The pedagogical base of the CO programme is the Cross-cultural Facilitators. A Cross-cultural Facilitator is a person who has an origin or background similar to the refugee group in question and who also has a solid background from and living experience in Norway. He or she speaks the language of the CO participants thus eliminating the need for an interpreter. Similar ethnic and immigrant/refugee background and ability to speak the same language as the refugees facilitates creation of trusting and open atmosphere in the class room. Cross-cultural Facilitator also acts as a role model for refugees as the facilitator him/herself has gone successfully through an integration process in Norway, learned the language and has also managed to professionally establish him/herself in Norway.