Economic self-reliance or social relations? What works in refugee integration? Learning from resettlement programmes in Japan and the UK

Abstract

There is an urgent need to expand the scale and scope of refugee resettlement schemes, and yet country approaches to resettlement vary markedly and there is little cross-country learning from approaches and refugee experiences. In Japan, resettlement focuses on economic self-sufficiency through employment; whereas the UK, through Community Sponsorship volunteers, on providing social connections to facilitate integration. This paper explores the strengths and short-comings of each approach and examines the ways in which refugee resettlement programmes prioritising different integration domains might influence refugee experiences of integration more widely. Drawing on principles and domains set out in the Indicators of Integration Framework (Ndofor-Tah, C. Strang, A. Phillimore, J. Morrice, L., Michael, L., Wood, P., Simmons, J. (2019) Home Office Indicators of Integration framework 2019), insight is provided into the multi-dimensionality of integration and new understandings about the nature of social connections are offered. The findings highlight the context specific nature of integration policy and practice and underline the importance of a holistic approach. We conclude that resettlement initiatives might incorporate both employers and local communities working in collaboration to support newly arrived refugees but with some state involvement.

A scoping review on the barriers to and facilitators of health services utilisation related to refugee settlement in regional or rural areas of the host country

“…As previously identified, the major limitation is that the majority of the papers found in the 5-year search period originated from Australia, where the government has been actively working to increase settlement in rural or regional regions [ 9 ]. Therefore, the findings of this scoping review may be limited in their applicability to other countries where healthcare services may be distributed differently, depending on the size of the rural or regional towns, government support, and cultural norms in place [ 65 , 66 ]. Also, most of the studies are of a qualitative nature, with discrepancies between the refugee groups studied and local conditions.…”

Japanese and Taiwanese Approaches to Future Climate Displaced People

“…For the Hawaiian-Taiwanese family in this interview, beyond the jabs made at their inadequate linguistic skills, the family did not have any further unpleasant experiences, however, researchers have questioned if the numbers of Pacific Island migrants with no Taiwanese ethnic heritage were to increase and remain on a more permanent basis, whether they may experience such discrimination. Naturally, questions will arise over the humane treatment of migrants and refugees as findings shed light on such experiences (Phillimore et al, 2021). It is no secret that Japanese and Taiwanese societies and the cultures at large are not as racially or culturally sensitive as they could be which can lead to misunderstandings and negative experiences being had by those of non-Japanese/non-Taiwanese heritage or even by those with a mixed heritage (Arudō, 2015;Illmer, 2020;Park, 2017).…”

“…Moving beyond migration to Japan or Taiwan, it is also crucial to glance at the experiences of those refugees who have settled and made these nations home. Within the literature it has already been recognised that there is an urgent need to "expand the scale and scope of refugee resettlement schemes" in Japan as the current approach focused on economic self-sufficiency lacks the more holistic aspects of community collaboration and integration (Phillimore et al, 2021). However, in a recent study comparing refugee approaches and experiences in the UK and Japan conducted by Jenny Phillimore and her team, which interviewed refugees from Myanmar currently residing in Japan, the selfsufficiency policy appears to prove more successful than the UK's more informal approaches.…”

“…The dependence on a refugee's first employer and colleagues can prove challenging. They have cited the long working hours as a reason for why they have struggled to make connections within the local community (Phillimore et al, 2021).…”

Exploring Labor Integration Challenges for Ukrainians in Slovakia

“…One theoretical framework that underpins this study is the social integration theory. It believes that successful integration involves the attainment of economic self-sufficiency, social inclusion and cultural adaptation (Ives, 2007;Phillimore et al, 2021). In the context of labour market integration, it suggests that individuals who are able to secure stable employment are more likely to experience positive outcomes in other aspects of their lives such as social relationships, mental health and overall well-being (Godinic et al, 2020).…”