Priority 2: Integration of Refugees

CSMP recognises the positive contribution that refugees can make to our society. We would like to advance an honest and straightforward commitment to ensuring that refugees are offered safety in Scotland, afforded respect and given assistance to integrate into our communities. Our responsibility as a nation is to welcome people of all races, religions and nationalities; Scotland’s diversity and vibrancy will grow as a result.

Over the past decade, giant strides have been made as regards the integration of refugees in Scotland. Nonetheless, considerable challenges remain. As such, CSMP has a full agenda in relation to the integration of refugees. An overview of our future activity is described in the table below:

Policy Area	Future Activity
Community Cohesion	Assist with the development of a multi-lateral Community Development Strategy; Work with key stakeholders, including ACPOS, to ensure that good community relations are facilitated
Integration and Culture	Assist Sunrise and other partners to ensure that there is a smooth transition for asylum seekers who receive a positive decision. Ensure that a clear distinction is maintained between integration and assimilation.
Employability	Work with key partners to create the social capital within refugee communities that will engender full engagement with the labour market Explore barriers to employment faced by refugees and produce strategies to overcome these; Assist New Roots Scotland to consider strategic priorities in relation to refugee employment.
Gateway	Progress and facilitate the introduction of Gateway to Local Authorities in Scotland.
SRIF	Progress the work undertaken by the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum and its sub-groups; Undertake preliminary work to assess the ramifications of SRIF winding down, both in terms of grant availability and strategic co-ordination.

In taking this agenda forward, CSMP will endeavour to work closely with key stakeholders and the broader refugee community. This requires recognition that refugees in Scotland should be empowered to shape their own future and to address to the issues that are most important to them.

It is also worth re-affirming our commitment to bring the Gateway Protection Programme to Scotland. Not all refugees fleeing persecution will reach safety; some make it no further than a neighbouring country. Depending on the region, the country of refuge itself may be unsafe for refugees: conflict is not always confined by national borders and persecution can continue even in refugee camps. The Gateway Protection Programme is designed to assist the most vulnerable refugees escape untenable environments and provide a legal and safe route out of danger. As such, CSMP recognises that there is a moral obligation to help bring Gateway to Scotland.