Major Challenges | Recent considerable immigration in a formerly very homogeneous society, however, with a vivid international arts scene. Facing the needs of the new migrants. |
Main Interpretations | Providing assistance and offering orientation and social services to people coming from abroad; opening and preparing to become a multicultural society. |
Directorate of Immigration within the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs
(http://www.utl.is/english/immigration/)
Main objective is issuing residence permits. Through a joint commission, it works closely with the Directorate of Labour (http://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/english/european-employment-services-eures/)
Issues work permits for foreigners.
CIVIL SOCIETY (EX):
The Intercultural Centre (website in 12 languages)
(http://www.ahus.is/en/services.html)
Centre for immigrants, providing a forum for a multicultural society in Iceland and services such as educational programmes, introductions to different societies and cultural events. It advocates for the rights of migrants, entertains cooperation links with those promoting mutual adaptation of people with different backgrounds in a diverse society.
Other (multi)/intercultural centres are:
Icelandic Red Cross
(http://redcross.is/)
involved in the affairs of foreigners in many ways, e.g. as an advocate for asylum seekers. Furthermore, the Red Cross assists foreigners as needed, to access information on their rights and obligations in the Icelandic community, including dealing with the Directorate of Immigration.
The Department of Cultural Affairs within the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
(http://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/)
The Department of Education, Department of Science and Higher Education within the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (http://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/)
The principle of the Icelandic educational system is that everyone should have equal opportunities to acquire an education, irrespective of sex, economic status, residential location, religion, possible disability, and cultural or social background. Language of instruction, except for some university courses in English, is Icelandic.
Policies: Education and Training 2010. Development of education policies in Iceland in a European context.
The State Youth Council and Youth Fund within the Department of Cultural Affairs (see 2.)
(http://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/)
The Sports Committee and Sports Fund within the Department of Cultural Affairs (see 2.)
(http://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/)
The Icelandic Refugee Board within the Ministry of Social Affairs
(http://eng.felagsmalaraduneyti.is/departments/nr/948)
The main role of the Icelandic Refugee Board is to "make proposals to the government on an overall policy and structure for the reception of refugees, to supervise the reception of refugees and give comments on individual matters as requested".
CIVIL SOCIETY:
Women of Multicultural Ethnicity Network in Iceland (W.O.M.E.N.)
was founded in 2003. The mission is to unite women of multicultural ethnicity, to express and address their issues and interests as well as to work with native Icelandic women's movements, organisations and institutions that share their interests and goals.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Information, Cultural Affairs and Consular Liaison Department
(http://www.mfa.is/)
The Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA)
(http://www.iceida.is/)
ICEIDA is an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of its aims is to promote mutual understanding between Iceland and the developing countries by increasing cultural and commercial relations.
