KIA organizes almost weekly events where all people of the community are welcome to gather around in an international environment to create a warmer Norway.

By BENJAMIN MOEYERSONS (text & photo)

KIA (Kristent Interkulturelt Arbeid) in Molde is an organization led by department manager Reidar Andestad.

«The main purpose is to gather people in an international environment in the local community of Molde», he says.

KIA Norway’s goal is to create an understanding among Norwegians towards asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. By organizing all sorts of activities, they try to build bridges between people from all over the world, to remind them that no matter where you come from, we are responsible as a collective to contribute to the world we want to live in.

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In Molde specifically, Reidar believes in the integration of refugees in the local community. They are allowed to work for KIA on a voluntary basis as part of their initiation program into life in Norway, combined with Norwegian language courses and the widening of their cultural knowledge, so the refugees can integrate themselves in the Norwegian way of life. Upon completion of their tasks at KIA Molde, they receive a certificate for their working experience with the local community.

Even though the organization has the concept of Christianity in its name, they are however open to every religion and does not force anyone to conform. For the past eight years, KIA has worked together with the municipality of Molde to reach as much people as possible; their aim is to explain the importance of cultural integration and to have an open mind with our fellow world citizens.

International Cafés are held every other Saturday from 11-16h, each time set in a different country as theme, with dinner in the Cathedral basement of Molde. Before the actual dinner starts there are board games, pool table, Ping-Pong and other activities together with tea and coffee to enjoy in an informal multicultural sphere. During dinner, from 13-15h, basic information is given about the country, a quiz to check your international knowledge, and photos and videos to show the beauty and uniqueness the country has to offer.

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Every first Monday of the month there is also Middag på Tvers – international dinner, from 17-19h at the same location.

The next event is a Syrian dinner tomorrow, Saturday 19th of November, from 11-16h.