On October 17, 2024, the HISTORY BOX project held its highly anticipated Final Conference, “Alternative Pathways to the Integration of Refugees and Migrants,” at Industrious in Brussels. This engaging event brought together educators, social workers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to integration through history education, intercultural policy-making, and community involvement.

Keynote Presentations and Insights

The evening opened with a welcome speech, followed by an introduction to Fedasil’s new initiatives for pre-integration support for asylum seekers. Perrine Raquez from Fedasil highlighted strategies aimed at improving early-stage integration for refugees, setting a collaborative tone for the sessions to follow.

History Education as a Tool for Integration

The importance of history education in the integration process was emphasized by experts such as Peter Marckhgott-Sanabria from Die Berater in Austria, who spoke on “Why History Education?” and Mariana Restrepo from INCOMA in Spain, who presented “History Through Different Eyes: Why Perspective Matters.” These discussions showcased the value of historical understanding in fostering empathy and bridging cultural divides.

Nancy Zoidou Saripapa from KMOP Policy Centre introduced the HISTORY BOX project’s methodology for equipping educators with tools to incorporate history education into integration courses. Her presentation underscored the impact of inclusive history education on building stronger, more cohesive communities.

Intercultural Policy and Perspectives on Integration

Sessions on intercultural approaches highlighted the value of cultural awareness in policy-making. Emanuela Pisano from the Assembly of European Regions (AER) discussed the role of intercultural policy, while Daria La Barbera from CESIE emphasized the importance of representing the African continent’s stories and cultures, fostering a richer, more inclusive dialogue on migration.

Practical Approaches and Community Initiatives

Rasmus Trappe from Bring Hope Foundation shared insights on Sweden’s educational framework for adult immigrants, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. Vanessa Cotterell from UNITEE discussed practical initiatives to enhance migrant participation and community inclusion, providing valuable examples of successful integration efforts.

Closing and Networking

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, followed by a networking opportunity with refreshments, allowing participants to connect and discuss further collaborations.

The HISTORY BOX Final Conference was a resounding success, reinforcing the importance of history education and intercultural awareness in the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive Europe. Thank you to all speakers and attendees for making this event memorable and impactful.