Together for Better Integration: Conference on Adaptation and Integration Courses Held in Prague

At the beginning of October, representatives of state institutions, the non-profit sector and regional centres gathered at Novotného lávka in Prague for a conference on the Welcome to the Czech Republic adaptation and integration courses project. This year’s meeting focused on the latest evaluation findings, the sharing of course instructors’ experiences and expertise, and the practical challenges currently facing those involved in delivering the courses.

The morning programme brought together perspectives from both the state and the non-profit sector. The conference opened with contributions from Jan Kepka of the Department for Asylum and Migration Policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Jelena Silajdžić of the Slovo 21 organisation. In his opening remarks, Jan Kepka emphasised that successful integration is impossible without close cooperation between state institutions and organisations working directly with foreign nationals. This mutual support is central to the project.

A detailed evaluation presented by GEODAS provided insight into the current state of the courses. The findings confirmed a growing interest in the courses across the country, as well as high levels of participant satisfaction over time. The presentation was followed by a discussion with the audience.

The focus then shifted from evaluation findings to practical matters. Blanka Vosecká Veselá and Majdulin Oostrom led a session on methodology and information-sharing. They discussed methodological updates, the harmonisation of procedures and the sharing of essential information that course instructors and coordinators need to ensure the courses run smoothly.

As in previous years, the afternoon focused on regional experience. Representatives of the Integration Centre Prague, the Ministry of the Interior’s Refugee Facilities Administration, the South Moravian Region’s Centre for Foreigners, the Counselling Centre for Integration and the Diocesan Caritas of Hradec Králové presented examples of good practice.

The Integration Centre Prague attracted particular attention, as it has long been dealing with the largest number of course participants. The exchange of experiences also revealed an interesting development: demand has been growing for courses interpreted into Filipino, reflecting the changing profile of new arrivals.

The official programme concluded with an Open Mic session, which offered an informal space for questions, ideas and discussion of the practical challenges that arise when organising the courses.

The conference provided not only valuable data and insights but also an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and share ideas for the future. The informal networking afterwards further underlined the importance of the professional network behind the project and the vital role it plays in supporting the integration of foreign nationals in Czechia.

You can find more information about the adaptation and integration courses here.