New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: 2024
A strategy supporting the integration of refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants within Scotland’s communities. The strategy is led jointly by the Scottish Government, COSLA and Scottish Refugee Council.
Foreword
More than ten years after the publication of the first New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy in 2013, we are delighted to launch a new, updated Strategy, reflecting the changing shape of communities across Scotland and reaffirming our commitment to support and welcome New Scots.
The expertise of people with experience of settling in Scotland is at the heart of this Strategy. People with lived experience and practitioners contributed their insights during its development. It is also informed by learning from recent academic research and careful evaluation of the success of the Strategy’s progress to date.
Led in partnership by the Scottish Government, COSLA and Scottish Refugee Council, the New Scots Strategy is ambitious in its vision for a fair and equal Scotland, where people’s rights are respected and protected, and everyone is empowered to reach their full potential. But we know that none of us can achieve this alone. The Strategy is designed with collaboration at its heart, to ensure that we all play our part in meeting our responsibilities and delivering quality support and services for all who need them. Partnership will be needed with stakeholders from all sectors and all parts of the country to make the delivery of this Strategy a success.
As we launch the new Strategy, Scotland reaffirms its commitment to stand in solidarity with people who need refugee protection and a safe place to call home. This Strategy is designed to support all New Scots, whether they arrived via resettlement or relocation programmes, or through the UK’s asylum process. Regardless of the route of arrival, we know that all newcomers bring skills, expertise, and a breadth of personal, cultural and social diversity that enriches Scotland’s communities. We recommit to ensuring that all are treated equally and with parity under the full extent of Scotland’s devolved powers.
We look forward to working with all of you. We will be publishing a detailed Delivery Plan in summer 2024.
Emma Roddick MSP
Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees
Councillor Maureen Chalmers
COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson
Dr Sabir Zazai
Chief Executive, Scottish Refugee Council
Professor Alison Phipps
UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through the Languages and the Arts, University of Glasgow
Chair of the New Scots Core Group
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