7. Political Closing Statement and 2026 Priorities
The closing session of the conference shifted from research findings to political perspectives, as the Danish minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund outlined Denmark’s priorities for next year’s integration conference. In his remarks, he emphasised the importance of protecting Nordic values such as freedom, equality, democracy, and community, which are challenged in certain ethnic minority communities. Here, cultural values concerning honour is placed above the individual’s right to freedom. He also highlighted the importance of sharing experiences on this matter between the Nordic countries, as we can thereby create better solutions to our shared challenges in the years ahead.
The Nordic cooperation is something I highly value. It provides an opportunity for us to share common challenges and solutions in our informal Nordic tone. During the Danish and Faroese presidency, we will strengthen the Nordic cooperation on integration with a specific focus on combating negative social control and strengthening active citizenship.
Furthermore, minister Rasmus Stoklund thanked Finland and Åland for their presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025, and for a well-organised conference in Helsinki. Denmark and the Faroe Islands hold the presidency in 2026, and Stoklund welcomed participants to the upcoming conference in Copenhagen.
The closing session of the conference shifted from research findings to political perspectives, as the Danish minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund outlined Denmark’s priorities for next year’s integration conference. In his remarks, he emphasised the importance of protecting Nordic values such as freedom, equality, democracy, and community, which are challenged in certain ethnic minority communities. Here, cultural values concerning honour is placed above the individual’s right to freedom. He also highlighted the importance of sharing experiences on this matter between the Nordic countries, as we can thereby create better solutions to our shared challenges in the years ahead.
The Nordic cooperation is something I highly value. It provides an opportunity for us to share common challenges and solutions in our informal Nordic tone. During the Danish and Faroese presidency, we will strengthen the Nordic cooperation on integration with a specific focus on combating negative social control and strengthening active citizenship.