Project to Improve Expert Knowledge for Work with Third-Country Nationals Has Come to a Close

June 30 marks the end of the project Improving Cross-Institutional and Cross-Occupational Cooperation for Work with Third-Country Nationals aimed at improving and broadening cooperation between various institutions and professionals for work with third-country nationals* and strengthening their skills and the ability to implement integration measures.

According to the project leader Alvis Skenders (Alvis Šķenders), five informative 1-day seminars in Olaine, Ozolnieki, Stopini, Aluksne, and Balvi assessed the possibility to continue the integration activities already initiated by the participants as well as the chance to ensure the said activities in long-term. 100 participants were educated in the course of these seminars.  

3-day theoretical seminar Third-Country National – Institutional Client gave 27 participants the opportunity to learn about cultural differences, diversity management and social work with representatives of different cultures, reflected and separated the existing situation and issues in the area of immigrant integration in Latvia from the desirable one thus allowing participants to see what should be done in Latvia and how each and every one of them contribute to improve the situation in the area of immigrant integration.

The practical seminar organized in May was aimed at promoting development of social and professional competencies in the area of immigration, cross-cultural communication, and cultural diversity in participants who had gained knowledge at the theoretical seminar and improved their qualification for work with immigrant groups. 

Society “Shelter “Safe House”” in association with Latvian Association of Higher Education Institutions for Life-Long Learning (LAKMA) also organized a seminar for representatives of universities and colleges who work with third-country nationals on a daily basis to improve competence of teaching and administrative university staff in the area of cross-cultural communication and knowledge about receiving and integrating third-country nationals as well as facilitate shaping of professional identity and room for analysis and reflection on good practice. 

In order to create a dialogue among teaching and administrative staff at universities and colleges, third-country nationals – university students, and experts (consultants) a discussion / contact exchange was organized under the project. It was aimed at understanding the point of view of all parties regarding the current situation and work with third-country nationals at universities and colleges as well as coming up with suggestions for institutions of higher education in respect of work with third-country nationals – students. 

The project is (co)funded by the European Union. Implementation of the project “Improvement of interinstitutional and intersectoral cooperation on working with third-country nationals” is co-funded by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (75%) and from the state budget (25%). This publication has been prepared with the support of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals. Society “Shelter “Safe House”” is responsible for the content of this publication.