Prospects of Refugee Integration in the Netherlands: Social Capital, Information Practices and Digital Media

Abstract

Integration is a highly contested concept within the field of migration. However, a well-established view of the concept draws from underpinning migration and refugee theories, in which integration is seen as a dynamic, multidimensional, and <em>two-way</em> process of adaptation to a new culture and that takes place over time. Most studies have focused on the integration perspective of host societies, in particular how governments’ understandings of belonging shape legal frameworks of rights and citizenship and their impact on the process of integration itself. With a focus on refugee migration to the Netherlands, this study analyzes the newcomers’ perspectives and experiences of integration and information in the host society, as well as the role of digital media technologies and networks in mediating this relationship. Building on policies and refugee migrant interviews, the article sketches out the ongoing dynamics of social capital during refugees’ adaptation processes in the country and puts forward a perception of the role of media in the integration act.

Mobile communication and refugees: An analytical review of academic literature

“…On the other hand, the practical potentials of smartphone devices are extensively covered in the literature on refugee resettlement. Administrative and locative functions of mobile technologies are described by a number of studies as useful tools for refugees to coordinate pathways through the bureaucracy (Glazebrook, 2004), orient themselves in the city (Kaufmann, 2018), and navigate a range of obstacles on their way to finding a new life (Alencar & Tsagkroni, 2019; Graf, 2018; Veronis, Tabler, & Ahmed, 2018). Syrians make active use of social media apps like Facebook, Youtube, WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Google Translate (AbuJarour, Bergert, Gundlach, Köster, & Krasnova, 2019; Alencar, 2017; Graf, 2018; Kaufmann, 2018).…”

Thanks for Your Help! – The Value of Q&A Websites for Refugee Integration

“…Answering the high rate of international migration, the United Nations agreed to engage in the integration of refugees which they consider to "reduce the risks of marginalization and radicalisation" [14, p. 8]. Research today mostly agrees on integration being a multi-faceted and reciprocal process [15] with the goal of becoming an equal part of the host society [2]. The wellestablished framework by Ager and Strang [13] decomposes the term into ten interrelated 'Core Domains of Integration' which are grouped into four overall themes.…”

“…Many studies focus on the derivation and introduction of new digital service designs or digital projects for refugees such as 'Empathy up' [22] or 'Integreat' [23]. In reaction to this large supply of services, other studies give overviews on existing digital services and identify gaps in the service landscape (e.g., [18]) or carve out refugees' challenges and barriers with respect to digital support services or success factors of such services (e.g., [15,24,25]). Indeed, figuring out what makes services successful is crucial to the development and improvement of services.…”

O processo de integração dos refugiados na comunidade anfitriã: estudo com migrantes venezuelanos

“…No entanto, a entrada no mercado de trabalho é um processo desafiador para a maioria dos refugiados (Yakushko, Backhaus, Watson, Ngaruiya e Gonzalez, 2008 2006). Sua importância se deve ao fato de ele representar uma forma de apoio emocional, bemestar e desenvolvimento econômico (Alencar, 2019). Além disso, pode ser considerado um facilitador na inserção de refugiados no mercado de trabalho, dado que os contatos sociais com membros do local anfitrião podem ajudar os indivíduos a compensar a falta de capital humano e a capacidade de se comunicar com os empregadores (Aguilera & Massey, 2003;& Hoffmeister, 2008;Lancee, 2010).…”

“…Nesse sentido, também foram destacados o papel das instituições no acesso aos fatores (Mulvey,2015). Ainda, estudos recentes começaram a identificar as mídias sociais como elementos integrativos (Alencar, 2019), fator esse também presente nos discursos.…”