ICMC Europe launches first SHARE Network Magazine <

BRUSSELS, 20 February 2014 (ICMC) - The UN refugee agency believes that resettlement is the only solution for 691,000 refugees around the world. Resettlement offers refugees living in protracted situations the chance to enjoy a secure life with rights and opportunities, and refugees in emergency situations to escape danger, access medical treatment and live in safety.

Yet resettlement goes far beyond simply moving to a third state; it also involves being received and integrated within a new society. For resettlement to be a truly durable solution, host countries must offer refugees the reception and integration they need to settle into their new homes, neighbourhoods and societies.

Since March 2012, ICMC Europe's SHARE Project has sought to build the capacity of European regions, cities, municipalities and their civil society partners to become involved in refugee resettlement and to offer effective reception and integration for resettled refugees. SHARE has built toward a network of European regions, cities, municipalities and their civil society partners engaged and committed to refugee resettlement, protection and integration, and ICMC Europe is now pleased to announce the launch of the first edition of the SHARE Network Magazine<.

As stated by Johan Ketelers, Secretary General of ICMC, ‘SHARE is a verb, not a noun. It is about communities today and about our further community-building – locally, regionally, and internationally. It is about social cohesion, essential for the future of our societies, and essential for every individual.’

The continued financial support of the European Commission has enabled ICMC Europe and SHARE Network partners and stakeholders to continue the programme of network-building, best practice exchange and research developed over the past 2 years.

In the edition of the SHARE Network Magazine<, you can read about
• SHARE Project Partners< – including a ‘Partner in the Spotlight’ features on the Eurocities network
• The SHARE City Exchange Visit Programme<
• SHARE in the media –< media exchange on resettlement and the SHARE Network's partnership with Czech National Radio
• SHARE publications and resources <
• SHARE events< – including SHARE Network partnerships with the Committee of the Regions, the city of Lyon and Forum Réfugiés.
• Discussions and conclusions from the SHARE Network Conference< in October 2013
• Consultation with SHARE partners, participants, and stakeholders<

For more information on SHARE and to access SHARE resources, reports, videos and publications, please follow the links in our magazine or visit the SHARE project webpages www.resettlement.eu/page/welcome-share-network<.

For questions or additional information about SHARE, please contact Rachel Westerby, City Coordinator at ICMC (city.coordinator@icmc.net<)