IntegratE skilled migrants
ParticipatE in university activities
establish an European wide network
Migrant NGO+hei+TEACHING+WORKSHOPS

The growing immigrant population in Europe makes visible the fact that there is a large number of refugees and immigrants whose skills, capacity and expertise are not properly utilized in Europe. Immigrants’ fast and effective job market participation experiences increase their positive feelings regarding belonging. The ILO-Intercultural Learning Online project, funded by the European Union will organize opportunities for highly educated immigrants to use their talents and capacity by lecturing in partner universities and by conducting shared workshops and short courses to improve their self-esteem.

Laurea’s projects provide students to acquire research, development, and innovation expertise. Integrating the project into the study module can be accomplished in various ways. The ILO (International Learning Online) project facilitated the inclusion of an expert lecture in an existing study module. This expert lecture enabled employment promotion for highly educated professionals and the development of student’s skills in interacting with clients from immigrant backgrounds.

Upcoming Events
Good Lobbying: Experiences from the Ivorian Community in Greece by Moussa Sangare, Migration Expert by Experience, on 23.11.2023 17:00 CET & 18:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. [Meeting ID: 920 7113 4680 | Passcode: ILO2023] Moussa is a dedicated advocate for social justice and the rights of migrants and refugees. Serving as the President of the Ivorian Community in Greece, he works to empower the diaspora and promote cultural understanding. Additionally, as a Member of the Expert Group within the European Commission, he contributes to policy discussions on migrant and refugee issues.
Multicultural Nursing by Medhanit Chernet and Riako Gabriel, on 24.11.2023 11:30-13:00 CET & 12:30-14:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. Sharing experiences of nursing in Kenya, experiences of immigration and starting a career in Finland, experiences of health care as a client in Finland, experiences of multicultural work community, and experiences of patients’ attitudes towards nurses with an immigrant background.
Experience of migration, entrepreneurship and its links to inclusion by Moussa Sangare, Migration Expert by Experience, on 24.11.2023 17:00 CET & 18:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. [Meeting ID: 920 7113 4680 | Passcode: ILO2023] Moussa is a dedicated advocate for social justice and the rights of migrants and refugees. Serving as the President of the Ivorian Community in Greece, he works to empower the diaspora and promote cultural understanding. Additionally, as a Member of the Expert Group within the European Commission, he contributes to policy discussions on migrant and refugee issues.
Building Networks / Connections by Ahmet Sayer on 27.11.2023 09:00-10:00 CET & 10:00-11:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This seminar is for international migrant students, who have recently moved to a new country. Ahmet will share his own experiences and his own stories of various networks he has been part of. How networking helps in personal and work life and most important what kind of attitude one should have to make more connections.
“Stories Without Borders” – A Migrant Storytelling Workshop on 30.11.2023 14:00-15:00 CET & 15:00-16:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. Are you a migrant with a story to share? Do you value listening with empathy to migrant stories? Featuring two guest speakers who are migrants themselves, this workshop fosters an environment where everyone can contribute their narratives, promoting open dialogue and understanding among all participants. To help us organize the workshop activities, we’d love to know if you’ll be joining us. Please let us know via this link: https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Xavc0WSJ1Rtqqq
Workshop on Intercultural Communication on 11.12.2023 14:30-16:30 CET & 15:30-17:30 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This workshop provides an insightful exploration of Erin Meyer’s book “The Culture Map,” presenting the eight cultural dimensions and their impact on intercultural interactions. The workshop equips participants with practical insights to better understand and navigate the complexities of our interconnected, multicultural world. To help us organize the workshop activities, we’d love to know if you’ll be joining us. Please let us know via this link: https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_exrwzever8hTNHg
Previous Events
What it takes to be an Entrepreneur by Annie Tanampai on 20.11.2023 11:30-12:30 CET & 12:30-13:30 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This seminar is on what it takes to be an entrepreneur. It also includes discussions on topics such as social integration of migrants in their host countries, cultural integration programs, resilience in the face of racism, and the promotion of a fresh, positive narrative concerning migrants and newcomers.
Refugee Economic Integration with a Focus on Entrepreneurship by Nasrat Sayed and Katrin Marchand, on 10.11.2023 14:00-15:30 CET & 15:00-16:30 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This seminar will be covering the discussions on economic integration of refugees in countries of destination with a focus on refugee entrepreneurship. The seminar will focus on cases from both developed and developing refugee hosting counties.
Afghan Diaspora Remittances: A Lifeline for Families by Nasrat Sayed, on 08.11.2023 15:00-16:00 CET & 16:00-17:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This seminar will investigate Afghan Diaspora Remittances, which are a Lifeline for families and (potential) contributors to development in Afghanistan. This is a seminar based on work done for the South Asian Migration Report 2024.
Webinar on Good Practices in Mentoring Foreign Students, on 07.11.2023 15:00-16:00 CET & 16:00-17:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This webinar aims to facilitate an exchange of ideas and best practices among university staff who mentor or coach international students.
Iraqi minorities in the diaspora: community structure, perception on return and connections to homeland by Mohammad Khalaf, on 06.11.2023 15:00-16:00 CET & 16:00-17:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. The study explores the perceptions and actions related to engagement with and return to Iraq within Iraqi (-origin) Christian and Yazidi diaspora communities residing in the USA, Germany and Georgia.
The impact of telepresence technologies on the place attachment of Syrian refugees in the Netherlands by Mohammad Khalaf, on 27.10.2023 14:00-15:00 CET & 15:00-16:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. The seminar will discuss the impact of telepresence technologies on the perception of place and the attachment to homeland vs new home of Syrian refugees in the Netherlands.
Afghan Migration Since the Taliban Takeover by Nasrat Sayed, on 23.10.2023 14:00-16:00 CET & 15:00-17:00 EET, on Zoom – Join Here. This webinar will cover the overall situation (e.g., problems, challenges, opportunities) of Afghan migrants after the Taliban takeover.
Cultural diversity and working Culture in the International Working Community by Oscar Areski De Peyret, language interpreter and social scientist, on 25.10.2023 12:15-13:00 CET & 13:15-14:00 EET,, on Teams – Join Here.

Skilled Migrants

Organize opportunities for highly educated immigrants to use their talents.

University Activities

Establish a European wide network of migrant NGOs, educators and students to work together​.

European Wide Network

Improve the self-esteem of immigrant students by giving their role-models.​​

Project Partners

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.