Review of the "Asylum practice" symposium
Chemnitz joins forces and makes welcoming culture tangible
The City of Chemnitz, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and many other stakeholders have set themselves the task of making the concept of a welcoming culture in Chemnitz "tangible". Good coexistence characterised by tolerance and understanding can only be achieved together. Important points in the welcoming culture are Gaining an overview of the support and care services available to asylum seekers and highlighting concerns
Around 150 active supporters, carers and companions of asylum seekers accepted the invitation to the all-day symposium "Asylum Practice" yesterday, Wednesday, at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. They were welcomed by Hans-Joachim Wunderlich, Managing Director of the Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Cornelia Utech, Head of the Social Welfare Office.
"The great interest also shows the huge need for dialogue and information," said Etelka Kobuß, migration officer and initiator of the conference. "The number of participants shows that the topic of asylum has moved to the centre of society and is one of the central issues of our time."
Representatives from the city administration, chambers of commerce, Chemnitz Hospital, Grundstücks- und Gebäudewirtschaft-Gesellschaft m.b.H. and other property companies, the DRK hospital's nursing staff, educational institutions and daycare centres, clubs and associations, the police and language course providers were all present.
The morning was dedicated to exchanging information. Birgit Bublinski-Westhof, head of the branch office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Chemnitz, described the asylum procedure and provided the latest figures on asylum applicants. Viktor Vincze, personal advisor to the Saxon Commissioner for Foreigners, provided information on the work of the Asylum Steering Committee and the association's discussions. Heike Steege, Head of the Migration, Integration and Housing Department, outlined the situation of asylum seekers in the city of Chemnitz.
The most important topics were discussed in five workshops: pre-school and school education for refugee children, language courses, labour market integration as well as accommodation and social integration, particularly in the city districts. The workshops were led by experts: Ute Spindler - Children's Commissioner, Birgit Broszeit - Project Manager Intercultural Learning at AGIUA e. V., Grit Echevin - Head of the German Department at Chemnitz Adult Education Centre, Kai Tröger and Rudaba Badakhshi - IQ Network Saxony, Heike Steege - Head of the Migration, Integration, Housing Department at the Social Welfare Office
The results of the workshops were then discussed. Overall, there is a great demand for more information and for further training programmes in the field of intercultural communication and on the subject of migration, integration and asylum. For example, the participants would like to see a multilingual brochure with all language courses in the city of Chemnitz, as well as literature in different languages for refugees or sports clubs that would like to offer a programme for refugees. Educational programmes and work opportunities for asylum seekers within the legally required framework are also in demand. Asylum seekers should be more involved in neighbourhood work so that they feel at home and the local population is reached at the same time.
The results of the conference are now to be compiled in a catalogue of measures and gradually implemented. In addition to the many insights for their work, the participants got to know important partners and exchanged ideas with each other.
A follow-up event is planned for January 2016.