Progress: No progress
Offer migrant groups more institutional opportunities for political participation, involving them in political processes especially in the field of integration
Proponent:
Turkey
Republic of Turkey
Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):
An EU initiative, the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027, aims to promote the inclusion of all people in society and remove barriers to the participation of people with a migrant background. The plan emphasises the need for both individual efforts and the host community for inclusive integration. Measures include education, labour market integration, access to health services and affordable housing. The EU Commission is seeking partnerships with various stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the action plan and promote the inclusion of migrants (see NAP on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files_en?file=2020-11/action_plan_on_integration_and_inclusion_2021-2027.pdf). In Austria, public debates on the integration of migrants are far removed from academic discourse and the real-life experiences of this group. The prevailing opinion assumes a gradual process of adaptation of immigrants to Austrian culture, which, however, often implies unrealistic ideas of unity and homogenisation. Complete integration is seen as a constantly demanded but unattainable goal. The political commitment of migrants reflects transnational experiences and the framework conditions in the country of immigration. Restrictions in citizenship law mean that many migrants in Vienna are excluded from the active political process. The lack of recognition for transnational experiences and resources as well as the non-immigration orientated political and administrative structures reinforce these challenges. The reaction to this situation has led to the emergence of political entrepreneurs, associations, platforms and media outside the established political structures. These actors deal with issues of migration and integration in Austria and serve as a transnational bridge. Political participation often takes place via associations, which represent an alternative form of inclusion (see project report 2021, Political participation in a transnational context: Turkish and Serbian migrants in Vienna: https://migrant-integration.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-11/stadt-wien-ucc88berarbeitet-projektbericht-8-11-2021.pdf).
