A brief summary of the Refugee situation during a trip to Berlin Germany 2017

1. Refugees in Germany – Problem or
Opportunity?
August 5, 2017 | Markus Schwarzer

2. 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.

3. 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 of
refugees lining up and hope for asylum.
The composition of Asylum Seekers in
Germany, 2016

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Integration Coaching
German authorities are providing funding for more ‘Integration
Coaches’. 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 Challenge
The 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.

9. The Author
Markus 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 Markus
email info@certo.net.nz
phone 0064 27 973 2236