Belgian integration policy assessed. A quantitative research into the effectiveness of the current policy objective for refugee centres to organise integration facilitating activities

Given the recent asylum crisis and the challenges it poses to governments all over Europe, integration and integration facilitation for refugee centres (RCs) and their residents seem to gain in importance. Over the past twelve years, federal and regional suppliers of reception for asylum seekers in Belgium, have already been organising integration facilitating activities, so-called 'Neighbourhood Initiatives' (NIs). Notwithstanding their efforts in doing so, evaluations on the matter are scarce and thus far entirely reliant upon self-evaluation by the RCs. In 2016, KU Leuven's Public Governance Institute therefore conducted a policy evaluation project, for the first time looking into the efficacy and quality of those NI-practices in Belgium. The present paper summarises some of the project's findings concerning one specific type of NIs: school visits organised by the RCs. Comparisons of pupils'/students' answers prior to and after a study visit indicates these activities only partially fulfil the expectations. There thus still proves a long way ahead for policy makers when trying to alter the opinion and perception of a new generation of citizens on asylum.