RESETTLEMENT OF BURMESE REFUGEES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Transcription

1 RESETTLEMENT OF BURMESE REFUGEES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC Conference: Resettlement AUSTRIA GETS PREPARED Petr NOVÁK Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic 8 November 2010, Vienna

2 A NEW WAY OF SUPPORT Burma is among the priority countries of the Czech Republic s foreign policy Former President Václav Havel nominated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for Nobel Peace Prize Long-term support for Burmese democratic movement Czech government s decision to join the Resettlement Programme (June 2008) A pilot project Burmese refugees (17( families 85 persons ): from Malaysia and Thailand,, Chin, Karen, Kachin and Tavoyan ethnic people, Baptists, parents with children

3 ARRIVAL In 2 groups (9( families in 2008 and 2009 and 8 families in 2010) Legal status: international protection (asylum) almost equal rights like Czech citizens, permanent stay permit

4 FIRST MONTHS IN NEW HOME First 6 8 months stay in the Integration Centre (facility of the Ministry of Interior) Intensive Czech language classes for adults and children Cultural orientation courses Learning the local rules and customs Children attending local school

5 FIRST MONTHS

6 FIRST MONTHS

7 MOVING TO NEW HOMES Coordinated by Department for Asylum and Migration Policy, Ministry of the Interior (in cooperation with municipalities, NGOs and individuals) State Integration Programme for recognized refugees (state support with housing, language, assistance in employment) Moving to so-called integration flats (municipality owned, regulated rent, support from the municipalities) Criteria: size of family, access to social support, health care, education, social life, jobs Official offer, inspection of flats, signing of rent contract

8 MOVING TO NEW HOMES Moving to flats 16 different places in the Czech Republic

9 WARM WELCOME IN NEW HOMES

10 WARM WELCOME IN NEW HOMES

11 NEW START Registration at offices/school/doctors, etc. Getting acquainted with new neighbourhood Starting a new job Continuing language lessons Creating new social contacts Assistance provided by officials from all local municipalities, NGOs (Organization for Aid to Refugees OPU, Society of Citizens Assisting Migrants - SOZE, Burma Center Prague), churches (Evangelic, Baptist), individuals (neighbours( neighbours, language teachers, volunteers)

12 EMPLOYMENT Arrival during the time of global economic recession High unemployment rate in the regions where refugees are accommodated Lack of local language knowledge, poor education, low professional skills or no evidence of work experience of resettled refugees low qualified job Thanks to the municipalities and labour offices most of them have got publicly beneficiary jobs (mostly maintenance work - cleaning, public gardening) with subsidy from state A few job opportunities at private companies (furniture companies, farm, gardening) Positive: not being isolated, opportunity to practice language and gain new friends, learning work habits, a bit better income than social subsidies

13 LANGUAGE Low education of refugees Difficult language for Asians to learn 500 hours paid by government Basic communication, but not sufficient to communicate with offices or understand official documents Refugees obstacles to apply the language (cultural background, focusing too much on correct grammar, mixture with other languages) Refugees understand basic literal meaning but cannot embed into the actual context Knowledge of local language is a vital need to attend vocational training or re-qualification courses Possibilities to practice Czech offices, employment, school, neighbourhood,, churches

14 EDUCATION OF CHILDREN Limited language skills achieved no more special language classes for children after moving to flats apart from classes at some schools (depending on the possibilities of individual schools) Low education or lesser quality education of refugee children before arrival Lack of evidence about gained education in home country a problem to get nostrification/official acknowlegement Age (limited to attend primary school) Secondary education marks from completed primary education, entry exams, skill tests In some case, only possibility to attend special or practical schools for handicapped or socially weak children

15 SOCIAL CONTACTS Different mentality and cultural background Not yet sufficient language skills to make new friends Difficult to understand the local customs (diet, dress, child care, work style, etc.) Refugees hesitate to make first steps Czech society homogenous, little experience with foreigners, limited knowledge about Burma Local people confuse Burmese refugees with other Asian migrants

16 Burma Center Prague Socio-cultural cultural interpreting (for both Cz officials and refugees) and quasi-social social assistance for refugees Consultation on cultural differences Providing training for Czech social workers about Burma Public awareness raising activities (lectures, film screenings, discussions) Social events for refugees with Czech friends Project Far and Close Burma supported by EEA & Norway grants

17 OTHER PROBLEMS High expectations from a new life General disillusion Reluctance to trust in local political system and institutions (no similar experience before) Lack of self-confidence Socio-cultural cultural differences and lack of ability to adapt to the local customs (Asia vs. Europe) Different mentality No previous experience with independent life to be able to decide oneself Strong community life and dependency on community

18 RECOMMENDATIONS Provide before departure clear and sufficient information about host country (living standard, basic customs) and its possibilities ies to provide support (housing, job, education, social subsidies) with clarification of time frame Put emphasis on importance to learn the local language (to be able to obtain a job, get enrolled to schools and be able to make new friendships) Provide practical orientation training including practical skills s to adapt local living standards and customs (before departure and after arrival) Increase public awareness about Burma and Burmese refugees as well as awareness of refugees about host country Cooperation with local Burmese community Psychological/therapeutic support

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20 Thank you for your attention Petr NOVÁK Head of the Unit for Integration of Foreigners and Refugees Phone: : Fax: petr.novak@mvcr.cz MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC Department for Asylum and Migration Policy P.O. Box 21/OAM Prague 7