Refugees and migrants are incredibly motivated and determined to actively integrate within their new society. For many who have fled war torn countries, a new home opens up new horizons for themselves and their children. A fresh start with opportunities far beyond the country they left behind. Read on to find how countries can support migrants and refugees, to integrate within their new home and to access all opportunities to succeed.
- Provide Integration Services
While many migrants can be welcomed quickly to a host country through the help of a migration agent in Melbourne CBD; slow application processing times for asylum seekers, damages the opportunities for refugees to integrate within their new home. Providing language training and other integration support early, is therefore critical for migrants and refugees to adapt and integrate to their new home country. For this reason, countries including Norway, offer up to 250 hours of language training for asylum seekers in reception centres.
Migration services and local initiatives will often offer Adult Migrant Language Programs, which can lead to further employment and social opportunities for new migrants and refugees. Having a firm grasp on the common language is essential for new arrivals to adjust to their new country, and to benefit from a wide range of employment and education opportunities.
The level of integration support afforded to new migrants and refugees, can vary dramatically in different regions of the same country. For this reason, it is critical for countries to develop country wide integration programs, ensuring that each region is adequately financed and equipped to provide full support to their new members.
- Assist Employment
Countries are often reluctant to provide asylum seekers and migrants with the same employment opportunities as citizens. New arrivals can be subject to waiting periods before they can legally work, and strict conditions upon their employment opportunities when they are finally granted the right.
Migrants and refugees with foreign credentials and qualifications, often struggle in having their experience recognised by local employers. This means that many qualified new arrivals are forced to abandon their professional aspirations, and settle for employment that does not recognise their education or level of prior experience.
By assessing and documenting the education, skills and experiences of new arrivals, countries can ensure that the professional skills and qualifications of new arrivals are nationally recognised.
- Support Mental Health Initiatives
Refugees are particularly prone to mental health issues, following their often traumatic and violent experiences back home and in transit to their new country. If the refugee has spent time in mandatory detention, this can exacerbate the impacts of any traumatic experiences. Throughout the resettlement phase, newcomers are experiencing a loss of family and support, unemployment, language barriers, cultural isolation and previous experiences of trauma.
Mental health is therefore critical to successful integration. When dealing with issues such as PTSD, anxiety and depression, it can be difficult for newcomers to find employment and interact with their new neighbours. In fact, those who have spent time in mandatory detention experience much higher levels of suicidal behaviour and psychiatric illnesses than the general population.
It is therefore important for host countries to assess the mental health of newcomers, and provide access to regular healthcare and support for those who are vulnerable. Furthermore, this support needs to be appropriate and respectful of varied cultural beliefs and tailored for those who may require the use of an interpreter.
- Promote Community Support
Community members, employers, charities, immigration associations and other community based organisations, all have a role to play in supporting the integration of migrants and refugees. While government policy and programs are integral in providing financial support, community engagement and attitude play a key role in the success of integration efforts.
Education regarding cultural differences and religion, are key to tackle issues of discrimination and racism that often affect migrants and refugees. Through promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusion, countries can support refugees and migrants through their transition in a new country.
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Through providing integration support services, countries give their new arrivals every opportunity to succeed, feel part of their new home and become valued members of their new community.
Bio: Laura Costello is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Law/International Relations at Latrobe University. She is passionate about the law, the power of social media, and the ability to translate her knowledge of both common and complex topics to readers across a variety of mediums, in a way that is easy to understand.