08.11.2024
"Immigration has long been an integral part of our culture. In the future, we will depend on it to an unprecedented degree. It makes no sense to close our eyes to this. We should open ourselves up to the people, their lives, their culture, their thinking, their beliefs."
With these words, Senator for Social Affairs and Integration Dr. Claudia Schilling invites everyone to attend the many events of the Integration Weeks in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Interested citizens can attend the events as part of the Integration Weeks until November 17th.
Integration week with around 80 events
A total of around 80 free events can be found under the umbrella of the Integration Weeks from November 4th to 17th, 2024 – with some events already scheduled before the official kick-off, which will be a celebration and discussion event at the House of Citizens on Wednesday, November 6th, starting at 3 pm.
Sahhanim Görgü-Philipp, Vice President of the Bremen Parliament, and Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte will deliver the welcoming addresses; Social and Integration Senator Dr. Claudia Schilling will then be available for discussions in a fishbowl format.
Refugees, guest workers, colonialism – diverse topics
Topics of the integration weeks include a “fact check on refugees”, “opportunities for immigrant women in the past and present”, eyewitness accounts from the “children of guest workers”, a lecture on the colonial history of Germany, a bazaar for children’s clothing from the intercultural textile workshop in the Lindenhof district, and staged readings and music with the author and theatre maker Alvaro Solar.
Exhibition in Bremerhaven highlights the role of guest workers
Events are also taking place in Bremerhaven, such as the exhibition "Rooted far from home – Women of the 1st and 2nd generation of Turkish guest workers in Bremerhaven", combined with an exchange about arriving in a foreign country that is to become home.
A culinary journey around the world
Even before the Integration Weeks officially begin, the Bremen Africa Network invites you on a culinary journey on Friday, November 1st – from spicy West African meat pies to delicate Russian pelmeni and flavorful Indian samosas. Each station reflects a different culture, which will be discussed in detail, thus inviting you to "see the world with different eyes.".
Integration week will be held for the first time over 14 days
“For the first time, we have spread the events of Integration Week over 14 days,” said Nadezhda Milanova, Commissioner for Migration and Integration. “In the past, we have found that the large number of events competed with each other.”
This year, they wanted to avoid that and thus increase the chances of participating in multiple events. "The Integration Weeks thrive on interaction. You can never create enough opportunities for that."
Focus: Labor market and immigration
Senator Dr. Claudia Schilling intends to use the Integration Weeks to advocate for a measured approach to immigration issues in the public sphere: "The importance of migration for our society is exemplified by the labor market, which is currently characterized by a shortage of skilled workers to an extent rarely seen before in the history of the Federal Republic."
A clear majority of men are employed
According to statistical data, the senator stated, for example, 86 percent of men who fled to Germany in 2015 were employed eight years later (2023). By comparison, only 80.5 percent of the total male population in Germany between the ages of 15 and 64 were employed.
Women are catching up
Even though women from this group are still underrepresented in the labor market, their share is also increasing year by year – from an initial two percent to 33 percent today. "These figures illustrate the particular importance of immigration for the labor market," said Senator Dr. Schilling.
All events during the Integration Weeks are free of charge.
In many cases, prior registration is required.
Source: Press Office of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, Press Release , 29.10.2024.