The reception of refugees worldwide is mostly done by countries with a weak economy, often struggling with their own security issues. Although this leads to much problems, these countries also gained a lot of expertise. What can Dutch policy makers learn from non-European countries in offering shelter and ensuring integration of refugees? And what ‘bad examples’ should we definitely not follow?
Three experts deliver a pitch, covering positive and negative issues in dealing with refugees and migrants in their country of expertise. How do they deal with the problems that we are facing in Europe, such as access to employment, integration and public support? What can we learn from them and what should we see as the absolute ethical lower threshold that we do not want to surpass?
After that, the room is divided into three groups, to continue to talk with the experts about these questions.
About the speakers
Dr. Naohiko Omata is a Senior Research Officer of the Humanitarian Innovation Project based at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford. Previously, he has worked as a practitioner and consultant for UNDP, UNHCR, and international and local NGOs in various Sub-Saharan African countries. His research focusses primarily focusses on the economic lives of refugees both inside and outside refugee camps.
Frank Pieke is professor in Chinese Studies, with a focus on Chinese migration. His research revolves around international migration, transnationalism and cultural diversity, including a long-term interest in Chinese migration and ethnicity in Europe and, more recently, the emergence of international immigrant groups in China.
Ayham Al-Saadi is a Syrian of Palestian origin ; his parents had fled to Syria before he was born. Even though Al- Saadi himself was born in Syria, he always felt and was seen as a refugee. He never received the Syrian citizenship and always had to abide by special rules. When war broke out in Syria, he eventually fled to the Netherlands.
With a column of Babah Tarawally.
The moderator for this evening is Ama Dantzig, co-founder of Dr. Monk.
About this program
Humanity House wants to contribute to The Asylum Search Engine cross-media project by examining the external influences on Dutch asylum policy. We organize two meet ups: one on European Asylum Policy (May 19) and one on learning from Non-European countries in sheltering refugees (May 26). The results of these and other meetings in several other Dutch cities will be presented to Dutch policymakers on June 21 at Theater aan het Spui. From April until the end of 2016, the exhibition of the The Asylum Search Engine is presented at Humanity House.