Culture Bridge in Hagenow: Key to the integration of migrants!

Culture Bridge in Hagenow: Key to the integration of migrants!

A remarkable center has been established in Hagenow in the last twelve months: the Kulturenbrücke. This international meeting center is a real contact point for migrants from various countries, especially from Syria and Ukraine. It offers everything from advice to an open café to voluntary homework help for the children of asylum seekers and a variety of courses and events. Loud Northern Courier The head of the Kulturenbrücke, Katja Huenges, shows that many migrants are highly qualified, but their qualifications are often not recognized in this country.

The center receives political support from left-wing politicians who are committed to the social significance of the project. In particular, Heike Scholz, a district councilor, emphasizes the growing need for skilled workers in areas such as schools and healthcare. However, in order to be able to work as a career changer in the German labor market, migrants have to complete a C1 language course - a major hurdle, as Scholz critically notes. From their point of view, the requirements are often excessive. Instead, she suggests employing migrants in their familiar professional fields to improve language skills more efficiently.

Hurdles to integration

However, integrating refugees is extremely challenging. Germany is not only faced with a shortage of skilled workers, but many refugees also have difficulty entering the job market. Several factors play a role, such as: Mittelrhein-Tageblatt reported. Language barriers, bureaucratic hurdles and the lengthy recognition of foreign qualifications are all factors that make entering the job market extremely difficult. Migrants often have to wait months for a place on a language course, as the waiting times for integration courses are considerable.

Overall, around 50% of refugees in Germany have been able to find employment since 2015, but many of them work below their qualification level. The recognition of qualifications is usually a lengthy process that can take years. These bureaucratic hurdles ensure that practical unskilled jobs often remain the only option.

Driving change

In order to counteract these challenges, solutions that can be implemented quickly are required: the introduction of more flexible language courses and digital offerings as well as the simplification of recognition procedures and work permits are essential. Implementing mentoring programs could also help make practice integration faster and smoother.

The MPs Ina Latendorf and Steffi Pulz-Debler recognize the urgency of these issues. Latendorf calls for more opportunities for encounters between foreigners and Germans in order to promote dialogue. Pulz-Debler, however, points out that not all Germans are interested in intercultural exchange and emphasizes how important it is to introduce migrants to the German way of life through schools, sports clubs and cultural institutions.

Overall, it is clear that with an open perspective and innovative approaches, the way for the successful integration of migrants into society and the labor market can be paved. The Kulturbrücke in Hagenow could play a pioneering role here.