On 29 and 30 June 2022, the ICC programme carried out the first expert visit to the city of Leeds, United Kingdom. During the visit members of the ICC Secretariat and an independent expert met city officials and staff, as well as representatives of the third sector and academia, working on the topics of integration, diversity, education, neighbourhoods, business and labour market, cultural and social life, LGBTI, parks and recreation, sports, and youth.

The aim was to assess the strengths and needs in relation to intercultural policies and governance together with the city. Leeds presented an excellent programme for the visit reflecting many areas of the Intercultural Cities Index. It focused on the topics of education, youth, social and cultural life, neighbourhoods, participation, business and labour market, as well as on presenting ongoing intercultural initiatives by the third sector, the city museum and volunteers. The programme of the visit also included a presentation of the intercultural integration concept to representatives of public authorities and civil society, as well as politicians.

The insights of the visit are reflected in the intercultural profile of the city which will form the basis of the subsequent work of Leeds within the Intercultural Cities network. The intercultural profile and the Intercultural Cities Index report can be found from the dedicated page of the city.

Leeds intercultural profile