The Council for Ethnic Minorities was established in 1999 by the Integration Act aiming to promote participation of ethnic minorities in all areas of society. The Council advises the Minister of Refugee, Immigrant and Integration affairs on issues of importance to immigrants and refugees. The Council furthermore comments on new initiatives and has the right to comment on general issues relating to ethnic minorities but cannot deal with individual cases, complaints or the like.
The Council consists of 14 members who are elected among representatives from the local integration councils in the municipalities.
The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration
Affairs provides secretarial assistance to the Council for Ethnic Minorities. The Council meets with the Minister of Refugee, Immigrant
and Integration affairs every three months to discuss current problems, new initiatives and legislation. In addition to these meetings, the
Minister as well as the Ministry of Refugee, Immigrant and Integration affairs may request the Council to comment on specific issues and
action plans whenever relevant.
The Council also takes part in various
working groups that has been set up by the Government to deal with problems of importance to immigrants and refugees. At a local level app. 50 municipalities have established integration councils consisting partly of members representing local associations for ethnic minorities.
The local integration councils advise municipalities on
issues related to local integration policies and efforts and assist the local government to ensure an effective and coherent effort to
integrate ethnic minorities in society.
Read more on the web-site of REM
