Strasbourg, 30 May 2016

Andreas Kiefer : “Refugee crisis represents a challenge for local authorities”

“Whatever the status of the persons who arrive at our frontiers, the local authorities’ concern is to address the individuals themselves, their needs and their social rights” stated Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress, on May 27, at the International Conference: “The protection of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants”, in Nafplio (Greece). Mr Kiefer highlighted the challenge the refugee crisis represents for local authorities, especially as far as the delivery of services, the respect for human and social rights and the building of inclusive societies is concerned, and urged support from the regional and local levels of government to face the crisis.

He further stressed the responsibilities of regional and local authorities in providing refugees with basic rights such as health protection, an adequate standard of living, education and participation in public life. Lastly, the Secretary General, with the aim of debunking common stereotypes associated with the refugees issue, underlined the importance of promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue, , organising anti-rumour campaigns and discussing with migrants, in order to increase understanding of their needs, prior to shaping policy responses.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, and EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, stressed in their keynote speeches the responsibilities of member States, and the role of local authorities. Andreas Kiefer presented the on-going work of the Congress in this field. He pointed out what cities and regions need in order to be able to manage the challenges of the refugee situation:

- solidarity among but also within member States when it comes to the distribution of refugees to ensure integration;

- swift asylum procedures bringing clarity about whether a person or a family is entitled to stay;

- legal and financial framework enabling the provision of schooling, housing, health care and language courses as well as employment;

- positive climate that does not reproduce stereotypes but shows the many examples of positive integration.

There are exemplary initiatives like the network 'Villes solidaires' launched by the city of Strasbourg during the last Congress session or the very useful handbook for mayors based on workshops with more than 250 Austrian mayors contributing to this practical guide. It can be downloaded from http://www.alpbach.org/buergermeister (in German).