A diverse country
Although Germany traditionally is not considered a Land of Immigrants, trends in its recent history have brought about a steady increase in the presence of different cultures and languages inside the country. From its earliest guest worker program, the numbers of foreigners making their home in Germany has been on the rise. Turkish, Italian, and Greek immigrants remain some of the largest communities, but newcomers have arrived from Africa, Asia and the Americas. Visit Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne and the rich blend of nationalities is immediately apparent. Sensitivity to the integration of immigrants and an appreciation of the talents and benefits they bring are key factors in domestic German politics.
Diversity in focus: living together in Germany
Diversity enriches a society; it also causes friction. Many efforts are currently being undertaken in Germany to improve the integration of immigrants. Learning the language and education are key factors for success.
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At the univerisities of Tübingen and Münster/Osnabrück Islamic studies centres are to be founded. From 2011 on the first students will be able to begin their degree courses. "The centres of Islamic studies will be a major contribution to the integration of Muslims,” declared German Education Minister Schavan, but added, "Our work is far from ended. It is only just beginning.”
Islamic theology at German universites
"Integration in Germany is gathering momentum," declared Minister of State Maria Böhmer. Progress has been made both in terms of improving migrants' language skills and in the fields of education and training. Yet the situation of many migrants both on the labour market and in the education sector remains dramatic. "Over the next few years we will have to focus our attention more on these vitally important aspects of integration."
Integration momentum
In Germany, immigrants are finding employment faster than in many other countries. This positive conclusion was reached by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in its latest report on migration.
Immigrants and the German employment market
A difficult birth: the German Immigration Act
Together with the new citizenship law, the Immigration Act is meant to be one of the mainstays of German immigration policy. When the Act finally went into effect in 2005, not much was left of the original bill. In 2007 the parliament amended the Act for the first time. But even after this revision, discussion of the Act continues.
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Initiatives to foster intercultural dialogue
The German Foreign Office is working intensively to achieve global dialogue and exchange between cultures. In 2002, the policy focus "Dialogue with the Islamic world" was created at the Foreign Office along with the post known today as Special Representative for Dialogue among Civilizations. The dialogue aims to promote understanding between the "West" and the Islamic world, as well as pluralism in society, and also tries to counter anti-Western stereotypes and prejudices in Islamic societies. Approximately four million Euro are made available annually for projects and exchange programmes which are distributed mainly through partner organizations in the field of cultural relations and education policy, such as the Goethe-Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations. Further emphasis is placed on events that stimulate discourse within society in Islamic countries.
Links for more information about:
The Foreign Office's intercultural dialogue policy
The Ernst Reuter Initiative
The Goethe-Institut's intercultural work
