On the 15th of March, Migrant Action hosted a roundtable discussion on Migration in Leeds. Convened by the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF), the event brought together charitable foundations and organizations working with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the Leeds area.
Participants explored the changing landscape of migration and the opportunities that exist within the city of Leeds, to promote a progressive and proactive agenda on migration and integration. The discussions captured service provision and good practices of services working together. Participants highlighted the opportunities generated through strategic migration partnerships and collaborative working across services and with migrant communities to provide services, reduce vulnerability and build resilience. Participants explored new and stronger partnerships with communities and other sectors including businesses, universities, arts and sports in order to enhance opportunities for empowerment, social participation, integration, economic development and community cohesion.
The discussions also highlighted the role of government’s austerity agenda, Brexit, global conflicts and the impact of these on migration and integration in Leeds. Responding to these challenges, participants identified community engagement, effective leadership and a coherent migration/integration strategy as essential requirements for Leeds to continue being a welcoming, diverse, economically vibrant, resilient and cohesive city. Charitable Foundations and migrant organizations recognized the link between a progressive migration agenda, integration, economic development and community cohesion.
The event offered a good opportunity for the funders to meet and build new links with Leeds based organizations as well as get different perspective of migration and integration outside London. Migrant Action is passionate about empowering migrants to make the positive choices, advocating for migrant rights and creating safe pathways to integration. By doing so and working in partnership with other organizations, we help to reduce vulnerability and empower migrants to live independent and fulfilling lives.
We are immensely grateful to Paul Hamlyn Foundation and all the organizations who attended the event. Through working together, we are hopeful to promote a progressive agenda for integration for asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants in Leeds!
If you would like to find out more about our work or support us, please contact us via facebook or email; info@migrantaction.org.uk
The Migrant Action Team!
