Social integration points for refugees

Since the so-called "refugee crisis" of 2015, politicians and the public have been debating how to manage the immigration of refugees to Germany and their integration. This debate is shaped by two narratives: a right-wing narrative that sees immigration as a threat of cultural, religious, and ethnic foreign infiltration as well as an economic burden on Germany and refers to the unity of the nation state. But also a left-wing narrative that insists on social openness as a humanitarian imperative and sees immigration as cultural enrichment and economic opportunity. In both debates, immigration and integration are discussed as challenges that must be addressed by tightening or relaxing asylum legislation. However, this debate hardly touches on how, where, and under what specific conditions refugees actually encounter society in practice, or how integration actually takes place in concrete terms on the ground.

This is where the DFG research project "Social Docking Points for Refugees" comes in. In discussions with experts from various docking points, the project takes a detailed look at the processes, problems, and questions that arise when refugees "come into contact" with society. The project is particularly interested in medical care in doctors' offices, administration in government agencies and authorities, the educational work of teachers in schools, cooperation with refugees in companies, and artistic work in theater and dance projects.