We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming Workshop Diversity and Post-COVID-19 Lessons for Multicultural Societies.The recent global pandemic has reshaped the way societies operate, especially in multicultural environments. As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, it is crucial to reflect on the lessons learned and explore strategies for fostering diversity and integration in our communities. This event brings together activists, specialists, and community leaders from around the world to share insights, experiences, and best practices.

The workshop will focus on the following questions:

• How do organizations make programs aimed at migrants / refugees more sustainable (in terms of participation and funding)?
• How do organizations manage their activities to respond to the growing diversity (origin, education,language, age) of migrants / refugees and their needs?
• How did COVID-19 aPect organizations and their services?
• What roles do information and communication technologies play organizing activities and crisis risk communication and management?

Claudia Schneider: an Associate Professor in Migration Studies at Anglia Ruskin University (UK).  Claudia has led or co-led numerous projects in the area of social integration over more than 15 years, she is an international consultant in social integration projects and research centres in Norway, Sweden and Germany, facilitating the exchange of innovative integration practice across national borders. Claudia has published widely in the field of migration (forced and voluntary), transnationalisation and integration.

Marijanca Ajša Vižintin: a Research Associate at the Slovenian Migration Institute ZRC SAZU and an Associate Professor at the University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia). Her research interests are the inclusion of migrant students and the development of an intercultural education model, Slovenian emigration, Slovenian cultural associations and preserving Slovenian language and culture abroad. Marijanca is an author of The Role of Teachers in the Successful Integration and Intercultural Education of Migrant Children (Cambridge Scholars, 2022).

Om Dhungel: an Honorary Adjunct Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (Australia) and a Consultant, Trainer and Practitioner of Strength-Based Approach to refugee settlement and community engagement. He is an active community leader and serves on di[erent Committees and Boards including the NSW Health Ministry, NSW Police, Multicultural NSW and Blacktown City Council. Om is a co-author of Bhutan to Blacktown – Losing Everything and Finding Australia (University of New South Wales, 2023), discussing strengths-based approach to refugee settlement and community development, in addition to capturing his challenging life journey.

Daisuke Kawai: a Deputy Executive Secretary and Manager of Project Development at the Minoh City Association for International Exchange (Osaka, Japan). He has been involved in providing life consultation services for foreign residents and supporting children with foreign roots. Currently he works alongside sta[ and citizen volunteers with diverse backgrounds and experiences to promote the creation of a multicultural community.

Nestor L. Puno: Vice-President at Filipino Migrants Center – FMC (Nagoya, Japan). FMC focuses on issues such as aging, the integration of second-generation Japanese-Filipino nationals, and the education of undocumented children.

Emi Nogami: Director at NPO Takatori Community Center (Kobe, Japan) and a Lecturer at Mukogawa Women’s University. She works on community activities for Vietnamese living in Japan. And Shizuyo Yoshitomi: Executive Director of Takatori Community Center and a Professor at Mukogawa Women’s University. She has been actively participating in activities supporting foreign communities in Japan from 1990s.