As part of its “Project Integration through Dialogue”, KAICIID hosted a three-day multiplier training, equipping participants from Africa, Europe and the Middle East with facilitation skills to improve integration efforts.

Hosted at its headquarters in Vienna, the training in interreligious and intercultural dialogue brought together 16 participants from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. All participants either have a refugee background themselves or work in the field of migrant inclusion and empowerment.

This training was particularly unique, as KAICIID is working to extend its programmatic support to a wider group of beneficiaries in Austria. Facilitators originated from Indonesia, Mali, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda, as well as from previously targeted groups from Afghanistan, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Syria.

“This training was a unique opportunity for us to work with individuals from different parts of the world and teach them about social cohesion and the integration of migrants. Our goal is to gradually reach out to new target groups, which is underpinned by the participation of people who come from countries that had not been represented in any of our previous trainings”, Badi Niyazi, KAICIID’s “Integration through Dialogue” Project Coordinator said.

The training equipped participants with dialogue facilitation skills, as well as best practices for helping refugees and migrants be proactive towards their own integration efforts. During the training, participants were also introduced to KAICIID’s new Toolkit, which provides organizations and government agencies with the resources to replicate a 13-module interactive course on dialogue. Each module is designed to integrate newcomers into all aspects of their host country – including language-learning, opportunities for training and education, and increased understanding of community and cultural expectations.

Rachel Natukunda, who is originally from Uganda, sees the Toolkit as an important resource for African communities in Austria. “I can see myself promoting dialogue with the African community here in Vienna and the content of the Toolkit will surely help me to support people throughout their integration process”, she said.

Rachel particularly understands the challenges of navigating new education systems, having successfully graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Studies from the IMC University of Applied Sciences in Krems.

Standing apart from other integration programmes, “Project Integration through Dialogue” uses dialogue as an important tool to successfully promote integration and inclusion. Through dialogue, networks are created which give newcomers the opportunity to connect with communities and get to know new people in Vienna, which is beneficial for their integration process.

Sharing personal stories and experiences is essential when building relationships between newly arrived migrants and people from the host community, as it creates trust and understanding.

KAICIID will host two additional multiplier trainings during the course of 2020. For further information on how to get involved, please contact: badi.niyazi@kaiciid.org.