Current Challenges in the Integration of Migrants
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Current Challenges in the Integration of Migrants in the Czech Republic: Diversity as Concept, or Practice? Mgr. Blanka Tollarová, PhD. Dept. of Management and Supervision, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University 23 5 2016 Ambiguous
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01
Current Challenges in the Integration of Migrants in the Czech Republic: Diversity as Concept, or Practice? Mgr. Blanka Tollarová, PhD.
Dept. of Management and Supervision, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University 23| 5 | 2016<br>
Dept. of Management and Supervision, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University 23| 5 | 2016<br>
02
Ambiguous Legacy of Czech History: Ethnic Homogeneity Current Challenge = Integration, Heterogeneity, Diversity
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Constant Legitimization of Ethnic Homogenenity Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
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Constant Legitimization of Ethnic Homogenenity Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
03
Ambiguous Legacy of Czech History: Ethnic Homogeneity Ethnic Homogeneity – How it Came About?
Strong narrative of the Czech National Revival Movement – „the War between the Czechs and the Germans“
Expulsion of Germans after World War II
Long-term marginalization of the Roma
Very specific position of very small amount of migrants during the communist era – total control in almost all aspects of their life
=> homogeneity is a norm, the „other“ people are not integrated and preferably live under control, their status is not comparable to that of majority Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
Strong narrative of the Czech National Revival Movement – „the War between the Czechs and the Germans“
Expulsion of Germans after World War II
Long-term marginalization of the Roma
Very specific position of very small amount of migrants during the communist era – total control in almost all aspects of their life
=> homogeneity is a norm, the „other“ people are not integrated and preferably live under control, their status is not comparable to that of majority Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
04
Current Challenge: Integration and Diversity Integration into the EU
„open“ borders and migration to and from the Czech Republic
=> to find a way to redefine the self-image of Czech society to enable long-term cohabitation of the majority with the migrants
=> a clear integration policy should define long-term, well-conceived and managed approach to migration and integration issues
establish transparent and realistic criteria for entry and residence of migrants
define Czech society as cohesive, friendly and ready for cultural diversity
clearly define the core values of our society and give migrants and Czech citizens a clear idea of the conditions and opportunities of mutual coexistence
systematically create and support efficient tools for the structural and civic integration of the entire population - both Czechs and migrants Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
„open“ borders and migration to and from the Czech Republic
=> to find a way to redefine the self-image of Czech society to enable long-term cohabitation of the majority with the migrants
=> a clear integration policy should define long-term, well-conceived and managed approach to migration and integration issues
establish transparent and realistic criteria for entry and residence of migrants
define Czech society as cohesive, friendly and ready for cultural diversity
clearly define the core values of our society and give migrants and Czech citizens a clear idea of the conditions and opportunities of mutual coexistence
systematically create and support efficient tools for the structural and civic integration of the entire population - both Czechs and migrants Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
05
Integration of Foreigners (Migrants): Brief History 2008 – Responsibility for the Foreigners Integration Concept transferred back to the Ministry of the Interior
Since 2015 lobbying for involving of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to the integration of migrants
=> attempts to divide residence permissions, security issues and border protection agenda from the integration agenda Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants 1989 – Fundamental change of the social system; opening of borders resulting in stronger and more diversified migration flows
1990s – Integration of foreigners administered by the Ministry of the Interior
Relations among communities (no integration concept)
1999 – Integration of foreigners becomes a part of the government’s policy
Foreigners’ Integration Concept
Programme for Refugees Integration
2004 – Responsibility for the implementation and coordination of the Foreigners Integration Concept transferred to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs<br>
Since 2015 lobbying for involving of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to the integration of migrants
=> attempts to divide residence permissions, security issues and border protection agenda from the integration agenda Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants 1989 – Fundamental change of the social system; opening of borders resulting in stronger and more diversified migration flows
1990s – Integration of foreigners administered by the Ministry of the Interior
Relations among communities (no integration concept)
1999 – Integration of foreigners becomes a part of the government’s policy
Foreigners’ Integration Concept
Programme for Refugees Integration
2004 – Responsibility for the implementation and coordination of the Foreigners Integration Concept transferred to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs<br>
06
Key Differences Ministry of the Interior: Protection and Security the migration and integration of migrants are perceived as a technical and one-dimensional security problem
strategies leading to exclusion or marginalization of the migrants
no specific strategies to work with the majority – public and professionals building and developing cohesive society whose members have access to common resources (legal residence, work, access to health insurance, learning Czech language...) and their access to the resources is protected (combating labour exploitation, promotion of legality of stay, availability of educational activities and information)
building the intercultural capacity of all the citizens of the Czech Republic – migrants and majority
trying to reduce fear of the members of majority by creating clear and understandable integration system for all Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs: integration tools Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
strategies leading to exclusion or marginalization of the migrants
no specific strategies to work with the majority – public and professionals building and developing cohesive society whose members have access to common resources (legal residence, work, access to health insurance, learning Czech language...) and their access to the resources is protected (combating labour exploitation, promotion of legality of stay, availability of educational activities and information)
building the intercultural capacity of all the citizens of the Czech Republic – migrants and majority
trying to reduce fear of the members of majority by creating clear and understandable integration system for all Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs: integration tools Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
07
Migration Trends in 2015 Approx. 460 000 of legally residing migrants (260 000 with permanent residence permit)
1 500 asylum applications – 470 people granted some form of international protection
Refugees from Syria effectively discouraged from entering the country in summer 2015 => only a few refugees kept in detention centres for migrants
=> stable situation with traditional migrants from Ukraine and Vietnam
=> migrants = 4,5 % of total population
=> third country nationals = 2,6 % of total population Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
1 500 asylum applications – 470 people granted some form of international protection
Refugees from Syria effectively discouraged from entering the country in summer 2015 => only a few refugees kept in detention centres for migrants
=> stable situation with traditional migrants from Ukraine and Vietnam
=> migrants = 4,5 % of total population
=> third country nationals = 2,6 % of total population Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
08
Migrants in the Czech Republic 467 562 migrants
(31/12/2015)
long-term stay + visas:
206 009 persons
permanent residence:
261 553 persons Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
(31/12/2015)
long-term stay + visas:
206 009 persons
permanent residence:
261 553 persons Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
09
Current Integration Issues - Migrants disadvantaged position of some groups of immigrants in Czech society – weak structural integration
labour market position - labour rights violations, structural exclusion
access to social protection - the absence of relevant support of the elderly that are not entitled to receive a pension, restricted access for migrants with a long-term permit to public health insurance
language barrier – spoken language, information only in Czech
insufficient socio-cultural orientation, limited access to local institutions, social barriers (expatriate networks)
conflicts on the local level - the rise of hostile sentiments in places of higher concentrations of migrants Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
labour market position - labour rights violations, structural exclusion
access to social protection - the absence of relevant support of the elderly that are not entitled to receive a pension, restricted access for migrants with a long-term permit to public health insurance
language barrier – spoken language, information only in Czech
insufficient socio-cultural orientation, limited access to local institutions, social barriers (expatriate networks)
conflicts on the local level - the rise of hostile sentiments in places of higher concentrations of migrants Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
10
Current Integration Issues - Majority rise of xenophobia and fear of migrants caused by exaggeration of the refugee crisis in the media
almost zero refugees from Syria in the Czech Republic – people are still alarmed, hostile response
Czech politicians refuse to cooperate with EU in the refugee crisis
some Czech politicians explicitly support the anti-refugee moods
the anti-refugee attitudes could affect all the (non-European) migrants
lack of supporting tools for professional groups working with migrants
teachers – no or not centrally distributed guides for teachers, for the parents of students on different levels of educational system, no systematic and available language support for the students
nurses and GPs – low intercultural competence
only slowly developing system of community interpreting Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
almost zero refugees from Syria in the Czech Republic – people are still alarmed, hostile response
Czech politicians refuse to cooperate with EU in the refugee crisis
some Czech politicians explicitly support the anti-refugee moods
the anti-refugee attitudes could affect all the (non-European) migrants
lack of supporting tools for professional groups working with migrants
teachers – no or not centrally distributed guides for teachers, for the parents of students on different levels of educational system, no systematic and available language support for the students
nurses and GPs – low intercultural competence
only slowly developing system of community interpreting Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
11
Current Integration Issues – Government no defined goals of the integration process, no systematic monitoring system
frequent uncertainties within the integration system
the integration is not managed; it is coordinated or happens in the system of central and regional projects (funded by EU funds)
problems with discontinuity of funding, problems with coverage, problems with sustainability of integration measures
the system is confusing not only for immigrants but also for all system actors: municipalities, education and other public institutions, employers, etc.
very few practical tools for the integration
little support in the inclusion of migrant school children and of teaching of Czech as a foreign language; insufficient or no tools for healthcare workers or civil servants
lack of relevant data and analysis, including a lack of systematic evaluation of integration measures on the level of programs and projects Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
frequent uncertainties within the integration system
the integration is not managed; it is coordinated or happens in the system of central and regional projects (funded by EU funds)
problems with discontinuity of funding, problems with coverage, problems with sustainability of integration measures
the system is confusing not only for immigrants but also for all system actors: municipalities, education and other public institutions, employers, etc.
very few practical tools for the integration
little support in the inclusion of migrant school children and of teaching of Czech as a foreign language; insufficient or no tools for healthcare workers or civil servants
lack of relevant data and analysis, including a lack of systematic evaluation of integration measures on the level of programs and projects Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
12
Effects on Diversity the Czech society is perceived as homogeneous – therefore, it is a major challenge to try to think Czech society as one that is diversified, pluralistic, and yet coherent
Diversity could be one of the goals of the integration process
Theoretically, the integration documents are based on the statements on cultivation of the relationships between the majority and the migrants, on increasing respect and mutual understanding of the differences or combating all forms of discrimination
The documents are ultimately aimed at promoting diversity. Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
Diversity could be one of the goals of the integration process
Theoretically, the integration documents are based on the statements on cultivation of the relationships between the majority and the migrants, on increasing respect and mutual understanding of the differences or combating all forms of discrimination
The documents are ultimately aimed at promoting diversity. Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
13
Effects on Diversity In practice, however, such measures are not taken
the target group of the integration process are only migrants – the documents do not work with the majority – the two groups remain separated, even in the integration documents
the information or educational campaigns or activities that would provide the public with information on migration and migrants and their cultures are very rare
the respect for migrants is not supported - on the contrary, the migrants are often portrayed as a burden to the Czech labour market, to the social security system (although they are not always entitled to benefit from the system), and as a danger for Czech or European culture
It is a tight fight to ensure that migrants are not discriminated – they are often systematically excluded from certain areas of life in a very discriminatory manner (participation in public healthcare insurance system, unavailability of public services due to language barriers – Labour office services) Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
the target group of the integration process are only migrants – the documents do not work with the majority – the two groups remain separated, even in the integration documents
the information or educational campaigns or activities that would provide the public with information on migration and migrants and their cultures are very rare
the respect for migrants is not supported - on the contrary, the migrants are often portrayed as a burden to the Czech labour market, to the social security system (although they are not always entitled to benefit from the system), and as a danger for Czech or European culture
It is a tight fight to ensure that migrants are not discriminated – they are often systematically excluded from certain areas of life in a very discriminatory manner (participation in public healthcare insurance system, unavailability of public services due to language barriers – Labour office services) Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
14
Conclusion As a result of the „refugee crisis“ (there is no real refugee crisis in the Czech Republic) the very slow process of the integration process improvement has almost stopped
no political support, hesitation, weak public support
policy of „closing the door“
The diversity as a goal has always been a difficult challenge for Czech society – today, it’s got even more difficult to achieve. Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
no political support, hesitation, weak public support
policy of „closing the door“
The diversity as a goal has always been a difficult challenge for Czech society – today, it’s got even more difficult to achieve. Contemporary challenges for the integration of migrants<br>
15
Thank you for your attention Blanka Tollarová<br>