Refugees in Germany – Problem or

Opportunity?

August 5, 2017 | Markus Schwarzer

Visit to Berlin

During a recent visit to Berlin, Germany, I came face to face with the sheer size of the refugee situation. Over the last two years, more than 1 million people entered Germany as refugees.

People are on the move. Fleeing from their homelands from persecution, violence and poverty. In the hope of a better life, they also come to Germany.

Many people who are now coming to Germany have a legitimate claim to political asylum. They are also likely to remain in the long term in Germany. Fast solutions for the conflicts are not in sight. This is especially true for people from Syria, Iraq and Eritrea.

Millions seek Asylum

In 2016, almost 500k sought asylum. The majority of countries with vastly different cultures.

At the turn of 2015/16 more than 1,000 people a day, arrived in Berlin. This is now down to 20-30 per day.

Nowadays, the ultra long queues outside the National Office of Health and Social Affairs in Berlin-Moabit are a thing of the past. Nevertheless, there are still significant numbers ofrefugees lining up and hope for asylum.

The composition of Asylum Seekers in

Germany, 2016

Administrative Challenges

This increasingly challenges the local and federal government authorities. Often pushed to capacity limits. Again and again, employees complain about overloading.

The language and cultural barriers are significant. The two biggest hurdles for successful integration.

Huge Costs

Whether it is 17 billion Euros, 20 or even 23, does not really matter. In any case, It’s a huge amount spent in 2016 for the reception, housing and care of refugees.

A large number of measures are available for immigrants in the areas of language teaching, education, and work.

.

Access to Labour Market

In addition, most refugees are poorly educated in order to compete on equal terms in the German labour market. Close to 2/3rd have no high school or uni education

The recognition of qualification often takes a long time or not at all. Gaining access to records in war-torn and corrupt countries tends to be very difficult.

Refugee education levels 2016

German Language

To learn the German language is the first step into integration. This begins with language support measures:

in daycare centers such as the “Language Kitas” program are supported by the Federal Government over the program period from 2016 to 2019 with up to Euros 100 million annually.This is followed by school-based language support in German, which is aimed at children whose knowledge of German is not sufficient. The formats vary according to the age of the children.

Integration programs The state sponsored integration programs are at the core of the integration measures for adult immigrants.In addition to the general integration programs (600 hours of language course, 100 hours of orientation course), there are

additional programs with the focus on literacy, women, parents, young people and young adults.

Roughly 340,00 people attended the Integration Programs in 2016 (2015: 180,000). Syrian refugees making up the largest contingent.

The integration of refugees will become an important social and political task in the coming years in Germany.

Central to this is the integration into the labor market, which enables people to live independently.

Make up attendees of the German Integration Programs, 2016

Integration Coaching German authorities are providing funding for more ‘IntegrationCoaches’. The training program for integration coaches is aimed at professionals who are active in the areas of career preparation, career counselling, and job placement for refugees and migrants.

The shortcomings in the integration are therefore difficult and can only be corrected with great effort. One particular poor example that Germany does not wish to replicate is France. France failed majorly in integrating its North African citizens and migrants.

The ChallengeThe integration of migrants in Germany poses major challenges. The Germans as people who are hosts, helpers, supporters, sometimes also critics. The authorities, the state and, of course, the migrants themselves, who have to find their way first.

This will take time. And Patience. Lots of it.

The AuthorMarkus is a Financial Professional, specializing in Process Improvement and Financial Reporting.

He also works on a voluntary basis to improve Financial Literacy for Indigenous People In New Zealand.

Contact Markusemail info@certo.net.nzphone 0064 27 973 2236