Integration of the new asylum seekers arriving to the EU

Europe has been a continent where cultures meet therefore diversity and inclusive societies are the basis of Europe, and these values are the soil in which we must encourage strong and fair democracies to grow and flourish.

In this article I will provide some thoughts on how to best integrate asylum seekers in our European societies so that everyone contributes and is valued for what he or she is able to contribute.

1) Probably the most important - Language: The whole idea of integration, mutual respect and understanding requires a language in which to communicate. It is important for asylum seekers to be able to communicate beyond their own group, to move independently, go shopping, get information, visit doctors and read. Therefore, asylum seekers must receive language courses from day one. It is already the practice in some countries that asylum seekers are assigned a language tutor to assist them. Some countries have also produced phrasebooks with useful phrases to help asylum seekers.

2) Accommodation: Ideas like the "refugees-welcome", which is actually an "airbnb for refugees" and operates in few countries at the moment is a very good idea to integrate refugees in the society. Asylum-seekers instead of staying isolated in camps, they are placed in private homes of individuals that they share a room in their house voluntary or they receive an amount from the government.

3) Free pass access to public transportation such as buses or metro. Isolated refugee camps can result in being difficult for poorer asylum seekers to go outside of their communities. Also access to public services such as healthcare system.

4) Through the use of activities at local level within societies. For example, there are local societies organising sport activities such as volleyball, basketball etc, where locals and asylum seekers can work as a team and strengthen intercultural relations.

5) Strong anti-discrimination legislation implemented across Europe through advocacy for and the adoption of policies such as the EC Directive 2008/0140 on implementing the principle of equal treatment.

6) Citizenship marks a distinction between members and outsiders. Citizenship by definition, gives several rights and in many countries, this definition excludes some segments of city residents from being citizens, including asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers, and temporary residents.

7) Last but not least. education: For current citizens of all ages and even more intensively for the generations entering the Higher Education Institutions. We must understand that many of the European citizens lack the necessary education and knowledge which would enable them to understand the culture, religion or even the exact reasons why an asylum seeker leaves his country behind. The situation in the countries where the most asylum seekers come from is very complex. The governments in cooperation with medias should provide education programmes to learn the history and culture of one's own which will foster the understanding and appreciation of other societies, cultures and religions.