MIPEX Partners

Austria - Counselling Centre for Migrants

 The counselling centre for migrants in Vienna has been in existence since September 1983 and ranks among Austria’s oldest and largest counselling institutes for migrants. It represents an important and independent contact point for male and female migrants in Vienna dealing with questions concerning labour market policy, law relating to aliens and social law. The counselling offers are complemented by varied projects and topic-specific public relations.

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Australia - Settlement Council of Australia

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is the national peak body representing migrant and refugee settlement agencies across Australia. SCOA is a membership-based organisation; our members provide a range of services to support refugees and humanitarian entrants as they settle into life in Australia. SCOA provides a credible and informed source of knowledge and advice on migrant and refugee settlement issues, settlement planning, service delivery and related policy and program matters.

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Belgium - King Baudouin Foundation

The King Baudouin Foundation is an independent and pluralistic foundation whose aim is to serve society. Our objective is to make a lasting contribution to justice, democracy and respect for diversity. Each year, the Foundation provides financial support for some 2,000 organizations and individuals committed to building a better society. Our fields of activity for the coming years are poverty, democracy, heritage, philanthropy, health, leadership, local engagement, migration and development. The Foundation was created in 1976, to mark the 25th anniversary of King Baudouin’s reign.

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OSI-S is a non-governmental organization, acting for the public benefit. The Institute is founded in 1990 with the support of Mr. George Soros.

OSI-S acts as a policy broker with a strong advocacy component. Its mission is to promote, develop and sustain the values, attitudes and practices of the open society in Bulgaria. OSI-S applies a broad range of instruments such as independent civic monitoring and evaluation, performing research activities for public policies; building capacity in both public institutions and civil society to encourage civic participation; providing training and consultancy to disadvantaged groups with a special focus on diversity management; organizing advocacy campaigns to influence public policies.

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Canada - The Maytree Foundation

Maytree is a private Canadian charitable foundation established in 1982, committed to reducing poverty and inequality in Canada and to building strong civic communities. Maytree is Canada’s only private foundation that focuses on the acceleration of immigrant and refugee settlement. We have developed well-recognized in-house expertise on creating and implementing practical solutions through programs, policy insights and grants. As an independent voice, we have demonstrated our capacity to raise public awareness and to speak on the issue of immigrant inclusion from a basis of fact and substance, and in the interest of nation building.

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Canada - The Association for Canadian Studies

Founded in 1973 at Queen’s University, the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) is a non-profit organization with individual and institutional members. The Association is most active at the post-secondary level, but maintains ties with all sectors of education and collaborates with programs, centres, groups, institutes and organizations across Canada and internationally.

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Cyprus - Action forEquality, Support and Anti-Racism

KISA is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), established in 1998. KISA's overall goal and objective is the promotion of an all-inclusive, multicultural society, free of racism, xenophobia and discrimination and where through the interaction and mutual respect of different cultures there will be equality of all, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity, colour, creed or gender, sexual preference or any other characteristic. KISA focuses its activities in the fields of Migration, Asylum, Racism, Discrimination and Trafficking.

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Czech Republic - People in Need

People in Need (PIN) is a legally registered Czech NGO which provides relief aid and development assistance, while working to defend human rights and democratic freedom.  In the Czech Republic, People in Need administers social integration programs and provides informative and educational activities. People in Need is one of the largest organizations of its kind in post-communist Europe, and has managed projects in thirty-seven countries over the past fifteen years.   

In October 2002, People in Need began a migration awareness programme. The aim of the programme is to improve the relationship and knowledge of the host society on immigrants’communities via media coverage on the issue.^back to top

Czech Republic - Multicultural Centre Prague

The Multicultural Centre Prague is a non-profit organization interested in issues related to the coexistence of different cultures in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Since our founding in 1999, we have been busy working on new educational, cultural and information initiatives. We organize workshops, courses, international seminars, debates, film screenings and book readings for children, students, teachers, librarians and just about everybody else. We have a well-stocked public library designed for those with an interest in multicultural issues. See also  www.migrationonline.cz

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Denmark - Danish Refugee Council

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, humanitarian organization covering all aspects of the refugee cause.

The aim of the organisation is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions. Danish Refugee Council is an umbrella organization with 30 member organizations.^back to top

Finland - Think Tank e2

The Think Tank e2 was set up in Finland in 2006 to foster research and debate on ‘progressive and social liberal values' of contemporary society. e2's operational activities focus on Finland in the EU and the international community; promoting equal opportunities and preventing social exclusion; increasing political participation and local democracy; the drivers for social change and sustainable development. Based in Helsinki, Think Tank e2 is a member of the network of European liberal think-tanks. 

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France - Terra Nova

Terra Nova is an independent and progressive think tank which aims at producing and spreading innovative political solutions, in France and Europe. Terra Nova has three main objectives:

- Reforming the matrix of social-democracy
- Producing expertise and operational political solutions
- Working together with European and international progressive think tanks.

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France - France Terre d'Asile

The right to asylum, our tradition, our future

France Terre d’Asile was founded in 1971 with a mission to support the everyday struggle of the right to asylum, closely follow legal and administrative developments in this matter, play an active role in receiving refugees and asylum seekers, and encourage socio-economic integration policies of migrants. France Terre d’Asile’s missions are:

- Promoting the right to asylum and integration in France and in Europe
- Social and administrative aid for asylum seekers
- Receiving unaccompanied minors
- Training for social workers.
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Germany - the Heinrich Böll Foundation

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is part of the Green political movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism, and conservatism. Our main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We place particular emphasis on gender democracy, meaning social emancipation and equal rights for women and men. We are also committed to equal rights for cultural and ethnic minorities and to the societal and political participation of immigrants. Finally, we promote non-violence and proactive peace policies.

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Greece - i-RED: Institute for Rights, Equality &Diversity

The Institute for Rights Equality and Diversity aims to research and political intervention through interdisciplinary, socioeconomic and legal analysis, public dissemination of research findings and policy recommendations regarding migrants and minorities and the phenomena of migration, racism, discrimination towards equality and participation in Greece and Europe.

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Greece - Hellenic League for Human Rights

The Hellenic League for Human Rights, founded in 1953, is the oldest Non Governmental Organisation for human rights protection and promotion in Greece. The League takes action in the field of promotion and defense of individual rights and freedoms. The prevention of violations of human and civil rights and contribution or the protection of human rights is the League's fundamental intervention pillar. The league actualizes its goals through the research and study of problems involving human rights protection, both in collective and in individual level, the submission of proposals to the administration for the solution of such problems, legal aid to victims of human rights violations, sensibilisation of public opinion, consolidation of public dialogue on human rights through the organization of press conferences, colloquies, publications active interventions and other actions judged necessary.

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Hungary - Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants

Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants was established in January 1995 as a civil initiative. The Association operates as a non-profit organisation, independent from governmental institutions.

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Ireland - Immigrant Council of Ireland

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) is an independent immigrant human rights organisation. We advocate for the rights of immigrants and their families, and act as a catalyst for public debate and policy change. The ICI became an Independent Law Centre in 2006, and remains the only NGO in Ireland’s immigration sector with that status. 

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Italy - Fondazione ISMU

Fondazione ISMU, formerly FondazioneCariplo-ISMU since 1991, is an autonomous and independent organization promoting studies, research and projects on multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, and focusing in particular on the phenomenon of international migration. ISMU presents itself as a service structure open to cooperation with other institutions, public organizations, the world of voluntary work and non-profit organizations, school institutes of any educational area and level, and scientific institutions both in Italy and abroad. The major ISMU activity areas being: documentation; research; information; training.

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Latvia - Providus – Center for Public Policy

Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS was established at the end of 2002 by the Soros Foundation-Latvia and several individuals and has since developed as the leading think-tank in Latvia.

PROVIDUS mission is to facilitate comprehensive policy change in areas important for Latvia’s development. PROVIDUS also provides expertise to other countries undergoing democratic transformation.

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Lithuania - Institute for Social Research

The Institute is an independent public institution provided basic funding by the government and earning part of its budget through the commissioned research. Currently with over 50 employees working in five departments of the Institute, there are a number of projects running that range from statistical analysis of large data sets to qualitative research, from academic analysis of social theory to applied studies and policy analysis. Members of ISR have worked in providing the policy makers with the advanced knowledge regarding demographic change, equal opportunities, impact of pension reform, and discrepancies in social services – with regard to general population as well as particular vulnerable groups, such as Roma, migrants, disabled etc.

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Luxembourg - ASTI –Association de Soutien des Travailleurs Immigrés

ASTI is an independant NGO working on the ground, in an multicultural neighbourhood of the city of Luxemburg. It's 600 members - of all political parties and more than 20 nationalities - give ASTI the means to be really independent. ASTI was founded in 1979 to fight for equal rights for foreigners, and for the right to vote in particular.

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Netherlands - FORUM – Institute for Multicultural Affairs

The Institute for Multicultural Affairs FORUM is the largest non-governmental actor in the field of integration policy in the Netherlands.  The institute focuses on developments and issues relating to the Dutch multicultural society in general, and to the integration of (ethnic) minorities in particular.  FORUM is a national centre of expertise that stands for a society in which people from various communities live together as fully recognised citizens.

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Norway - KIM – Norway’s Contact Committee for Immigrants and Authorities

Norway´s Contact Committee for Immigrants and the Authorities (KIM) is a Government-appointed body charged with facilitating dialogue between minority communities and the authorities and providing the government with advice and input in issues which are of principle importance to minority communities.

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Poland - IPA – Institute for Public Affairs

The Insitute of Public Affairs (IPA) an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank. The IPA was established in 1995 to support modernisation reforms and to provide a forum for informed debate on social and political issues.
It conducts research as well as societal analysis and presents policy recommendations.

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Portugal - Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

CalousteGulbenkian Foundation is a Portuguese private institution of public utility whose statutory aims are in the fields of arts, charity, education and science. Created by a clause in CalousteSarkisGulbenkian's will, the Foundation's statutes were approved in 1956. Presently, the CalousteGulbenkian Foundation is one of the main European Foundations.

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Romania - The Soros Foundation Romania

The Soros Foundation Romania – NGO established in 1990  - focuses on critical issues for the development of the Romanian society, currently streaming its financial and human efforts towards advocacy activities. At the same time, the Foundation is gaining and providing substantial expertise in fields such as migration and inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized minorities, and it is going further with monitoring the decision-making process at both central and local levels. The Soros Foundation Romania has a long experience in research on different issues important for the Romanian society like migration, politics, media, education.

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Slovakia - IVO – Institute for Public Affairs

The Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) is an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank. The IVO was established in 1997.  Its legal form is that of a civil association. The Institute’s mission is to analyze social, political, economic, foreign policy, legal, cultural, and other issues of pub­lic interest; to conduct research on public policies and their consequences; to study, document, and help to promote  Slo­va­kia’s transition to a free, democratic, and open society; to stimulate public debate on important issues through publications, lectures, seminars, workshops, and roundtables; and to promote the active involvement of informed citizens in public life.

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Spain - CIDOB – Barcelona Centre for International Affairs

The CIDOB Foundation is an independent institution based in Barcelona, devoted to the study and research of international relations and development studies. Its regional interests include Latin America, the Mediterranean and the Arab world, Asia and Europe. Its topical interests include international politics, strategic studies, development and cooperation, intercultural relations and migrations.

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Swedish Red Cross

Swedish Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in Sweden and has some 1180 local Red Cross branches around the country. Our core activities are RFL - Restoring family links, social assistance, health issues, refugee support and disaster preparedness. Swedish Red Cross has some 35 000 volunteers and 230 000 members around the country.

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Switzerland - SFM – Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies

In the middle of the nineties, as the Swiss authorities were exploring a federal integration policy for immigrants and their offspring, the need was felt to found this future policy on systematic research findings on migration and integration processes. Along with a national research program on Migration and intercultural relationships the Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies was founded in 1995.

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Switzerland - Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Social Work

The University: In 1997, seven regional, public-funded universities of applied sciences were created in Switzerland. Their degree programmes are approved by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. More than 4100 students are now enrolled in Bachelor and Master programmes at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. It comprises several campuses, all of them centrally located in, or close to, the city of Lucerne.

Social Work: The School of Social Work is an innovative and practice-based learning center that also conducts research and offers a broad range of professional services. The School has contributed much to the ongoing professionalization and advancement of social work and enjoys an excellent reputation among experts and students.^back to top

UK - Runnymede Trust

Founded in 1968, Runnymede is a leading independent think tank on ethnicity and cultural diversity. Its mandate since inception has been to challenge racial discrimination, to influence related legislation and to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain. Runnymede fulfils its mandate through timely, high-visibility, leading-edge policy research. It advises its target audiences on how best to promote the value of diversity in our communities. Its ideas and research are of relevance to the policy-making community, the private sector, and of course the voluntary sector, both in the UK and the rest of Europe.

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UK - Immigration Advisory Service

The Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) is the largest, most experienced UK not-for-profit national charity giving legal advice and representation to immigrants and asylum seekers from first advice to ultimate appeal. It has more than 400 staff in 20 UK and overseas offices. IAS produces the leading immigration legal publications to which all immigration judges subscribe, produces research and provides training. It is consulted regularly by Government and Parliament. All its caseworkers are professionals specialising in immigration, nationality and asylum.

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USA - Immigration Policy Centre – American Immigration Council

The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy arm of the American Immigration Council. IPC's mission is to shape a rational conversation on immigration and immigrant integration. Through its research and analysis, IPC provides policymakers, the media, and the general public with accurate information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy on U.S. society. IPC reports and materials are widely disseminated and relied upon by press and policy makers. IPC staff regularly serves as experts to leaders on Capitol Hill, opinion-makers and the media. IPC, formed in 2003 is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office.

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A.Ross

Institute for Policy Studies in Education (IPSE): Research and analysis in Education with a commitment to social justice

IPSE is a Research Institute of London Metropolitan University.

IPSE’s central concern is with policies that frame the structure, delivery, practice and performance of education at all levels, both in the UK and where appropriate in European and international settings. IPSE staff engage with policy makers and practitioners so that practice informs policy. Interests include educational policy in a wide range of settings - from early years to continuing and life-long learning, within informal settings and formal organisations, governmental and voluntary.

The Institute is distinctive in its strong commitment to social justice, and in its particular focus on the social role of educational policy, especially the ways in which education can develop greater levels of social inclusion, opening up educational and social opportunities to individuals and groups who have hitherto had difficulties in securing access to achievement within various forms of high quality educational provision. This commitment includes the investigation of areas such as social class, ethnicity and gender, but also encompasses the rapid developments and changes in the practice and delivery of education. IPSE aims to have a high impact on user communities. It also uses innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary ideas to develop new ways of understanding educational and social problems.
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D.Jacobs, P. De Bruycker, Y. Pascouau

UniversitéLibres de Bruxelles - ULB

The city of Brussels is the capital of a federal state which has three different administrative regions based on language and has been at the heart of Europe since 1957. It naturally follows that the city should have a university in keeping with its standing and the ULB, with its 20,000 students, 27% of whom come from abroad, and its very cosmopolitan body of staff, is an intrinsically international institution open to both Europe and to the whole world.

The ULB is a multicultural institution which has 7 faculties and a range of schools and institutes and is, at the same time, a comprehensive university providing academic tuition in all disciplines and study cycles.

With its three Nobel Prize winners, a Fields medal, three Wolf Prize for physics, two Marie Curie Prizes and 29% of the Francqui prizes awarded, the university is also a major research centre which is recognised by the academic community the world over.

Nor does it shirk its social, societal and scientific commitments, which it meets through combining broad access to higher education with excellent quality research and through its role in furthering economic development in the regions where it is located (Brussels and Wallonia). The ULB also has a teaching hospital – the HôpitalErasme, a specialist institute for studying cancer – the Institut Bordet, and an extensive hospital network.

Founded on the principle of free-thinking analysis which advocates independent reasoning and the rejection of dogma in all its forms, the ULB has remained true to its original ideals – an institution free from any form of control which is committed to defending democratic humanist values, an approach it also extends to the way that it is run.
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J. Toth

University of Szeged

The history of the University of Szeged goes back to 1581 when Istvan Báathory, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania and Prince of Transylvania established a Faculty of Phylosophy and Theology in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca) inside the Jesuit College. Due to troubled history, the Jesuit order was dissolved, and Piarist College re-established the university including the faculty of law and medicines in 1774-1775. The Royal University formally founded in 1872 considered as intellectual successor of the Báthory academic institute. During the second WW the university had to move to Szeged upgrading the spiritual capacity of the city that could become a multiple-centre of sciences and arts.

The University of Szeged has 30 000 students, 68 master and 66 bachelor programmes, 27 post-graduate study programmes and 17 doctoral schools. The number of researchers and teachers is over 1 800 persons including 14 members of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 114 Doctor of Academy and 640 PhDs. Spirit of complexity in sciences and disciplines has been ensured by 12 faculties of the University (law, medical, pharmacy, dentist, natural sciences, arts, economics, philology, pedagogy, engineering and communication).

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Kay Hailbronner

University of Konstanz

As a well-known and respected research university, the University of Excellence Konstanz enjoys an outstanding reputation throughout Germany as well as at international level. Konstanz has four Collaborative Research Centres, five Research Groups, three Research Centres, four Research Training Groups, five EU projects in which Konstanz has lead responsibility, plus 13 Research Initiatives. The Zukunftskolleg is the only institution of its kind in Germany in the field of promoting young scientists and researchers. The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Prize has already been won six times by scientists from Konstanz. With a value of 2.5 million euros, it is Germany's highest sponsorship award.

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