Unlocking Potential Effective Strategies for Supporting Immigrant Children
The Nordic Network for Newly Arrived Students, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Children in Iceland, organised a conference titled Unlocking Potential: Effective Strategies for Supporting Immigrant Children. This one-day event, which was held on 7 December 2023 in Reykjavík, Iceland, brought together Nordic policymakers to enhance collaboration and share insights on improving educational and social outcomes for newly arrived immigrant children. The conference was a key event under Iceland’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2023, aligning with the broader goals of enhancing Nordic cooperation to create a green, competitive and socially sustainable region.
The conference served as a platform for Nordic policymakers to build professional networks as well as discuss policies and practices from across the region. It focused on the reception and integration of immigrant children, highlighting evidence-based approaches and current practices to support these students in language acquisition, inclusion, psychosocial support and active participation. The participants, including national experts and representatives from relevant ministries and authorities from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, discussed the opportunities and challenges they face in supporting immigrant children. The conference programme included presentations, discussions and networking opportunities, aiming to foster cooperation and generate new ideas for policy development.