Max Hahn, Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together & Reception of Refugees; Credit: MFSVA

Luxembourg's Ministry for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees has reported that a record number of signatories of the Welcome and Integration Contract and members of the new Biergerpakt programme participated at the Orientation Day at the European Convention Center Luxembourg (ECCL;  Kirchberg) on Saturday 9 November 2024.

Organised by the ministry, the event gave the more than 1,093 participants an opportunity to familiarise themselves with administrative procedures, the country's institutions and community life in Luxembourg.

During his opening speech, Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn, said: "Living together as an intercultural community concerns us all: Luxembourgers, non-Luxembourgers, residents and cross-border commuters. Our common objective is that this living together should be based on mutual respect, tolerance, solidarity, social cohesion and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination."

At 42 information desks, representatives of various Luxembourg ministries, administrations and associations were on hand to answer participants' questions on topics related to living together, such as political, civic and community participation, education, diploma recognition and culture.

In the interactive workshops, participants could take a closer look at areas where their commitment can make a difference, such as volunteering, simplifying administrative procedures and combatting racism.

The partners for this edition of the Orientation Day were Luxembourg's Ministry of the Economy with "Luxembourg - Let's make it happen" and the Council of Europe with "United around our values", an exhibition designed to mark the Council's 75th anniversary.

The Ministry for Family Affairs recalled that, with the entry into force of the new law on intercultural living together on 1 January 2024, the former "Welcome and Integration Contract" programme has been replaced by the "Biergerpakt" and the "Living Together Programme".

The Biergerpakt is offered to all adult residents of Luxembourg as well as cross-border workers, and enables participants to discover Luxembourg, its languages, customs, culture and institutions through various activities, including the Orientation Day. Further information is available at https://biergerpakt.zesummeliewen.lu/