Members of the Conseil national pour étrangers, including its president Franco Avena (front row, centre) pose with family and integration minister Corrine Cahen. Franco Avena/CNE

Members of the Conseil national pour étrangers, including its president Franco Avena (front row, centre) pose with family and integration minister Corrine Cahen. Franco Avena/CNE

The CNE, an independent advisory body to the government, had not met in full session since its new members were elected in July 2017 and had come under fire for what critics called a lack of engagement. But Cahen urged the council to work pro-actively so that the county could maintain its role as a model of integration.

The council has decided to create six permanent working committees to tackle priority issues. These include liaison with the communal consultative commissions on integration; migration and cross-border workers; refugees and those seeking international protection; youth, education and continuous training; civic engagement with associations, and the dealing with the elderly.

CNE president Franco Avena and vice-president Claire Geier-Courquin said at the meeting that they want to create a mood of trust and transparency among members, and also ensure the CNE maintains good relations with external bodies such as the Luxembourg reception and integration office, OLAI.