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Overview Migration ActivitiesTwo parallel migration flows shaped the immigration to Germany in the second half of the last century: In the 1960s and early 1970s, in response to labour shortages prompted by economic revival, Germany recruited guest workers (Gastarbeiter) from countries in South and Southeast Europe. Although the majority returned to their home countries, many immigrants remained, and Germany gradually developed from a country that accommodated guest workers to a country with regulated immigration. Ethnic Germans repatriated to Germany, or (Spät-)Aussiedler, constitute the second major group of immigrants. These migrants mainly hailed from Poland, Romania and the former Soviet Union. Over the past two decades, progress has been made with regard to the integration of immigrants. Acquiring German citizenship has been simplified and promoted and a new immigration law from 2005 provides a legal framework that considers all aspects of immigration policy. The public and private sectors have begun to enact the new law and to implement concrete measures relating to labour migration, humanitarian resettlement, integration of foreigners in society and the harmonization of legal procedures within the European Union. In addition to implementing assisted voluntary return and resettlement programmes, IOM Germany is actively involved in the areas of counter trafficking, integration of migrants, and migration and development. Movement, Emergency and Post-conflict Migration Management Donors
IOM facilitates the movement of war refugees for permanent resettlement in third countries. Also migrants who would like to return to their country of origin, but are not eligible to obtain specific return assistance, as well as German emigrants, students and employees of NGOs, can be supported through reduced airfares offered by IOM. Moreover, the IOM Mission in Germany is making an effort to mobilize funds for IOM’s emergency humanitarian aid and post-crisis activities. Projects
Regulating Migration Donors
IOM assists migrants who return voluntarily to their countries of origin by providing logistical and financial support for the travel and, where possible, referring for further reintegration assistance in the respective countries of origin. IOM also offers counselling on the possibilities of a voluntary return, as well as return-related information on the situation in countries of origin. Migrants interested in third country migration are referred to specialized NGOs. The return assistance is offered within the Reintegration and Return Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany (REAG) / Government Assisted Repatriation Programme (GARP), implemented by IOM since 1979. IOM is part of the international network of organizations fighting against trafficking in human beings (THB) through prevention, direct assistance and technical cooperation. The goal of IOM Germany is to link the existing local and international structures, to strengthen the collaboration of the relevant stakeholders in this field and to contribute to an improved and thorough understanding of trafficking and labour exploitation as a violation of human rights and a discriminatory practice at work. Projects
Facilitating Migration Strategies to aid the adjustment of migrants to their new environment in destination countries can reinforce the positive effects of migration for origin and destination communities alike. Successful integration is a two-way social, economic, cultural and political adaptation process. It helps to mitigate potential community conflicts resulting from discrimination and xenophobia that are often born out of a lack of knowledge and understanding of different cultures. Projects
Migration and Development DonorsThe connection between migration and development is an ever-growing important field for the IOM. This involves allowing migrants to become active participants in the sustainable development of their country of origin. In Germany IOM is involved in creating networks to the diaspora community by providing opportunities for migrants to share their expertise attained abroad. Furthermore IOM Germany and its partners support the creation of network of the diaspora in Germany, with special focus on strengthening diaspora organizations led by women. Projects
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International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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Educational Toolkit
A toolkit teaching young people about migration and asylum in the European Union
Partners
- Federal Ministry of the Interior
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
- Federal Foreign Office
- Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development
- Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
- Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
- Berlin Senate for the Interior and Sports
- Berlin Senate for Integration, Labour and Social Issues
- Bavarian State Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Family Affairs, Women and Health
- Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) Berlin Brandenburg
- ILO Berlin
- UNHCR Germany
- Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM)
Related Links
- Berliner Bündnis gegen Menschenhandel
- German Integration Portal
- German Immigration Portal
- Federal Statistics Office
- Federal Criminal Police Office
- XENOS Bundesprogramm
- European Migration Network – National Contact Point Germany
- Bundesweiter Koordinierungskreis gegen Frauenhandel und Gewalt an Frauen im Migrationsprozess e.V.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
