Vertssamfunnet

Vertssamfunnet is a term used in sociological and policy discourse to describe the host society—the part of a country or community that receives migrants, refugees, and other new residents. The term emphasizes the social and institutional environment that shapes how newcomers integrate, including laws, public services, norms, and attitudes. In this context, vertssamfunnet is defined in relation to immigrant or minority communities, but it also includes the native-born population and civil society actors who influence inclusion.

Etymology: It combines vert ('host') and samfunn ('society'), and is used in Norwegian debates on migration and integration to distinguish the environment that receives newcomers from the newcomers themselves.

Scope and dynamics: The host society provides language instruction, recognition of qualifications, labor market access, housing, education, and civic integration programs. Social cohesion depends on mutual trust, equal rights, anti-discrimination measures, and opportunities for interaction across groups. Attitudes toward immigrants, media framing, and political leadership can affect the pace and content of integration.

Policy relevance: Governments and local authorities often design policies with the host society in mind, balancing inclusion with social solidarity, while aiming to prevent segregation and the formation of parallel communities. Critics warn against stressing "the host society" as a static backdrop, arguing that inclusion requires addressing structural inequalities within the entire society.

See also: immigration, integration, multiculturalism, social cohesion, discrimination.