Today, Queer World participated in a first joint meeting with the new Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, and several of the various LGBTQI+ organisations in the country.
We chose to use our speaking time to follow up on the government's Action Plan for Gender and Sexuality Diversity that was launched earlier this year, focusing on skills development together with Queer World in faith and life stance communities, but also further support to deliver on the goal of increased skills development in Norwegian language training, introduction programmes and adult education. Better opportunities for integration, language training and well-being lead to better integration and a more lasting connection to working life in Norway.
In addition, we highlighted the need for increased competence development together with the UDI, as we have found that there is great interest in Skeiv Verden's expertise in the immigration administration, both nationally and internationally. Queer World believes that ensuring good treatment at all levels for newly arrived asylum seekers, be it arrival centres, asylum reception centres, asylum interviews or caseworkers, will improve the mental and physical health of the individuals in our target group and referred to the government's goal of accepting more LGBT+ quota refugees.
Queer World also called for a new living conditions survey for LGBT+ and our target group.
The minister promised the queer organisations that she will continue to fight for our rights and quality of life. We look forward to a close and good co-operation with her!
