Integration in Germany Özcan Mutlu, MdA

Migration  In a globalizing world, cross-border mobility and migration are an integral element of modern societies.  Immigration and migration shaped the history and the face of our countries.  Although the issues migration and the integration of migrants in our societies are comparably the contexts of Integration and Incorporation are quite different.

Germany  More than 14 Million immigrants live in Germany, half-and-half German and foreign citizens.  Migration has changed the German society in the last fifty years.  Ethnic and cultural diversity has become part of daily life.

Germany  Yet despite this social reality, for a long time there was a refusal, to recognize this fact.  Far too long the notion that „Germany is not and immigration country“ shaped policy in Germany.  For decades, the public was given the impression that the immigration process was reversible.  Thereby, politicians in Germany failed for years to develop a sensitive strategy for the integration of immigrants.

Germany  Yet ignoring that immigration is a fact of life denied us the opportunity to manage immigration or promote integration.  After many years of stagnation in the integration policy field, immigration was finally recognized as a fact of life in the last years.  Today it is no longer the question, whether to integrate migrants in society, but how to integrate them.

Current state of the debate Let me give you an overview of the current state of the debate in Germany and make some comments on the topics of the conference.

Citizenship  The question of social affiliation, the question, whether you belong to a society or not, is first of all a question of citizenship.  Until the nineties citizenship was only granted alongside the principle of descent (jus sanguinis), which makes the child‘s citizenship dependent on the parents‘ nationality.

Citizenship  The introduction of jus soli in 2000 was a real milestone of integration policy in Germany.  This links citizenship to the place of birth.  The reform of the citizenship and nationality law was the most far-reaching integration policy reform measure adopted in Germany.  In the last five years more than one million people became German citizens.

Citizenship  Beyond its quantitative impact this legislative step also has an effect on our society‘s self-image.  It opens up our society to everyone who lives here and closes the gap between the resident population and the electorate.

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  The debate about the new citizenship and nationality law has raised new questions in the social and political debate: What is German? What should German society be like?  As part of this debate, the conservatives demanded that migrants accept the concept of a German „guiding culture“ (Leitkultur).

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  At the same time the End of Multiculturalism was proclaimed.  These are at least reactions to the changes in our society and to the fact that Germany has become more pluralistic as a result of immigration.  We have to learn, that a German can also be someone who wears a headscarf or greets you with the words „Kalimera“ or „Merhaba“.

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  For this reason, the debate about a homogeneous German culture can only be theoretical, because reality is far ahead from this debate.  But we have to give an answer to the question: What keeps a pluralistic society together?

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  Where Multiculturalism is a fact, integration is the challenge.  This is not only a legislative challenge, but also a matter of social consciousness.  Every society, especially a pluralistic society needs identification and empathy, to function as a community.  How can identification with the community be created in a pluralistic society?

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  There is no simple answer to this question.  If you ask young Turks in Germany, they will not characterize themselves as Germans, although they are born in this country and possess the German citizenship.  Maybe they say: I am a Berliner.  Or like my colleague Cem Özdemir, who is member of the European Parliament: An Anatolian Swabian.

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  This lack of identification and empathy traces back to the refusal to recognize the fact of immigration.  One must be an accepted part of the society, to identify with the society – not only a legally, but also a socially accepted part of the society.  I think, there is still a difference between immigration countries like the USA or Canada and Germany.

Multiculturalism, „New Assimilation“ and Representation  And therefore we need more representatives with a migration background in all public fields, in the politics as well as in the media.  We need more role models, who can create identification and show, that migrants can make their way in this society.  Because promoting integration is not only a task for the state, it is also a challenge for society as a whole.  It concerns the fundamental openness of a pluralist society.

Muslims in Germany  And it is not only a question of political representation.  As a result of immigration, Germany‘s religious profile has changed.  Today, around 3 million Muslims live in Germany, comprising the third largest religious community.

Muslims in Germany  Especially after 9/11 the integration of the Muslim minority appears on the agenda.  Islam in particular is viewed with reservations and alarm in large sections of society and even in some of the major parties.  This gives rise to disputes over the construction of mosques, the call of the muezzin, Islamic teaching in German schools, and female teachers who wear the hijab.

Muslims in Germany  Moving towards integration of immigrant religions does not mean erasing cultural traditions.  It means broadening the cultural spectrum to encompass new religious and cultural traditions.  In other words, it means intercultural opening.

Muslims in Germany  The task is to integrate Islam into the fabric of our society.  However, even a contructive policy on integration will be unable to avoid conflicts.  Identifiying conflicts and finding solutions to them are part of the integration process.  Above all, it is essential to ensure that these disputes are managed democratically and on the basis of equality.

Integration is a Process  To this end, in a pluralistic society, compromises are required from all stakeholders.  Integration means the ongoing process of achieving an understanding about the common bases and rules underpinning community relations.  In this sense, integration is a process for society as a whole.  It is never completed and must constantly be encouraged.