New framework promotes intercultural integration in higher education

Higher education institutions are more than centers of knowledge and skills—they are spaces where migrants and host communities can connect, cultural dialogue can flourish, and students can learn to live and work alongside diverse groups. However, intercultural integration is too often approached as a one-way process, placing the burden of adaptation primarily on migrants. In reality, successful integration requires participation, openness, and learning from all parties, benefiting society as a whole.

To address this gap, UNESCO-supported publication “More than Welcome” offers a strategic and practical framework for intercultural integration in and through higher education. The publication frames integration not as individual adaptation, but as a multidirectional process in which everyone learns and contributes. It also emphasizes the critical role of institutions in creating environments that foster belonging, participation, and agency.

The framework is built around five key principles, placing intercultural competence at the heart of university practices in governance, teaching and learning, student support, staff development, and community engagement. It provides concrete entry points for higher education leaders and practitioners to assess current approaches, identify gaps, and create inclusive, fair, and collaborative environments.

The publication was presented on 21 January 2026 at the inaugural NAFSA – Association of International Educators Global Summit in Tangier, Morocco. More than 200 higher education leaders from around the world gathered to discuss how the framework can be applied at institutional, system, and cross-sector levels. The summit highlighted opportunities to embed intercultural integration into leadership, strategic planning, and daily practice across higher education systems.

The framework also offers practical guidance for universities: it helps assess existing approaches, identify gaps, strengthen student support and staff development, and enhance collaboration with communities. By focusing on integration as a shared, multidirectional process, “More than Welcome” moves beyond one-sided adaptation models and contributes to more inclusive and resilient societies.

Higher education institutions are increasingly recognized not just as centers of knowledge but as strategic actors in building open, tolerant, and inclusive communities. “More than Welcome” provides a concrete roadmap to help universities realize this role.