Refugees in The Netherlands
This English-language article examines 5 aspects of the refugee issue that has caused quite a stir in Europe. Or rather, the sudden arrival of many refugees and migrants made visible where everything is cracking and faltering in Europe. A very exciting moment in the transition to a phase in which new solutions and new policies can actually arise. You can download the English article via this link. Below is a short tasting of the 5 points.
1. What is the history, the background of our country?
The Netherlands has always been a fairly tolerant country, especially for economic reasons. Which is not to say that all foreigners were treated well. After WWII, several new groups were included in our society: the Indies and Surinamese people from our colonies, the invited guest workers from Southern Europe, Morocco and Turkey, later followed by family reunification and from the 90s more and more refugees. Much has been invested and developed to promote integration. Unfortunately, this expertise has now largely been cut back. Especially since 9/11, the attitude of the Dutch towards people with a different skin color or religion has become a lot more negative. At the moment there is a considerable gap in society that roughly runs between the traditional value systems and Orange/Green. Wilders is one of the politicians who makes grateful use of this. It would be very interesting to make the SD profile of all European countries and also of Europe as a whole.
2. The concept of culture
There is a lot of talk at the moment about our culture and their culture. “They just have to adapt to our values and standards.” But what is it actually about? This often refers to the perspective of the white native Dutch. But more than 20% of our society has a different background. So, what is 'us'? I think the situation becomes a lot clearer if you look from the Spiral. There are many differences and similarities between people. The value system from which you look and act is a very important one. Value systems bridge differences in culture and religion. By looking in this way you can more easily receive newcomers with an open mind.
3. How to deal with Red
The refugee/migrant issue evokes a lot of aggressive feelings in people. It actually triggers the fear. Fear of the strange, the unknown, of the uncertainty of the future and of change. On the one hand, there is opposition to migrants among a part of the Dutch population (another part just opens its doors wide), on the other hand there is the question of how to deal with terrorism and IS. The Netherlands is having a hard time dealing with this. I find the 'pyramid' of Elza Maalouf and Don Beck very helpful, from which it becomes clear that the best way to approach violent offenders is through people who are close to them but who are slightly more moderate.
4. The role of drivers
An effective approach to the refugee issue requires a nuanced policy. Institutions and institutions involved need to think about the roles that are currently expected of them. The COA, for example, has difficulty with this. They remain in a rather authoritarian Blue structure, while much more Orange/Green is needed to be able to collaborate with civil organizations and companies.
5. The Integration Process
In the Quality Center for Refugee Women, we discovered that integration goes through a number of steps. After the Beige misery of the war and the flight, a form of Purple security is needed first. Secondly, it is important to be able to remain active, for example by learning the language or doing voluntary work, and to experience that Red assertiveness is expected in the Netherlands. Once they have their residence permit, it is time to familiarize themselves with the Blue Jungle of rules, structures and forms. Only then will space be created to start entrepreneurship from an Orange perspective: pick up a study, look for a job, start your own company. Wherever people were in the spiral in their own country, in the host country they have to rebuild it from the bottom up. That is of course easier the more they could develop further.
The article ends with some policy recommendations from Second Tier.
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