What do these young men need?
Cologne marks a new phenomenon in Europe. Not the sexual violence per se, because unfortunately that happens all too often. New is the size and publicity. What is going on? I would like to add another to the explanations that are put forward, such as cultural differences, different images about the male-female ratio, lack of preparation in the police or the dulling effect of alcohol: the lack of sufficient structure. From this angle, other solutions become apparent.
Where do they come from?
The perpetrators of this action seem to be mainly young men from North Africa with a single German, American or war refugee in between. In this piece I focus on the young men who are moving to Europe. What is their motivation and background? There are young men who are fleeing the war or the dictatorship in their country. Others are economic migrants seeking work and a better life.
Some of these economic migrants are well educated, many are not. They lived according to the family or clan tradition, partly inspired and supported by the Christian or Islamic faith. The task at this stage in their lives is to build structure through education, employment, or raising a family. But their country lacks both the possibilities and a well-functioning government that can do something about it. The boys get bored, see no prospects anymore, hear stories about the rich west and leave, of their own free will or directed by the family. On their quest away from their families and immediate living environment, these young men experience dangerous and violent things. Sometimes they are even recruited along the way by groups such as IS.
Their images and the reality of Western life are quite different. Once arrived in Europe with its institutions, laws and procedures, and emphasis on entrepreneurship and own initiative, many find that this way of social order is new to them. Anyone who does not receive a residence permit has no income, will wander and run a great risk
to end up in alcohol and drug addiction, poverty, crime, with possible participation in these kinds of Cologne incidents. The result: loss of vitality and self-respect for themselves and for society a burden.
Prevention
What do these young men need? First of all – in non-war countries – reception and employment projects in their own country. Learning a trade, being able to earn money, being proud of what you do. Give those guys a perspective there in their own country. Private initiatives are already doing that, but overheid en businesses can do much more investing in the economic development of developing countries, especially aimed at youth. That's the best way to reduce the need to leave.
When sustainable work projects and new businesses are established, it also becomes legitimate to return young men if they do not receive residence permits here. A workplace can then be arranged there so that they can return to their family with their heads held high. Not with the expected fat wallet, but with a job and self-respect. If this does not work in the country of origin, one could consider investing in, for example, more 'Green Gold' projects in the agricultural sector. In Spain, Egypt, Jordan and India, among others, efforts are being made to restore ecosystems and biodiversity. Areas that have become barren are cultivated.
Being able to be active and earn respect
Young men from war zones and economic migrants who reach Europe should not be left to their own devices when they end up here in a reception center or asylum seekers' center. For them too, structure is the most important thing, especially in the period when a final result has to be 'waited'. Approach them personally and not as a group (for example, there is less risk of misconduct due to peer pressure). Getting started with language learning (Dutch or English), voluntary and paid work in the asylum seekers' center but especially outside it. Give them opportunities to further develop their talents and use them for the community. Young men are very good at organizing sports activities for younger children. They can set up musical and theatrical gatherings for all residents and local residents. Put them to work! Help them to give shape and meaning to their days. Support is needed because it is simply very difficult to take initiatives like this yourself in an unfamiliar country. Without support they hang out and get bored and walk to the mall again…. This approach creates a win-win situation for everyone.
Fortunately, the House of Representatives has understood that small-scale reception locations are necessary to prevent incidents, create support and enable integration. One of the next steps is to avoid unstructured hangouts for months and years…. Give them something to do and make use of their qualities!
Leida Schuringa
February 2016
Leida Schuringa is part of the SDi writers collective of CHE (Center for Human Emergence). This collective looks at social issues from Spiral Dynamics (www.spiraldynamicsintegral.nl) and thus offers insight into new solutions. Leida is the author of several books, including Dealing with Diversity; Working on a project basis for the non-profit sector and Community Empowerment in a developing country.
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