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12 December 2023

Sweden: New refugee orientation course proposed

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Newly arrived refugees and their family members are offered an orientation course on Swedish society and traditions shortly after having recieved their residence permit. The course requires involvement of a minimum of 100 hours, and is usually part of a wider integration programme.

The Swedish government appointed an inquiry with the aim of making sure that the introductory course helps newly arrived migrants to "understand the basic values that are reflected in [Sweden's] laws, regulations and social codes", according to a press release from the Swedish Minister for Integration, Johan Pehrson.

It was found that orientation courses differ in quality and content across the country, and that there is no overall monitoring of the quality of the courses offered. Few municipalities make use of tests to measure how much participants have learned, and there are no central statistics on outcomes, number of participants, and so on.

The inquiry is charged with proposing new content for the ortientation course, with a view to:

  • increasing participants' knowledge about the role of Swedish authorities in society, the principles of the rule of law, opportunities for democratic participation and everyone's right to freedom of speech and religion;
  • increasing emphasis on equality, women's rights, freedom of religion and society's other basic values;
  • including focus on honour-related violence, as well as on the rights of the child.


The inquiry is also charged with proposing how the new course should:

  • become part of regular adult education;
  • have a uniform and quality-assured content;
  • be placed under government supervision and control;
  • be guided by reliable statistics and follow-up.

The government inquiry is asked to report its findings before February 2025. 

Details

Publication dates
Geographic area
Sweden
Source
Posted by
Lisa Pelling
Country Coordinator

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