The social participation of refugees and migrants has become a central issue in debates on integration policies in host countries. Recognizing that these individuals contribute economically, politically, socially, and culturally to the places where they live—and that many intend to stay—it is essential that their voices, needs, experiences, and contributions are considered in decisions that affect their lives and the communities that welcome them.

This is not merely about symbolic presence in dialogue spaces but about the ability to influence decision-making in environments shared with local citizens, positioning them as active participants in the political and social processes of the countries they help build. Best practices in social integration highlight the importance of including measures that encourage the active participation of refugees and migrants in the broader set of public policies aimed at promoting their full integration.

In recent decades, Brazil has stood out for its policies on the reception and protection of migrants and refugees. Between January 2010 and November 2024, more than 1.7 million people received regular migration status, over 146,000 people were recognized as refugees, and another 457,000 are still awaiting the review of their asylum applications. Brazil has become a model for best practices in handling mass displacement flows, particularly in the case of Venezuelan citizens. It is the third-largest host country for Venezuelans in Latin America, implementing programs such as Operação Acolhida in the states of Roraima and Amazonas.

However, a significant portion of the migrant and refugee population still faces substantial barriers to full integration into Brazilian society, resulting in much higher levels of unemployment, poverty, and exclusion compared to local citizens.

Recognizing this situation, over the past two years, the federal government has promoted the active participation of migrants, refugees, and stateless people in shaping the national policy directed at this population. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice, an extensive public consultation process was launched through the National Conference on Migrants, Refugees, and Stateless Persons (COMIGRAR). This mechanism, provided for in Brazilian legislation, aimed to gather input reflecting their experiences, challenges, and proposals, contributing to the development of more inclusive and effective policies for integration into Brazilian society.

Between September 2023 and June 2024, 119 preparatory conferences were held, bringing together approximately 14,000 participants, including migrants, refugees, stateless people, representatives from ministries, state and municipal governments, international organizations, and civil society organizations, such as educational and research institutions, residents’ associations, and local collectives. The preparatory phase resulted in the formulation of 2,151 proposals, which the Ministry of Justice streamlined into 180 proposals for the national phase. In the second stage, held in Brasília, more than 271 delegates, elected during the preparatory conferences, debated and voted on amendments, selecting 60 proposals deemed top priorities.

Assessing the experience, COMIGRAR successfully mobilized a significant portion of the migrant, refugee, and stateless community, as well as representatives of public and private entities working on migration issues. This coordination effort highlighted the challenges faced by a population that often experiences vulnerability, yet contributes in multiple ways to Brazil’s social and economic development. With better conditions, their contributions could be even greater. Furthermore, the initiative facilitated the formulation of relevant proposals to build a more inclusive national policy, aimed at removing barriers that hinder full integration for people whose lives are already deeply intertwined with Brazil.

The process has raised high expectations for improving the living conditions of migrants, refugees, and stateless people in Brazil. However, the effectiveness of this initiative as a best practice will depend on the federal government’s continuity in implementing the 60 prioritized proposals through public policies that lead to tangible changes.

It is crucial that the government takes into account the input provided by society when formulating and approving a national policy and program for the care of refugees, migrants, and stateless people. Given that this policy requires a cross-sectoral approach among different ministries, and the involvement of states and municipalities, the government must establish a proper governance structure to coordinate the various initiatives that will be implemented. Additionally, it is essential to create incentives for states and municipalities to participate in these initiatives.

Ensuring adequate financial resources is also vital for the effective implementation of the policy. This type of investment has the potential to generate significant benefits for the country, far exceeding the initial resources allocated to the issue.

Moreover, the implementation of this national policy must have strong political backing to ensure that the issue remains on the government’s public policy agenda. To achieve this, it will be crucial for migrant community leaders and civil society organizations to continue monitoring the policy’s implementation and work alongside various political actors to strengthen support for the initiative.

Brazil has made significant progress in building a national policy for refugees, migrants, and stateless people, but it is now essential to implement concrete actions to eliminate barriers and address the needs of a population that is already part of Brazilian society and contributes, in multiple ways, to the present and future of the country.

_{*Machine translation proofread by Janaína da Silva.}