Open seminar hosted by the Embassy of Canada in Iceland and The Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland

Canada’s immigration policy has often been touted as a model for other countries, and Canada is seen as a bastion for multiculturalism. However, public perception of immigration is on the decline, and immigration targets were recently scaled back.

In Iceland, immigration emerged as a key issue in recent elections, raising important questions about the effectiveness of the immigration system and exposing differing viewpoints on this sensitive and complex topic.

This seminar provides a chance to explore how the two countries' approaches to immigration align, differ, and what lessons they can share.

Ms. Jenny Hill, Canada’s Ambassador to Iceland will deliver opening remarks. Mireille Paquet, Associate Professor at Concordia University and Research Chair on the Politics of Immigration will give a presentation followed by panel discussion with Icelandic experts; Nína Helgadóttir, Programme manager at the Icelandic Red Cross, Paola Cardenas, Chair of the Immigrant Council of Iceland and Unnur Dís Skaptadóttir, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iceland.The seminar will be moderated by Pia Hansson, Director of the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland.

Join us for this open discussion on shaping effective, equitable, and sustainable immigration policies