Refugees with Résumés. Admitting and Integrating Refugees in Germany and Europe
Over the last few years, the number of people seeking asylum in Europe has sharply risen. In 2015, the influx of refugees reached its peak. Ever since, the question of how refugees can be permanently integrated into the host societies has been intensely debated in Germany. Besides the acquisition of the national language, integration into the labour market is regarded as one of the main means.
However, what employment prospects do refugees actually have? Are they the solution for the German economy that has been lamenting the shortage of skilled workers for years? Which sector is seeking refugees as workers? Where are the advantages, and where do the problems lie for the companies? What opportunities and obstacles do refugees face when taking up a professional activity? Can the labour market even accomplish the task of integration?
Die The Next Frontier Debate takes the current discussions as an opportunity to present to the public the academic findings of migrant research on the integration of refugees into the labour market. Based on the individual educational backgrounds and occupational biographies, the requirements and conditions of the German labour market, as well as the capacity of state and civil society support, research will make statements on the prospects for integration of refugees in Germany. In doing so, the focus will be on the host society as a whole and the effects immigration has on it.
The panel discussion will bring together representatives from various disciplines as to do justice to the complexity of the subject-matter. The transdisciplinary Berlin Institute for Integration and Migration research (BIM) at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is also characterised by this approach. There, researchers explore the dynamics of migration, integration, in- and exclusion processes within “post-migrant societies”. By linking empirical research with theories of migration and integration, the Institute aims at enabling a critical reflection of already established discourses on the topics of immigration, belonging, discrimination, and racism.
The Next Frontier Debate offers an insight into current issues and research findings, debates necessary measures and explores possible solutions. The situation in Germany will be in the focus, though other European countries will also be examined. BIM-members Prof. Dr. Herbert Brücker, Visiting Professor of Economic Migration and Integration Research at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Dr. Serhat Karakayali, Assistant Professor at the Department for Diversity and Social Conflict at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Dr. Nadzeya Laurentsyeva, Research Fellow the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), will take part in the debate.
Prof. Brücker's presentation slides are available for download here.
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
6.00–8.00 pm
Festsaal der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Luisenstr. 56, 10117 Berlin
Due to the limited number of seats participants are invited to register by 30. October 2017 via the email address berlinscienceweek@hu-berlin.de
