Integrationsberatung
In Oldenburg integration is top priority! What exactly does the integration officer of the city of Oldenburg do? Of course, I can not answer that question with one sentence. That's because of the complexity of my job. I am responsible for all matters relating to the integration of immigrants and their children. It is also in my task spectrum to promote a culture of tolerance and acceptance in the city of Oldenburg. Integration processes include not only the efforts of migrants themselves to achieve specific goals that will enable them to confidently operate and participate in that city, but also to be given opportunities to do so. This is a wheel that has to be turned in many places. That means public relations work for this topic in order to achieve a change of perspective and to knock on relevant points in order to sensitize them to the difficulties of migrants. Thematically, my area is very complex, it affects all areas of life that are crucial when it comes to people with a migrant background feel part of society and in principle also have the same opportunities to participate. And there is still a lot to do! Thematically, my area is very complex, it affects all areas of life that are crucial when it comes to people with a migrant background feel part of society and in principle also have the same opportunities to participate. And there is still a lot to do! Let us come to the concept of integration. He is a very complex and multifaceted term. Nor is it clearly defined in the social sciences, and society has different ideas about its meaning. Is there a specific definition of integration for you? What is integration, the way you understand it? For me, integration is first and foremost about having opportunities to participate. This means that I can actually use the potentials and resources I bring. That I am given the opportunities, and that they are promoted too. But the first step is to realize this first. As a result, I achieve educational qualifications that give me financial independence. That's the key criterion for integration for me. Everything else derives in principle from it. Unfortunately, the most important problem for migrants is that for different reasons they still can not achieve the same educational attainment and that they can not or should not do the same jobs as natives. This causes financial problems. So it is about an equal participation of people with and without a migration background! How can this be achieved? Yes, in principle through structures that ensure equity in the education and training system. That's always the problem. As a municipality, we have limited influence on the education system. But we can try to create framework conditions, that maybe schools just go different ways. Of course, that depends very much on the financial conditions. In any case, we want to create conditions within the framework of our possibilities that promote participation opportunities and thus equal opportunities, especially in the education system. This is a very important element of integration policy for me. For me this also includes the vocational training system, the transition from school to education or from school to university. And among adults in the field of integration into the labor market. I think especially of the women, who play a very important role in the integration process. If we give women the opportunity to speak sufficient German first, and then find their way into the job market according to their needs and talents, that would be very good. It's not all that unrealistic, but it just assumes you have to think a little bit innovatively and across the board. Unfortunately, discrimination and racism are still social reality in our society. How is this handled? So it is crucial, I think, that first of all, those affected are encouraged again and again to address this openly and to turn to the respective sites. For example, we have an anti-discrimination office at IBIS eV. I do not know if everyone knows that. Of course, I also point out such possibilities when people approach me or when I hear something. The General Equal Treatment Act is already a step in the right direction. It says that one should not be discriminated against because of his origin, his skin color and his ethnicity, and above all things legal. However, one must first encourage people to publicize such incidents, to have the courage to complain, to make it clear that it does not happen that often. For example, some time ago, colored people were not allowed into an Oldenburg nightclub. And these are things that should not happen. That's why this has to be discussed in public. So that everyone involved is aware that something like that should not just be swept under the table. If people are dismissed because of their background or skin color, then this is in any case a violation of existing laws. I naturally hope that migrants are able to take legal action against it. That such companies just know that they can not get away with it. While this, of course, is a very tough process for those affected, it would also give others the courage to do the same. And of course I can only appeal from the city side and raise awareness in discussions. Of course, what happens in the housing market or on the job market, I can not regulate in detail. We can not influence a city as a private entity. Ultimately, we have to see for ourselves how we deal with applicants with a migrant background. As part of an intercultural opening process such as job advertisements, we now have the sentence that we appreciate diversity and multilingualism, and we look forward to welcoming and encouraging applicants who contribute to it. And I am involved in recruitment procedures of the city. This is, so to speak, the set screw, where we can actually do something ourselves on the topic of intercultural openness, and thus want to assume a role model function. Whereby the biggest companies have long understood, they do not have to say that anymore. How can it be promoted that citizens with a migration background have contacts with Germans? This is, I think, above all something that can most likely happen at district level, at the level of the neighborhood. Therefore, I always argue in favor of initiating projects to try at district level, ie to include the socio-spatial aspect. This means finding people on the neighborhood level who are enthusiastic and initiate projects, all of which profit in the same way. In the process, the identification with the district will be strengthened and interethnic contacts can develop as a result. The intercultural gardens are a project in which we try to get people from different backgrounds to participate in the gardens and talk to each other through this work in the gardens, at the neighborhood level. We now have these gardens in Blankenburg, Bloherfelde and Kennedyviertel. In Ohmstede, there is something in the way of the residents. Particularly important is the education sector and thus especially the concerns of the second and third generation? What projects are there in this area? Among elementary school children, we initiated the Education Mentors project. We have now achieved really nice results. Since we have found many Oldenburgers who are committed to it. And then, in education, we have the big project "Kommunale Bildungslandschaft". As a municipality, we end up trying to change structures in the education system in such a way that, in fact, equity is given and there are more all-day offers as a destination, from which many children with a migrant background can benefit. What do you think about the current debates and discussions about migration and integration in Germany? So, unfortunately we are still with the question in Germany: Are we an immigration country or not? And I find that more than astonishing, if one now assumes that we really have many migrants in Germany, and most municipalities also have a migrant share of at least 15%. That is, migration and integration is no longer a marginal phenomenon for larger cities, but it is common to observe. Therefore, the question is no longer whether we are an immigration country or not. Well, in fact, we no longer have the big influx to Germany, because we have a very restrictive immigration policy. But, I think, we still have not set the traffic light on green, in the sense of: We are a country that must now slowly but surely adapt to the fact that it depends on immigration. Accordingly, we need to create structures for migrants that will make them feel comfortable and happy to come here and willing to seize the opportunities they are offered. And I mean, it is important that language courses are then also perceived and offers that help integration. But that's the case with most people. I myself am not aware of any migrants who are happy that they do not understand or are permanently unemployed. Unfortunately, we still have this picture in our heads, they come here and do not really want to. And that is unhappy! And all these debates around Sarrazin, that's poison for the social climate, and poison for the relationship of trust between Germans and migrants. Where is Oldenburg in terms of integration? Does the city have an integration concept? We have developed an integration concept that was unanimously adopted by the Council, which was a real success. At this point, I just have to praise the individual factions, because everyone agreed that it is an important topic for the city. Of course, there was a lot of discussion about this concept in the various committees, and it has always been changed. Finally, the Council adopted it unanimously. And that is, I think, an important outward signal that a city like Oldenburg has a concept and vision on integration, which also reflects that we want to see migration as a positive signal and to encourage migrants. In April, we also had the Federal Conference of the Integration Officer here in Oldenburg in April. As a result, we were able to signal that integration is not a marginal issue for us. It is also very important that our Lord Mayor repeatedly explain how important the topic is to him and that it is one of his guiding themes. That's why there is also the staff office for integration. My position is directly assigned to the Lord Mayor, ie there is a direct organizational connection to him. Of course this is very beneficial for this topic. In Oldenburg, therefore, one also says integration is a matter for the boss. In doing so, we are equal to many municipalities that are considered progressive. So we do not have to hide. But we really have a lot to do in terms of education, training and the labor market.
