This thesis examines the current process of refugee integration in Germany. It aims at finding out, how it will be possible for Germany to successfully integrate the high number of asylum seekers, particularly from the Middle East, that have arrived here since Angela Merkel’s decision of suspending the Dublin Regulations and opening Germany’s borders to refugees in late summer of 2015. In order to do so, this thesis first seeks to develop a better understanding of the concept of integration through presenting Hartmut Esser’s sociological integration theory. While previous research offers a range of theoretical works within migration and integration research, there is a lack of adequate literature analyzing the present integration process in Germany, due to the topicality of the subject. As the integration of refugees will significantly shape Germany’s sociopolitical future during the upcoming years, it is hoped that this paper can contribute to bridging this gap by creating a first evaluation of the current circumstances. For this, a content analysis of the existing sources has been combined with the results of a small-scale field study, in which ten Germans have been interviewed, conveying their expectations and worries with regard to the integration of refugees. The findings of this research have given insight into the obstacles that Germany faces with regard to efficiently integrating the newly arrived refugees. It is, first and foremost, the lengthy bureaucratic procedures and the lack of an adequate integrative infrastructure that presently impede integration processes. An increasing dissatisfaction with the government’s unstructured plan of action has further given way to a tense atmosphere among the German population. Moreover, Germany’s perception of nationhood is, up until today, largely based on an ethnic concept. Together with the country’s past reluctancy to accept its status as an immigration country, these factors constitute a hampering environment for the ongoing integration of refugees. Yet, the analysis of the interviews has displayed a partly shared understanding of the concept of integration among the German population, in which especially tolerance and mutual efforts are valued most. In view of the fact that Germans have previously shown great willingness to receive refugees, these results give reason for hope. In the near future, it will become of crucial importance that the German government creates a thorough strategy, in which measures to strengthen integration are clearly described. It is only through fast and concrete actions, which allow room for flexibility, that infrastructural omissions can be compensated and the population’s trust in a successful outcome can be renewed. Finally, it will be necessary that future research takes into account the voices of refugees themselves in order to generate a more complex understanding of how successful integration can look like in Germany.

BACKGROUND: On World TB Day 2016, CDC reported an increase in number of US tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2015, the first time in 23 years. TB is the largest cause of mortality from any bacterial disease worldwide, with 95% of cases and deaths in low and middle-income countries, where it remains endemic. The recent increase in US TB cases highlights the fact that TB is a global issue, thus requiring a global effort to achieve elimination, with particular focus on active TB and Latent TB Infection (LTBI) identification and treatment among populations at high risk. The refugee population requires particular attention, considering TB disproportionately afflicts refugees and there are more refugees worldwide today than in the past 20 years. Georgia is among the top 10 US states for refugee arrivals, with majority resettling in DeKalb County, approximately 90% in 2010. There is a lack of data on TB rates among these populations and effects of implementation of the 2007 expanded CDC Technical Instructions on imported TB and LTBI reactivation. OBJECTIVES: (1) Estimate and compare TB disease incidence rates among refugee, other foreign-born, and US-born populations in DeKalb County from 2004 to 2015 (2) Determine refugee TB case contribution to total DeKalb County TB case burden (3) Examine possible trends in number of cases diagnosed ≤ 6 months of US entry, among refugee and other foreign-born persons screened overseas before and after implementation of 2007 expanded CDC Technical Instructions. METHODS: Retrospective study on all new TB cases diagnosed in DeKalb County during 2004-2015. Due to the lack of data on refugee population estimates along with the dynamic nature of this population, three different annual incidence rates were calculated for refugees and other FB. Participant characteristics were compared using chi-square tests and univariate analyses to identify significant differences between groups. Logistic regression was used to model change in number of TB diagnoses ≤ 6 months of US entry against implementation status (pre vs. post) and immigration status (refugee vs. other-FB). RESULTS: From 2004 to 2015, a total of 898 active TB cases were diagnosed in DeKalb County; 569 total foreign-born (144 refugees and 425 other foreign-born) and 329 US-born. Age, race/ethnicity, TB verification type, HIV status, and previous TB diagnosis were found to have significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Throughout the study period, the highest TB incidence rate was among refugees followed by other FB, and drastically lower rates among US-born. There were significantly more diagnoses ≤ 6 months of US entry among post vs pre-implementation, OR: 2.784 (95% CI: 1.683 – 4.606). Refugee vs. other-FB, OR: 5.103 (95% CI: 3.085 – 8.442). Majority of cases with prior B1 classification (83.6%) were diagnosed ≤ 6 of US entry, which is considered to be possible imported TB, While (90.9%) persons with Class B2, although few, were diagnosed ≤ 6 months of US entry, which suggests possible LTBI reactivation. DISCUSSION: Although TB cases and rates have decreased in DeKalb County over the years, particularly among US-born persons, the foreign-born population remains disproportionately afflicted, with majority of county disease burden, over 70% in 2015. Refugee TB rates in DeKalb County are more comparable to rates in high TB incidence low and middle-income countries rather than US rates. Imported TB and LTBI activation may be major factors involved in the stagnation of progression towards TB elimination. Efforts need to refocus on LTBI identification and treatment to tackle the global issue of TB.

A sense of social belonging is an important factor for integration. The different experiences that immigrants face towards social integration were of major interest to the authors. The authors conducted a qualitative study based on the experiences that immigrants went through as well as their perceptions of social integration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four immigrants, ranging between 31- 42 years of age. The themes found during the analytic process were: Swedish language, social networks and information, identifying yourself and culture. The most important findings were that social workers and other persons in authorities were important for establishing contacts with native-born, as they introduced them to activities that led to interaction with native Swedish. Social activities, in particular, seemed to play an important role in establishing contact with native-born and creating a social network.

No description available.

This study explores the disconnection that exists between refugee policy developers and those whom they intend to benefit by bringing the voices of refugees and their supporters into community discussions on policies and practices that directly affect the refugee resettlement experience. The purpose of their involvement was to help ensure that resettlement activities were relevant to their needs. In an effort to make the findings as generalizable as possible, the researcher applied techniques of Participatory Action Research (Carr & Kemmis, 1986) within a Grounded Theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) methodological framework. Community consultations involving a total of 86 refugees, refugee claimants and their supporters in three cities were conducted during the period that Canada was responding to post-9/11 concerns for national security with its first implementation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Findings from those consultations were triangulated with data from interviews with 29 service providers, government officials and individual refugees, as well as documentary evidence from scholarly research, government publications and mass media sources. Implications for further policy development were then developed from that process. Findings from the research suggest that the potential for unexpected policy outcomes can be reduced if culturally sensitive community consultations, in the preferred language of the community, are incorporated in policy development and implementation processes. These findings can contribute to building local community capacities to increase the effectiveness of resettlement activities and improving their sustainability by inviting those who have the most to benefit take ownership of them.

Resilience is a phenomenon that results from strong and well-protected adaptation systems. It is not a one-dimensional quality that either one has or does not have but is instead the possession of many skills and resources at different times and to varying degrees. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of three resilient refugee children regarding what they felt contributed to their positive adaptation after facing adversity. This study examined how the participants understood the variables inherent in parenting and the new social milieu (e.g. friends, the mosque or church, community agencies supporting refugees, school and community involvement, involvement in sport) promoted their resilience. <p>Three nine to twelve year old refugee children identified as resilient by their teachers were each interviewed three times at their school. Data analysis consisted of developing qualitative themes and patterns from the interviews. These themes and patterns were categorized using the constant comparative method.<p>This study supports and extends the existing understanding of the factors that contribute to resilience in school-age children. The children in this study perceived their families, their friends, and their teachers as protective factors in their positive adjustment following adversity. The vital role of the community coordinator in their school as a person who could facilitate their involvement in school and community events became evident. In addition, this study highlights the role of sport as a contributing factor to resilience. Involvement in sports appears to serve as a buffer against the vulnerabilities of resettlement in a new country for some refugee children. Further research on the importance of sport for children with refugee status would be beneficial for expanding our understanding of resilience, and would have implications for school and community programming.<p>As Canadian society becomes increasingly diverse, the need to discover the processes contributing to resilience in individuals with a wide range of cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds takes on greater importance. It is hoped that discovering the factors that help refugee children to develop resilience will create a deeper understanding of the processes involved for other children.

Resilience is a phenomenon that results from strong and well-protected adaptation systems. It is not a one-dimensional quality that either one has or does not have but is instead the possession of many skills and resources at different times and to varying degrees. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of three resilient refugee children regarding what they felt contributed to their positive adaptation after facing adversity. This study examined how the participants understood the variables inherent in parenting and the new social milieu (e.g. friends, the mosque or church, community agencies supporting refugees, school and community involvement, involvement in sport) promoted their resilience. <p>Three nine to twelve year old refugee children identified as resilient by their teachers were each interviewed three times at their school. Data analysis consisted of developing qualitative themes and patterns from the interviews. These themes and patterns were categorized using the constant comparative method.<p>This study supports and extends the existing understanding of the factors that contribute to resilience in school-age children. The children in this study perceived their families, their friends, and their teachers as protective factors in their positive adjustment following adversity. The vital role of the community coordinator in their school as a person who could facilitate their involvement in school and community events became evident. In addition, this study highlights the role of sport as a contributing factor to resilience. Involvement in sports appears to serve as a buffer against the vulnerabilities of resettlement in a new country for some refugee children. Further research on the importance of sport for children with refugee status would be beneficial for expanding our understanding of resilience, and would have implications for school and community programming.<p>As Canadian society becomes increasingly diverse, the need to discover the processes contributing to resilience in individuals with a wide range of cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds takes on greater importance. It is hoped that discovering the factors that help refugee children to develop resilience will create a deeper understanding of the processes involved for other children.

This study explores the disconnection that exists between refugee policy developers and those whom they intend to benefit by bringing the voices of refugees and their supporters into community discussions on policies and practices that directly affect the refugee resettlement experience. The purpose of their involvement was to help ensure that resettlement activities were relevant to their needs. In an effort to make the findings as generalizable as possible, the researcher applied techniques of Participatory Action Research (Carr & Kemmis, 1986) within a Grounded Theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) methodological framework. Community consultations involving a total of 86 refugees, refugee claimants and their supporters in three cities were conducted during the period that Canada was responding to post-9/11 concerns for national security with its first implementation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Findings from those consultations were triangulated with data from interviews with 29 service providers, government officials and individual refugees, as well as documentary evidence from scholarly research, government publications and mass media sources. Implications for further policy development were then developed from that process. Findings from the research suggest that the potential for unexpected policy outcomes can be reduced if culturally sensitive community consultations, in the preferred language of the community, are incorporated in policy development and implementation processes. These findings can contribute to building local community capacities to increase the effectiveness of resettlement activities and improving their sustainability by inviting those who have the most to benefit take ownership of them.

Despite a thirty year protracted refugee situation in Thailand, little data exists regarding the traditional weaving of the Karen refugee women from Burma. Through semi-structured interviews, participant observation and photography, this study explores the meaning of weaving for Karen refugee women as they transition from their villages in Burma to Thai refugee camps and eventually into resettlement in Canada. The analysis stresses the importance of context in the formation of meaning and purpose from weaving. The findings suggest interdependency between weaver, the weaving and context. As the weavers leave Burma, the purpose for weaving is transitioned from the making of clothing for community belonging, self-sufficiency, and cultural identification, into a means of generating income and filling time in Thailand. Third country resettlement continues the story of weaving further still, suggesting diminished purpose and meaning, leaving the future of Karen weaving uncertain in Canada.

No description available.