK
Toward a shared vision of integration
Establish a shared Nordic understanding of integration that values participation, belonging, and the ability of all individuals to thrive while preserving their cultural identity.
- Develop a Nordic framework that defines integration as a two-way process rooted in equality, not assimilation.
- Ensure integration policies reflect both structural indicators such as education and employment, and relational ones such as belonging, representation, and trust.
- Promote collaboration across sectors to build consensus on inclusive and forward-looking goals for integration.
Without a shared vision, integration policies risk becoming fragmented or contradictory. A modern understanding must embrace diversity, support equal opportunity, and empower migrants to shape society rather than simply adjust to it. Defining the task is not about narrowing the path but about clarifying the purpose.
I believe that, despite our differences, it is vital for the Nordic countries to co-design and implement integration policies rooted in democratic values, strong civil society, and a shared regional vision for sustainable societies.
Toward a shared vision of integration
Establish a shared Nordic understanding of integration that values participation, belonging, and the ability of all individuals to thrive while preserving their cultural identity.
- Develop a Nordic framework that defines integration as a two-way process rooted in equality, not assimilation.
- Ensure integration policies reflect both structural indicators such as education and employment, and relational ones such as belonging, representation, and trust.
- Promote collaboration across sectors to build consensus on inclusive and forward-looking goals for integration.
Without a shared vision, integration policies risk becoming fragmented or contradictory. A modern understanding must embrace diversity, support equal opportunity, and empower migrants to shape society rather than simply adjust to it. Defining the task is not about narrowing the path but about clarifying the purpose.
I believe that, despite our differences, it is vital for the Nordic countries to co-design and implement integration policies rooted in democratic values, strong civil society, and a shared regional vision for sustainable societies.Ioannis Chatzopoulos
BUILD THE EVIDENCE BASE
Create comparable data across the Nordics
Integration efforts must be guided by shared facts, not assumptions. The Nordic region lacks a coherent framework for measuring both structural outcomes and the lived experience of integration. We need data that reflects the full picture, including exclusion, belonging, trust, and representation.
- Create a Nordic-wide indicator system for integration that includes structural and relational dimensions.
- Co-develop research methods with migrant communities to ensure relevance and legitimacy.
- Encourage transparency and accessibility of data to enable dialogue and accountability.
- Use data as a foundation for learning, adjusting, and improving integration strategies over time.
You cannot fix what you cannot see. Data is not just technical, it is political. Building the evidence base is how we build trust, alignment, and long-term success.
For me, building the evidence base across the Nordics means connecting fragments into one cohesive picture of our region, using high-quality, comparable data to ensure integration policies are guided by facts, not assumptions.
Create comparable data across the Nordics
Integration efforts must be guided by shared facts, not assumptions. The Nordic region lacks a coherent framework for measuring both structural outcomes and the lived experience of integration. We need data that reflects the full picture, including exclusion, belonging, trust, and representation.
- Create a Nordic-wide indicator system for integration that includes structural and relational dimensions.
- Co-develop research methods with migrant communities to ensure relevance and legitimacy.
- Encourage transparency and accessibility of data to enable dialogue and accountability.
- Use data as a foundation for learning, adjusting, and improving integration strategies over time.
You cannot fix what you cannot see. Data is not just technical, it is political. Building the evidence base is how we build trust, alignment, and long-term success.
For me, building the evidence base across the Nordics means connecting fragments into one cohesive picture of our region, using high-quality, comparable data to ensure integration policies are guided by facts, not assumptions.Minja Tea Dzamarija