Education as Key for Integration

The large numbers of refugees who have arrived in particular during 2015 and 2016 constitute a great challenge for Germany. Many of those who seek shelter from war and persecution do not have high hopes to return to their home countries in the short run. Therefore, the core task is the integration of the people who have a high probability of staying, which requires participation in normal life as well as in the labor market. One of the clearest insights of migration research is that language proficiency and qualifications are decisive for successful integration in the labor market.

Thus, education in the form of language proficiency and qualifications is the key for a successful integration of migrants in the labor market and in society. With media contributions and reports, I have tried to advance this insight in the German debate and to elaborate what it means for practical policy.

Additional material is available in German.