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What Germany Taught UsAbout Welcoming Refugees
Welcoming Communities Transatlantic Exchange
November 16, 2016
The Welcoming Refugees Project is supported by
the Office of Refugee Resettlement
(ORR/ACF/DHHS)
Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will:
• Understand the context for welcoming refugees in Germany
• Learn similarities and differences between the U.S. and German approach
• Consider ways to adapt Germany’s promising practices to your local context
Agenda
• The German ContextSusan Downs-Karkos, Welcoming America
• Reflections and Next Steps from Participating CommunitiesJan Reeves, Boise Paedia Nixon, Atlanta
Brittany Ford, Lucas County Betsy Cohen, St. Louis
• Moderated Discussion
• How to Apply for 2017
Towards a Welcoming Germany
Overview
Context
• A million refugees
• Incredible volunteer response
• Systematizing the effort
• Engaging the receiving community
The System
• Regional Quotas
• Processing
• After provisional status
• Efforts to fast-track
• Language learning
• Employment
• Benefits
The Welcome
• Grassroots efforts
• Local governments
• Cbos
• Communications
• Collaborations
• Empowerment
Our Commonalities• Integration is local
• Leaders set the tone
• Communications challenges
• Jobs/language/benefits challenges
• Dedicated champions
• Building a transatlantic network
Reflections from U.S. Cities
Key Takeaways: Boise
• Welcoming
• Economic Integration
• Leadership
Next Steps: Boise
• Neighbors United network
• Engage and empower Muslim community
• Expand vocational training and apprenticeship
Quilting Project, Boise Weekly
Key Takeaways: Ohio
Importance of government involvement
• Some projects have full government funding
• Sometimes not as community partnership-driven
Next Steps: Ohio
• OWIN Network & Mission
• Action Plan
• Goal of State Advocacy
Quilting Project, Boise Weekly
Key Takeaways: Atlanta
• Learned from American and German Colleagues
• German government’s funding and service coordination
• Examples
Next Steps: Atlanta
• Welcoming Metro Region
• Career development and credential evaluation services
• Intersection of arts and culture and immigrant integration work
Key Takeaways: St. Louis• Government Help
• Arts
• Volunteerism
• German society involved
Next Steps: St. Louis
• STL regional task force on refugee housing
• Volunteer and the Arts
QUESTIONS?
Resources/Updates
Welcoming Refugees Forum
You will have the opportunity to:
• Engage in special discussions before and after webinars
• Have direct access to Welcoming America staff
• Get early peeks at new resources
• Share successes and challenges in welcoming with each other
http://bit.ly/wrforum
KEEP UP WITH WELCOMING AMERICA
WelcomingRefugees.org
WelcomingAmerica.org
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@WelcomingUSA
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
youtube.com/WelcomingAmerica
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