To ensure that differences in where people come from do not lead to social and economic inequalities, Germany needs to reshape its integration policy. In its 2021 Annual Report, the Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) offers recommendations on strengthening political and labour market participation for migrants.
Berlin, 06 May 2021. The forthcoming federal elections in Germany in September... More ...
For years, the refugee camps on the Greek islands have been overcrowded. Residents are subject to precarious and insecure living conditions and lack basic services. Contrary to the original expectations regarding these “hotspots” and the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement, they have not led to swift asylum procedures and returns. The scientific staff of the Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR)... More ...
Many young newcomers have a hard time negotiating the maze of courses, entry requirements and necessary proof of qualification in their target countries before they embark on vocational education and training (VET) – or give up. That serves neither their host societies nor the newcomers themselves. The Research Unit of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration... More ...
A Joint Endeavour: Shaping Migration from Africa to Europe
In its Annual Report 2020, the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR) focuses for the first time on Africa. The African Union/European Union Africa Summits, the G20 Compact with Africa investor conference and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 show the increasing importance of Africa in world politics. On... More ...
Berlin, 22 October 2019. While the European Union has called on Member States to expand channels for foreign workers as a way to meet labour market needs and potentially tackle spontaneous migration, they have struggled to deliver on this pledge. To date, policies have focused more on attracting high-skilled workers, but less attention has been paid to admission of low-... More ...
Berlin, 24 September 2019. More students than ever before are studying for a degree in Germany. Nonetheless, one in six of the country’s 263 public universities and universities of applied sciences are shrinking. The reason is demographic change. Low birth rates and the depopulation of certain regions of Germany mean that the number of domestic students is declining in some... More ...
A lot done, a lot more to do: Mainstreaming social participation, promoting skilled worker immigration and refugee integration
The 2019 Annual Report of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration takes stock of developments in relation to integration and migration over the past few years. Actions taken in these fields focused on asylum and refugee policy. The guiding... More ...
New SVR Annual Report: What can immigration and integration laws do to better steer migration and promote integration?
The SVR Annual Report 2018 explores the legislative possibilities for steering migration and promoting the social participation of all. It summarises the existing legal situation at the national and EU levels and points to political fields of action as well as the limits... More ...
Refugee Integration: Use Standard Structures, Not Special Programmes A Fresh Start for EU Refugee Policy: More Europe, and A Different Europe
SVR’s 2017 Annual Report outlines proposals for further development of EU refugee policy. Tiered model for EU-wide rights of free movement for recognised refugees as a way to distribute responsibility fairly in the EU. Closer cooperation with transit countries is... More ...
“All Rights for Everyone”: the German policy of positive neutrality toward religion has proven successful at fostering integration, but questions remain
The SVR’s 2016 Annual Report looks at religious diversity in Germany as an immigration country and the resulting institutional, political and legal challenges. Equal institutional treatment of Islam is on the right track, but there are still open issues. The... More ...
The Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR) presents guidelines for refugee policy in Europe. The current refugee crisis requires a fair system of refugee distribution with the involvement of every EU Member State. This also includes the introduction of a permanent distribution mechanism which is mandatory for all Member States.
Berlin, 15 September 2015. As a... More ...
In its Annual Report, now out in English, the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR) compares Germany’s migration and integration policies with the policies of selected EU countries as well as with traditional immigration countries such as Canada and the USA. In its recommendations for action, the SVR advocates fair burden-sharing in the EU: collective reception... More ...
Hamburg, March 2018. An estimated 130,000 young refugees have been absorbed into the German school system since 2015. Most lack sufficient knowledge of German, many have missed one or more years of school and some have been traumatised by war and their refugee journey. Many of the young refugees living in larger cities go to so-called ‘segregated schools.’ (In Germany, the term ‘segregated school’ is generally used to refer to schools in which first-and second-generation migrants make up the majority of the student population.) The education of refugee children and adolescents puts schools and education policy to the test: How can these kids be successfully integrated into the German school system? What concepts in the schooling of young refugees have been successful? What kind of support are teachers asking of school administrations and of policies governing schools? Last but not least, how might we ensure over the long term that refugee children can achieve academic success and exploit their potential? … More
