On April 2 and 23, 2025, the Malmö Institute for Migration Studies (MIM) at Malmö University hosted two workshops presenting ReROOT’s Integration Otherwise Inspiration Kit. Fifteen participants from various NGOs working on migration in the Scania region of Sweden attended.
The first workshop focused on the constraints and opportunities in NGO work, such as how policy impacts working conditions. Participants were guided through exercises to reflect on their agency, leading to discussions about the limits of their agency in relation to policy practices that often hinder efforts to support migrants' social mobility. One participant remarked, "To be an asylum seeker is to be in an open prison. You can do everything but you can't do anything.” Participants shared experiences of migrants' lack of empowerment and exclusion. There was widespread criticism of the concept of “integration” and its often-exclusionary effects. One participant noted, "The first interaction with authorities makes asylum seekers feel they are not part of society - this often happens in a silent way.” Another participant added, “I don't like the word 'integration' – I prefer 'love between human beings'.”
The second workshop focused on taking action and creating targeted activities to support migrants' social mobility. This prompted participants to reflect on their various roles and the sensitivity required to raise funds for activities for migrants, because of navigating in a politically charged field.
Overall, participants were very pleased with the workshops that provided opportunities to approach their work in new ways, inspire new activities, and network with others from similar NGOs.
The first workshop focused on the constraints and opportunities in NGO work, such as how policy impacts working conditions. Participants were guided through exercises to reflect on their agency, leading to discussions about the limits of their agency in relation to policy practices that often hinder efforts to support migrants' social mobility. One participant remarked, "To be an asylum seeker is to be in an open prison. You can do everything but you can't do anything.” Participants shared experiences of migrants' lack of empowerment and exclusion. There was widespread criticism of the concept of “integration” and its often-exclusionary effects. One participant noted, "The first interaction with authorities makes asylum seekers feel they are not part of society - this often happens in a silent way.” Another participant added, “I don't like the word 'integration' – I prefer 'love between human beings'.”
The second workshop focused on taking action and creating targeted activities to support migrants' social mobility. This prompted participants to reflect on their various roles and the sensitivity required to raise funds for activities for migrants, because of navigating in a politically charged field.
Overall, participants were very pleased with the workshops that provided opportunities to approach their work in new ways, inspire new activities, and network with others from similar NGOs.
