Integration and challenges in finding a job hot topics at immigration dialogues

Immigration Dialogues, a series of discussions coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior, brought nearly 700 people together to talk about immigration. The discussions held in the autumn of 2022 aimed to provide people from different backgrounds with an opportunity to present their ideas and increase understanding of immigration. The final report will be published on 8 March.

The Immigration Dialogues were held following the Timeout method prepared for a constructive societal dialogue. The discussions gave Finnish natives and immigrants an opportunity to share their experiences. The final report is a unique description of a dialogue on immigration in 2022.

The discussions were arranged in 15 locations and online, with 62 organisers hosting 72 discussions across Finland. The discussions were held in 11 different languages (Arabic, English, Spanish, Farsi, Chinese, Swedish, Somali, Finnish, Ukrainian, Russian and Estonian).

Immigrants said that Finland offers a good life, even though they have experienced challenges with integration. Experiences of racism were common. Fear and exclusion were frequently repeated themes in the experiences of people without a residence permit. 

A need for flexible integration services and inclusion 

The Immigration Dialogues showed that people move to Finland for various reasons and from various backgrounds. The general dialogue on immigration focuses on humanitarian immigration, even though the majority of immigration is work-related.

Integration services are often approached as a whole, while the single integration model is not suitable for everyone. The discussions expressed wishes to develop integration services.  Immigrants want to participate in the development of services in various roles, ranging from experts by experience to co-developers and professionals.

People moving to Finland also require clear and easily accessible information on the permit procedures, dealing with public authorities, public services, the labour market and terms of employment, the local culture, housing and everyday matters.

In addition, the Immigration Dialogues raised the need shared by all people to be part of something and build social networks. Here, different local communities where people meet each other play a central role: kindergartens, schools, sports and exercise clubs, parishes, organisations and associations.

Obstacles in the way of employment 

The Immigration Dialogues also highlighted Finnish skills as a significant obstacle to employment. Immigrants require flexible opportunities to study Finnish, taking different life situations into account. An insufficient recognition of skills and degrees was stated as an obstacle in the way of employment.

In addition to the Ministry of the Interior, the Immigration Dialogues were arranged by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Finnish Immigration Service.

Further information: 

Mariana Salgado, Service Designer
tel. +358295488385, firstname.lastname@gov.fi