Ensuring the integration of newcomers into an increasingly diverse European society is a pressing issue on the societal agenda of each of the 27 EU member states and their regions. Across Europe and other parts of the world, states and regions demonstrate how it can be done. This gathering was an opportunity to collect all these insights, exchange best practices, and determine the priorities for future policy agendas.

The High-Level Policy Forum on 8 February welcomed a diverse audience, ranging from ministers and heads of delegations to global policymakers, experts, and other stakeholders. The day included:

• Keynote speeches by the Flemish Minister of Home Affairs, Civic Integration, and Equal Opportunities, as well as representatives from the European Commission.

• Auditorium sessions on the future of integration, the role of host societies, and labour market integration, featuring a number of ministers who joined the debate and exchanged perspectives.

• Parallel sessions with workshops and training on various related subjects, such as language acquisition, social orientation, buddy and networking initiatives, communication strategies, and crisis management.

• Site visits in Mechelen, offering a chance to delve further into inspiring local translations of the Flemish integration trajectory.

The Ministerial Conference on 9 February was exclusively for ministers and heads of delegation representing states and regions in Europe and beyond, alongside high officials from international institutions.