FORUM, Institute for Multicultural Affairs, works as an independent knowledge institute for Dutch society as a whole, for residents and newcomers alike, without any ties with a formal group of supporters. We do not represent any interests. FORUM’s mission is to contribute towards social stability in the Netherlands on the basis of knowledge (facts, figures and developments).
Our aim is to foster social stability by providing solutions to integration issues concerning migrants and their children, and to prevent and combat social tension among ethnic minority and native Dutch groups and among ethnically diverse groups.

Mission
FORUM’s social mission is threefold, i.e. to promote:
• social cohesion;
• shared citizenship;
• a multi-ethnic society of equal citizens.

The institute operates in a turbulent environment, on the cutting edge between policy and implementation and within a dynamic social and politico-governmental context.

Modus operandi
FORUM is chiefly led by the social context in which governments, citizens and institutions operate. By mapping out developments within society, conducting or commissioning research and translating theory into workable methods and new alliances, FORUM fulfils the role of knowledge director, catalyst and communicator.

• Knowledge director: Gathering, explaining and disseminating knowledge on integration and diversity policy and by doing so fulfilling a social need;
• Catalyst: (Where necessary) accelerating and intensifying integration and diversity policy, and forming alliances with those organisations and institutions which can effect the acceleration;
• Communicator: Participating in and encouraging an evidence-based, wide-ranging social debate on all aspects of integration and diversity policy.

FORUM applies various methods for contributing to the acceleration of integration processes and the improved functioning of multicultural society: studies, intervention programmes, debates and publications, alliances with partner organisations, specific support for emancipation processes, expert meetings and masterclasses, coordinatory consultations with administrators and politicians, mosque visits, competitions for youngsters, women’s salons, company visits and legal aid.

Personnel diversity
FORUM is itself a reflection of society. The institute has over 100 employees: about fifty percent are men and fifty percent women. At managerial level, 47% have ethnic minority origins and one in three is female.

Funding
FORUM receives funding from various Dutch ministries, including the ministries for Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Foreign Affairs, Education, Social Affairs and Employment. FORUM also receives financing from private funds.