A City Says Yes! Reflections on The

A City Says Yes! @SÇSQbW]\a]\bVSSf^S`WS\QSa]TbVS Save MeQO[ÔWU\b]^`][]bS`STcUSS `SaSbbZS[S\bW\5S`[O\g 00/00 What is ICMC? What is PRO ASYL? What is SHARE? The International Catholic Migration PRO ASYL is an independent human rights SHARE is an 18-month programme led Commission (ICMC) serves and protects organisation based in Frankfurt am Main, by ICMC Europe to build a European uprooted people – refugees, internally Germany. In 1986, regional refugee councils, resettlement network of municipalities, displaced persons and migrants – churches, unions as well as welfare and cities and regions. The SHARE network regardless of faith, race, ethnicity or human rights organisations founded the creates sustainable relationships, nationality. Since its creation in 1951, Federal Working Group of PRO ASYL with disseminates best practices, builds ICMC has identified and accompanied the aim to defend the rights of refugees. capacity, creates partnerships and over one million refugees for resettlement. Today, the association of friends of strengthens commitments to refugee Additionally, ICMC provides expert PRO ASYL has around 16,000 members. protection. SHARE project activities offer resettlement personnel to UNHCR field PRO ASYL advocates a fair European structured dialogue, exchange of practices operations through the ICMC-UNHCR Asylum system and the protection of and networking between cities, regional Resettlement Deployment Scheme. refugees’ dignity in Germany and Europe actors and NGO partners and between Through its Turkey and Lebanon offices, through political advocacy, legal expertise experienced resettlement countries and the ICMC Refugee Support Centre (RSC) and public campaigning. The association countries planning or considering processes refugees for resettlement to the conducts international projects, resettlement. United States. The ICMC Europe office in investigates and documents basic Brussels works to promote resettlement in shortcomings (of European reception and Europe, develop the European Resettlement asylum systems), and offers legal advice Network (www.resettlement.eu) with its and financial support in exemplary cases. partners IOM and UNHCR, and build European resettlement capacity and expertise.

A City Says Yes! Contents 02 Foreword 05 What is refugee resettlement? 06 Introducing the ‘Save Me – A City Says Yes’ campaign 08 Advocating for an annual resettlement programme in Germany 09 The reality of resettlement – A refugee perspective 13 A look back at Germany’s past experience with resettlement 16 The development of Save Me: Events and milestones 21 Beyond the usual suspects – A view from CCME 23 Key to success of Save Me: Strong and diverse partnerships and alliances 28 Resettlement succeeds in close co-operation – A view from a Save Me partner city 31 Key to success of Save Me: Local and active websites 35 Key to success of Save Me: Building a strong network of supporters and mentors 42 Mentors’ experiences in Aachen: Introducing Ali and Tobias 44 Key to success of Save Me: Raising awareness through events and activities 49 What is the future for Save Me in Europe?

A City Says Yes! @SÇSQbW]\a]\bVSSf^S`WS\QSa]TbVS Save MeQO[ÔWU\b]^`][]bS`STcUSS `SaSbbZS[S\bW\5S`[O\g Foreword The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) and PRO ASYL are delighted to present to you ‘A City Says Yes’ – Reflections on the experiences of the Save Me campaign A City Says Yes! to promote refugee resettlement in Germany’. This publication looks at the 4 years since Learning from the the ‘Save Me – eine Stadt sagt ja’ i.e. ‘A City Says Yes’ campaign was launched, taking stock of its achievements and reflecting on the elements that have made the campaign Save Me campaign a success. This work is a product of the collaboration between PRO ASYL and ICMC in in Germany the SHARE programme: building a resettlement network of European municipalities, cities, regions and their civil society partners. With the SHARE network, ICMC works with a growing number of European cities, including the cities of Sheffield, Munich and Aachen, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and our non-governmental (NGOs) partners throughout Europe, to provide a platform for the exchange of successful experiences, approaches and practices that will strengthen local refugee reception and integration programmes and bring about more and better resettlement in Europe. We are sharing this publication with you as a contribution to that network and a renewed invitation to other partners and communities that may find it of interest.

Whilst refugee resettlement has grown steadily in Europe, with regular programmes now in 12 EU Member States, the total number of resettlement places Europe offers for refugees in need of protection is only around 5,500. This low share of the approximately 80,000 resettlement places that are available each year worldwide, is also far too little considering the protection needs and rapidly rising numbers of refugees currently ﬂeeing Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. The UN refugee agency estimates that 800,000 people globally will require resettlement within the next 5 years, and Europe can – and should – do more. Humanitarian and temporary admissions are of course very welcome initiatives, but more durable solutions, providing full legal status as refugees, under resettlement programmes, are urgently needed.

Germany is a recent resettlement country. Despite the country’s long experience of receiving refugees via organised programmes since the 1950s – including refugees from Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq

A City Says Yes! – the German government was for a long period not interested in having a regular UN resettlement programme. After much discussion and debate, the decision to do so was ﬁnally taken in 2011, and Germany will now receive 300 resettled refugees a year for the 3 years 2012–14.

In September 2012, a group of 195 men, women and children from Darfur (Sudan), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq and Somalia arrived in Germany, the first group to be resettled under the new programme. They were amongst the many who had fled the civil war in Libya, and had spent over a year in the UN-operated Shousha camp on the Tunisia- Libya border. Unable to return home or settle permanently in Tunisia, their only hope was that the UN refugee agency would find a country to accept them within a resettlement programme.

One can argue that receiving 300 resettled refugees a year is a very small number for a country of the size and standing of Germany. One can also take issue with the government’s decision not to grant those who are resettled the legal status of ‘refugee’, which has many important implications for their legal rights in Germany and their future integration. However, the government decision to commit to an annual resettlement programme was an important success for civil society that 4 years earlier had joined forces in a nationwide campaign for resettlement in Germany, ‘Save Me – A City Says Yes’. Originally begun in Munich and now with branches in over 50 German cities including Berlin, Bonn and Dresden, Save Me is promoted and supported by a coalition including PRO ASYL, Amnesty International, churches, welfare organisations and others.

By building support for refugee resettlement and protection amongst a broad cross- section of citizens and organisations at a time when the concept of solidarity is under increasing pressure, the Save Me campaign proves the veracity of the maxim ‘think global, act local’. The campaign’s message stretched far beyond the usual refugee advocates, reaching out to a wide range of supporters of varied political, ethnic and religious afﬁliations, age groups and professions.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 02/03 In 2013, there are over 7,000 individuals who have pledged their support to resettlement on the Save Me website, offering to act as ‘Paten/Patinnen’ – or mentors – to help refugees ﬁnd their way around their new town, improve their language, ﬁnd housing, complete forms and paperwork, and help children with their homework.

Save Me has heralded the emergence of a new – and in the context of asylum, unprecedented – type of cooperation between civil society and the German political authorities. These new partnerships will, if sustained, advance a culture of welcome in Germany that will beneﬁt all refugees and migrants who make their home there. The value of Save Me should not, therefore, be underestimated, and we hope the campaign’s success in bringing together communities and individuals for a common and positive purpose can be further duplicated.

This publication illustrates how ‘Save Me – A City Says Yes’ has contributed toward refugee protection and solidarity efforts throughout Germany. We hope it inspires many new actors and activists, communities and cities beyond Germany’s borders to make the case for refugee resettlement programmes across Europe. Each country and community will need to build its own programme, find specific solutions and develop its own formula, but there is much to be learned from the experiences of other cities and actors. Indeed, Save Me has already inspired a coalition of European NGOs and international organisations to launch the Europe-wide ‘Resettlement Saves Lives’ Günter Burkhardt campaign, advocating for Europe to provide significantly more places for resettled refugees each year. We invite you to visit www.resettlement.eu, join the campaign and follow the example of the many individuals and organisations who have already pledged their support and action, saying YES to resettlement!

Günter Burkhardt, Secretary General PRO ASYL, Germany Johan Ketelers Johan Ketelers, Secretary General ICMC

A City Says Yes! What is refugee • A durable solution for refugees alongside What resettlement is not voluntary repatriation and local The establishment of national and/or resettlement? integration in the country of asylum. European resettlement programmes complement existing European and/or Only a small percentage of all refugees national systems for dealing with the (1%) are actually resettled each year protection claims of asylum seekers that and UNHCR prioritises which cases are arrive spontaneously. Resettlement is proposed for resettlement, focusing not a potential substitute for states’ on the most in need and the most obligations to consider applications for What is resettlement? vulnerable refugees. asylum on their territory, nor does it The United Nations High Commissioner diminish the continuing need for states to for Refugees (UNHCR) deﬁnes resettlement Being a durable solution, resettlement strengthen their national asylum systems. as ‘the selection and transfer of refugees must ensure that integration in the new from a state in which they have sought country by offering refugees permanent In the EU context, resettlement should protection to a third country that admits residence status and eventual access to also not be confused with relocation. them – as refugees – with a permanent citizenship. The process of resettlement is Resettlement is a humanitarian residence status.’ [1] Refugee resettlement complex, gradual and full of challenges. instrument concerned with ‘solidarity’ has the following functions and objectives Resettlement should therefore not be with third countries outside the EU, and is: initiated until adequate resources and whereas relocation is concerned with • A protection tool for individual refugees coordinated programmes and services are intra-EU Member State solidarity. Until including those whose life, liberty, in place to support the integration needs now, relocation has been used to transfer safety, health or other fundamental of resettled refugees. These include initial only a limited number of recognized rights are at risk in the country where reception and orientation, interpretation, refugees from Malta to other EU countries. they have sought refuge. income support, housing, healthcare, • A solidarity instrument expressing language tuition, education and international solidarity with the third vocational training and services to countries that host the majority of the meet the speciﬁc needs, employment world’s refugees. support and social support.

1 UNHCR Resettlement Handbook, July 2011

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 04/05 Introducing the Using the slogan, ‘Save Me – A City Says Yes’ local initiatives campaign for local ‘Save Me – A City Says and regional authorities to say ‘Yes!’ to Yes’ campaign yearly resettlement of refugees in their cities. In most of the cities where Save Me campaigns are undertaken, city council resolutions expressing support for

Credit: Matthias Weinzierl Matthias Credit: resettlement were adopted. Through support from citizens and political What is Save Me? statements from cities, Save Me has There are too many refugees,’ humans The ‘Save Me – A City Says Yes’ is a German demonstrated to the federal government say. ‘There are too few humans,’ say the grassroots campaign, begun in early 2008 how German society was open to the idea refugees. I’m taking part because in Munich by the Bavarian and Munich of admitting more refugees. I’m human.” Refugee Councils, Refugio Munich and Petra Krüger, 51, (below) Kammerspiele München. Save Me In summary, the primary goals of Social worker, Bottrop advocates for German participation in the Save Me include: United Nations resettlement programme, seeks the implementation of an annual • More refugees resettled to Germany resettlement quota for Germany and • Strengthen the rights of resettled lobbies for the improved integration of refugees resettled refugees into German society. • Develop a new culture of welcome Save Me mobilises local support for and for refugees involvement in refugee resettlement in regions, cities and towns throughout Germany. Save Me recruits local people as supporters and mentors who pledge their time to support resettled refugees after they arrive, and lobbies municipal and city councils to declare their support for resettlement and for establishing a local resettlement programme.

A City Says Yes! An open grassroots alliance Save Me has an open concept, meaning Save Me… After 4 years, Save Me has grown into an that local groups decide on their own way alliance comprising over 50 communities, of doing things. They are not bound by • sends strong signals to the federal 7,000 volunteers, 60 national and regional membership and do not have any special government in support partners including PRO ASYL, Amnesty obligations. What happens on the ground of a resettlement programme. International, charitable institutions, depends on local decisions, and of course • is a chance to invest the subject of churches, unions, human rights and on whether there are refugees in the city asylum with positive and “active” refugee organisations, and many other or if any are expected to arrive in connotations. local organisations. The alliance is also the future. • ultimately promotes a welcoming supported by UNHCR. culture and opportunities The Save Me campaign is not dependent for all refugees. Altogether local Save Me initiatives, the on government funding and relies heavily Save Me network and the national support on volunteers. PRO ASYL has invested from PRO ASYL and others produce the funds to ensure national coordination, diversity and strength of the campaign. outreach and communication to groups PRO ASYL – a national non-governmental through the central website.[2] And organisation working for the protection exceptionally, the city of Munich granted of the rights of refugees – created the the Save Me campaign, via the Munich campaign website, offers technical help, Refugee Council, a part-time manager to distributes leaﬂets and other campaign assist the reception of refugees upon materials, keeps local groups informed their arrival in Munich, and organise about political developments, and volunteers to support them and refer organises national meetings at which them to relevant services. Save Me groups can discuss their demands and activities.

2 www.save-me-kampagne.de

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 06/07 Advocating for an The national refugee, human rights and Resettlement is but one pillar of refugee welfare organisations involved in the Save protection, and the work of Save Me in annual resettlement Me campaign followed the Iraqi operation advocating for resettled refugees was also programme in Germany closely and critically. The alliance strongly able to highlight issues affecting those in criticised the Königsteiner Schlüssel or exiting Germany’s asylum procedure. system of distribution for not taking The Save Me campaign pointed to account of the services that are available many important gaps in the German in local contexts, and sometimes isolating resettlement and asylum systems that refugees from those they travelled with were affecting refugees’ wellbeing and Unlike other European countries, Germany and/or friends and relatives they may human dignity, thus advocating for all hesitated for a long time before engaging have in a speciﬁc German town or city. refugees in Germany. in an annual resettlement programme. Analysing the Iraqi programme led With the ad-hoc resettlement of 2,501 Iraqi Save Me groups to further develop their refugees in 2009, Germany took the ﬁrst demands, and continue to lobby the steps toward developing a resettlement German government to adopt an annual programme. In 2011, after much discussion resettlement programme in accordance and debate, Germany decided to engage with the UNHCR framework for in an annual resettlement programme, resettlement. Save Me activists from different cities demonstrate receiving 300 resettled refugees every in Berlin with 5,000 lifebuoys year for the 3 years 2012–2014. Resettled Save Me’s demands refugees are distributed amongst the 16 federal states (Bundesländer), according • Resettle those in need of protection to the numerical distribution key (the • Issue Refugee Convention travel Königsteiner Schlüssel) for asylum seekers. documents The key is based on factors such as GDP • Remove obstacles to family reunion Berlin and population. When receiving the Iraqi • Make integration courses immediately refugees in 2009, the Federal Government available Me Save applied the asylum distribution key also • Facilitate access to the labour market for resettlement. • Free choice of place of residence Courtesy of of Courtesy • Provide adequate housing • Ensure support for local governments

A City Says Yes! The reality of Abdulkareem used to live in Baghdad with Can you describe how things were when his wife and their four children (currently you arrived in Germany? Was it like you resettlement – aged 16, 11, 7 and 4). His eldest daughter expected it to be? A refugee perspective has been severely mentally and physically When we came to Germany, we expected disabled since birth. His family lived a OÆàbQZOaaRSdSZ]^SRQ]c\b`geVS`S Introducing Abdulkareem, 47, Iraq prosperous and comfortable life until the SdS`gbVW\Ue]cZRPS]ÙO\WaSR^S`TSQbZgO\R war broke out. They were forced to flee to e]cZR`c\ZWYSQZ]QYe]`YBVS`SOZWbg]T]c` Syria in 2007, and in late 2009 the family O``WdOZb]6O\\]dSÒW`^]`beOaOaV]QY4`][ was resettled to Germany under the bVS`SeSeS`SbÒ\aTS``SRb];c\WQVPgQ]OQV ad-hoc programme to resettle 2,500 eVWQVb]]Y "V]cà4]`[gROcUVbS`bVWa Iraqi refugees. eOaTO`b]]Z]\UAVSQ]cZR\]bbOYSVS` a^SQWOZWaSReVSSZQVOW`T`][Ag`WO)W\abSOR Abdulkareem, what was your eSeS`SUWdS\OeVSSZQVOWÒbbVSOW`^]`bW\ situation like in Syria? 6O\\]dS`bVObeOa\]bRSaWU\SRT]`RWaOPZSR /TbS`VOdW\UÇSR7Ò_b]Ag`WO]càWbcObW]\ ^Sà]\aPcb]\ZgÆbb]bÒ\a^]`b]ZR^S]^ZS eOaRWTÆQcZbO\RW\aSQc`S(eSRWR\]bY\]e T]àV]`bRWabO\QSaESeS`SQ]\abO\bZg eVObe]cZRQ][S\SfbV]eZ]\UeSe]cZRPS OTÒWRbVOb]c`ROcUVbSè]cZRTOZZ]cb]T OPZSb]abOgO\ReVObbVSTcbc`Se]cZRV]ZR bVSQVOW`BVWaUOdScabVSW[^`SaaW]\bVOb ESRWR\]b`SQSWdSO\ga]QWOZac^^]`bSWbVS` `SaSbbZS[S\beOa\]bOeSZZ^`SÔ`SRO\R T`][bVS]TÆQWOZaWRS]`bVS<5=aSfQS^b ]ÙO\WaSR^`]UÒ[[S T]Ò[]\bVZgT]]RÔQYOUSUWdS\b]caPg C<61@BVSaWbcObW]\T]`[gRWaOPZSR ESa]]\eS`S^`]dWRSReWbVOPOaWQZO\UcOUS ROcUVbS`W\Ô`bWQcZOèOadS`gRWTÆQcZb Q]càSESÆàb\SSRSRb]abOgW\OQO[^ AVSQ]cZR\]bUSb^VgaWQOZbVSÒ^gO\R]T O\RWbeOaRWTÆQcZbb]Æ\RO\OÔ`b[S\b;g Q]càSbVS`SeS`S\]aQV]]Za]`[SRWQOZ g]c\USabQVWZRVORb]eOWbT]ÒYW\RSÙO`bS\ QS\b`SaUWdW\Uac^^]`b ^ZOQST]`be]gSOàBVSZOeaO\R`SUcZObW]\a O`SQ][^ZWQObSRO\ReS`S\]bSf^ZOW\SRb]ca `STcUSSa/\R]TQ]càSQZSO`Zg\]bS\]cUV ^`SÔÒbW]\VORPSS\[ORSb]b`SOb[g ROcUVbS`W\O\O^^`]^`WObSeOg

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 08/09 The authorities did not take care of us: there Did your situation improve by eOa\]]TÆQSW\QVOÙS]TcaeVWQVeSQ]cZR resettling to Germany? bc`\b]T]`VSZÔ\R\]dWaWbaPgabObS]TÆQWOZa GSaRSÆ\WbSZg<]eOTbS`bV`SSgSOàeSZWdSW\ b]bVSQO[ÊVObVSZ^SRcab]RSOZeWbVOZZ ]c`]e\OÔ`b[S\bbVSQVWZR`S\U]b]aQV]]Z ]c`RWTÆQcZbWSaObbVSPSUW\\W\UeOabVS O\R[gRWaOPZSRROcUVbSÒbbS\RaOa^SQWOZ ac^^]`bPg<5=a\O[SZg1O`WbOaO\RAOdS aQV]]ZES`SQSWdSSfQSZZS\b[SRWQOZQO`SO\R ;SO\RbVSd]Zc\bSSàe]`YW\UeWbVbVS[ O`SZSO`\W\UbVSZO\UcOUSW\]`RS`b]W\bSUÒbS 7¿[`SOZZgUÒbSTcZT]`bVOb W\b]a]QWSbg0g\]eeSc\RSàbO\R[O\g]T bVS5S`[O\ZOeaO\RQcab][aeSY\]ebVS You were sent to Munich where it is QWbgO\RWbaQcZbc`SWbaa^]`baTOQWZWbWSaO\R RWTÆQcZbb]Æ\RO\OTT]`ROPZSO\RacWbOPZS S\bS`bOW\[S\bdS\cSa/\RbVS[]ab V]caW\USa^SQWOZZgT]`g]c`RWaOPZSR W[^]`bO\bbVW\U(eS\]eTSSZaSQc`S]c`TSSb ROcUVbS`2WRg]cbVW\YOP]cb[]dW\U- O`SÆ`[Zg]\bVSU`]c\RO\ReSR]\¿bZWdSW\ GSa7eO\bSRb]U]b];OW\heVS`S7VOdS TSO`]TbVSTcbc`S]`]TP`SOQVSa]T]c`Vc[O\ `SZObWdSaO\ReVS`SeS^`]POPZgQ]cZRVOdS `WUVbaESY\]ebVObSdS`gabSêSbOYSORRa T]c\ROacWbOPZSÇOb;g`SZObWdSaQ]cZR b]PcWZRW\U]c`\SeZWTSW\5S`[O\g VOdSVSZ^SR[SeWbV[O\gbVW\UaacQV OabÒ\aZObW\UZSbbSàO\Rc\RSàbO\RW\U EVObabWZZ^`]dSaRWTÆQcZbWaW[^`]dW\U]c` 5S`[O\a]QWSbgWbaZOeaO\RQcab][a0cb 5S`[O\O\ROaO`SacZbÆ\RW\UOX]PeVWQV PSQOcaSW\5S`[O\g`SaSbbZSR`STcUSSaR] WabVSPOQYP]\S]TO\g^`]a^S`]caZWTS7eO\b \]b`SQSWdSTcZZ`STcUSSabObcaeSeS`S\]b b]Æ\ROX]POaO\S\UW\SSÒa7]\QSeOa OZZ]eSRb][]dSb];OW\h =dSÒZZeSTSSZeS`SOZZgVOdSOV][S\]e ESeO\bb]PSÔ`b]TbVWaa]QWSbgbVObVOa bOYS\caW\O\RaVSZbS`SRcaRc`W\UVO`R bW[SaO\RUOdSca[O\gbVW\Ua]c`]e\ V][SZO\RVOR\]bUWdS\ca

A City Says Yes! Save Me demands to the German This includes selecting those refugees that Germany. Since UNHCR determines that government, the federal states have language and professional skills or resettled refugees are Convention refugees and local authorities particular ethnic, religious persuasions during the resettlement selection process The challenges that resettled refugees like and/or political affiliations. The Save Me that takes place outside of Germany, Abdulkareem have faced point to the need campaign points to how the use of such Save Me demands that resettled refugees to develop a resettlement programme integration potential criteria moves are granted full refugee status in Germany, that ensures adequate legal rights, and resettlement beyond the realm of are issued with the corresponding refugee post-arrival measures and coordination individual protection, and demands that travel document (so called GFK or Geneva mechanisms are in place when people the government follows UNHCR priorities. passports) and a permanent residence arrive, so as to facilitate refugees starting permit immediately on arrival in Germany. their new lives as soon as possible. 2 Provide resettled refugees with full 3 The Save Me campaign has formulated a refugee status, residence permit and Remove obstacles to family reunion number of demands directed toward the Geneva Passport When family members of refugees stay German government, states and local In the absence of a legal framework for behind in countries of origin or asylum, authorities in the context of an annual resettlement, the German government this always causes distress for resettled resettlement programme in Germany applies a legal provision from the early refugees. The German residency law delivered in cooperation with UNHCR, 1990s used to permit the entry into hampers family reunion – for example listed below: Germany of Jews from the former Soviet by requiring financial guarantees and Union. Resettled refugees are not granted language tests prior to the family 1 Convention refugee status, but instead member’s arrival – making family Resettle those in need of protection receive humanitarian status. This means reunification almost impossible to UNHCR chooses which refugees in the that resettled refugees are not afforded achieve. Save Me demands the elimination world will be prioritised for resettlement, many of the legal benefits attached to of the excessive restrictions so that family selecting those refugees that are the refugee status – such as the automatic reunion is attainable for resettled refugees. most vulnerable or have the most urgent right to family reunification and the right protection needs. The German federal to move to a location of their choosing government makes use of some additional within Germany. They receive only a criteria to select refugees it will accept for temporary residence permit and cannot resettlement in Germany – such as their apply for permanent residency until they “integrateability” into German society. have spent a period of 7 years living in

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 10/11 4 6 Make integration courses Freedom to choose where to live accommodation -so-called ‘Lager’ or immediately available Unlike other refugees in Germany, those ‘camps’ which is wholly unacceptable. As recognized refugees and migrants in who are resettled are not permitted to Save Me demands that local government Germany, resettled refugees are entitled choose freely their place of residence engage more actively in the provision of to access German language learning within Germany. To continue receiving adequate housing for resettled refugees. and cultural orientation programmes financial and accommodation support, on arrival. However, demand for courses resettled refugees currently must remain 8 outstrips supply, and in reality resettled in the municipality to which they are Accountability and financial refugees often encounter long waiting initially allocated. They are in theory support from local government times before they can begin courses. permitted to apply to move to a Cities and municipalities should – as far To enable resettled refugees to begin different location, but in practice these as possible – provide suitable conditions the integration process without delay, applications are almost always refused. for social integration. When resettled Save Me demands that resettled refugees This arrangement is administratively refugees arrive they must be properly are able to access language and orientation unnecessary, and also prevents resettled received, shown their way and referred courses as soon as possible after arriving refugees from improving conditions for to relevant services that can properly in their new municipality. their own integration by making use of address their needs. While Save Me cities the support and resources available from and states are particularly receptive to 5 family and social networks in other these ideas in theory, in practice financial Facilitate access to the labour market locations in Germany. Save Me demands support made available for resettlement is Refugees are entitled to unlimited access that these restrictions are lifted. insufficient. Save Me is ready to engage in to the labour market and should receive supporting refugees, but cannot absolve assistance to find employment. At present, 7 the state and the municipalities of their employment agencies are not sufficiently Provide adequate housing responsibilities in this regard. informed and engaged to offer adequate Refugees can only begin the integration help to resettled refugees in finding process when they have a decent place to employment. Save Me demands that live. In practice, the majority of German resettled refugees receive the support local authorities have not actively engaged and assistance they need in order to find in the provision of housing for resettled employment and to make the best use of refugees. Many resettled refugees are first their skills and experience. placed in poor quality and overcrowded

A City Says Yes! A look back at Germany’s Since 1991 more than 200,000 Eastern European Jews have been allowed to enter past experience with Germany under a special agreement. resettlement The agreement aimed both to alleviate the difficult situation of the Jewish population in the disintegrated Soviet Union and to preserve the viability of Jewish communities in Germany. For a long time, Jewish refugees were subject Resettlement is not new to Germany; to the same regulations as those entitled although Germany did not participate in a to asylum – later, the conditions for 1985 Astrom, L UNHCR, of Courtesy formal refugee resettlement programme immigration were tightened. Vietnamese refugee children playing in the snow until recently, several ad-hoc resettlement efforts have taken place over the past When the bloodiest war in Europe since The 20,000 people who fled the NATO decades – beginning with the admission 1945 was raging in Bosnia-Herzegovina in intervention in Kosovo in 1999 did not of 13,000 Hungarian refugees in the 1950s. 1991, Bosnian refugees could obtain a visa fare better. Their residence permits were in cases where private third parties would not renewed after one year and they were In the space of several years from the late pay their accommodation and living costs. forced to return. 1970s onwards, Germany admitted a total More than 300,000 Bosnian refugees of approximately 26,000 Vietnamese came to Germany with a temporary status. From 2008, 2,500 Iraqi refugees were and Cambodian boat people. These relief Despite their de facto integration, they allowed to enter the country from Syria efforts were accompanied by a wave of were not granted permanent residence and Jordan. Many were members of public compassion and charity. By the permits. Immediately after the Dayton religious minorities including Christians, mid-1980s, those who arrived had gained Agreement in 1995, Germany pressured Mandaeans and Yazidi. Following a permanent residence status as so-called the majority of those concerned to leave joint decision by the federal states “quota refugees” and were able to the country. Of the few who stayed in (Bundesländer), the resettled refugees integrate quickly and successfully. Germany, many remained in very poor were admitted permanently as part of an social conditions for years. ad-hoc resettlement exercise. They were the first group of resettled refugees that would benefit from local support from the Save Me mentors.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 12/13 Despite these efforts, the German government refused for a long time to commit to an annual UN resettlement programme that would receive refugees with special protection needs. Such refugees have often stayed for many years in protracted refugee situations, and include vulnerable groups such as women, children and adolescents at risk, those with special medical needs, survivors of torture and violence and persecuted minorities. Looking back at German history, it is clear that Germany has always had the capability and the means for generous and lasting admission of refugees. This is why Save Me continues to campaign for a permanent resettlement programme for Germany, and a significant annual quota that reflects Germany’s size and economic affluence. Courtesy of Flüchtlingsrat Karlsruhe, 1992 Karlsruhe, Flüchtlingsrat of Courtesy Bosnian refugees arrive in Karlsruhe in 1992

A City Says Yes! BVSÆ`ab7`O_W`STcUSSaO``WdSW\6O\\]dS`W\ ' Courtesy of K Löffelbein, 2009 Löffelbein, K of Courtesy

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 14/15 The development of Save Me: Events and milestones

2008

The grassroots campaign numbers of resettlement places and an responds and commits to resettle 2,500 ‘Save Me – A City Says Yes’ is founded in annual resettlement programme. However, Iraqis (2,000 from Syria and 500 from Jordan) Munich in early 2008, coinciding with in federal Germany the responsibility for the in 2009. Priority will be given to persecuted Munich’s 850th anniversary. A wide range of admission of refugees lies with the federal minorities (mostly Christians), vulnerable citizens demand the admission of refugees to government and the states, and it will QOaSaeWbVa^SQWÆQ[SRWQOZ\SSRa Munich and publicly pledge personal support. therefore take still some time before Munich (including traumatised victims of persecution) The aim is to obtain a council resolution by the welcomes any resettled refugees. It becomes and female-headed households who have city of Munich, pledging support to resettle 850 clear that Save Me’s work has just begun. family in Germany. Additionally, integration refugees through the UNHCR resettlement capacity is considered, taking in individual programme. The rationale of the campaign is this: If many refugees’ level of education, work experience, cities say “Yes!” to the admission of refugees language skills and/or family ties. Together with One day after the 850th volunteer registered, under a resettlement programme, national other NGOs, including Amnesty International, the Green Party submits a supporting and state policies will eventually have to >@=/AG:\]bSabVSRSQWaW]\OaOÆ`ababS^ resolution to Munich City Council, which address the issue as well. and continues to demand a higher number is approved unanimously. Linked to the of resettled refugees and an annual resolution, the City of Munich pledges to Responding to multiple demands, Germany resettlement programme. provide housing and social assistance for the wants to engage in a response to the Iraqi refugees once they arrive. Save Me forms an refugee crisis and calls for a Europe-wide alliance with various national organisations, response. In November 2008, the European including Amnesty International, and works Council Conclusions call for EU Member on the common goal of demanding higher States to resettle Iraqis. Germany formally

A City Says Yes! Courtesy of K Löffelbein K of Courtesy 2009

PRO ASYL and the Between March 2009 and April 2010, and Bavarian Refugee after many months of debate, a total of Council launch the Save Me campaign at 2,501 Iraqi refugees who had been in Syria national level. In co-operation with UNHCR, and Jordan arrive in Germany as part of an Iraqi refugees are welcomed in Hannover in 2009 PRO ASYL campaigns with 50 national ad-hoc resettlement plan. They travel to agencies for the introduction of a the central reception centre in Friedland. The campaign’s successful contribution resettlement programme in Germany. They receive a separate legal status and a to this ad-hoc resettlement plan was Others involved include Amnesty International, temporary residence permit with the option instrumental in the establishment of the new charitable organisations, churches, trade of renewal after three years. German programme to receive 300 resettled unions, and human rights and refugee refugees per year from 2012. organisations. Together, they jointly publish The Iraqi refugees are distributed over the their demands for a resettlement programme 16 federal states according to the distribution By the end of 2009, over 40 Save Me in a special brochure. key that also applies to asylums seekers. initiatives have been launched in Germany, Only a few cities – such as Munich and drawing membership from churches, The Bavarian founders of the Save Me Aachen – welcome refugees locally and Amnesty International groups, refugee campaign introduce their ideas to many provide practical support. Save Me follows the initiatives and members of the public. cities by giving a series of lectures. admissions on a political level and analyses 5,000 supporters have shown solidarity bVSeSOY\SaaSaO\RRSÆQWS\QWSaW\bVS online by providing their names, photographs PRO ASYL launches the Save Me website resettlement admission process. and a personal statement. The new Save for Save Me groups, and provides technical Me groups have obtained 18 city council support, information and campaign materials. resolutions by the year’s end.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 16/17 2010 2011 2012

In cities such as Munich and Aachen, In December 2011, a political breakthrough 6OdW\UÇSRbVSeO`W\:WPgOOU`]c^]T mentoring work with the Iraqi refugees is in is achieved – the federal government and '$`STcUSSaO`S`SaSbbZSRT`][AV]caVO progress. In addition, Save Me continues as a the states decide to sign up to an annual QO[^W\Bc\WaWOO\RO``WdSW\5S`[O\g political programme, and through numerous resettlement programme to resettle 300 BVSgO`SbVSÆàb`SaSbbZSRc\RS`bVS\Se events and activities Save Me groups in refugees annually over the course of three O\\cOZ`SaSbbZS[S\b^`]UÒ[[S4]`[]ab Germany continue to campaign for an annual years (2012–2014 – 900 refugees in total). d]Zc\bSSàWbWabVSÆàbbW[SbVSgOQbcOZZgaSS resettlement programme. Film screenings, `SaSbbZSR`STcUSSaW\bVSW`QWbgO\RbVSg\]e discussions, sports events and other By the end of 2011, there are over 50 Save TOQSbVSW`Æàb`SOZ^ÒQbWQOZbSab:]QOZO\R activities are organised. Supporters are Me groups, and the number of supporters `SUW]\OZOcbV]`WbWSaO`SOZa]]\OZSO`\W\U recruited at stands set up at local festivals continues to rise. 46 city council resolutions Qc`dSºbVS`SWa\]R]cPbbVObbVSaS\Se and in local centres. have been obtained. O``WdOZaeWZZabOgO\ReWZZ\SSRW\bSUÒbW]\ ac^^]`baS`dWQSaOaa]]\Oa^]aaWPZSEWbV bVWaW\[W\RbVSOcbV]`WbWSaW\Q`SOaSbVSW` STT]`bab]`Sa^]\Rb]bVSW`\SSRaO\RUWdS bVS[O^]aWbWdSeSZQ][S

>@=/AG:O\RbVSQWbWSa]T/OQVS\O\R ;c\WQVS\UOUSb]USbVSÒaÔ`b\SàW\bVS 71;1ZSR¼1WbWSabVOb1O`S1WbWSabVObA6/@3 ºbVSA6/@3>`]XSQb½PcWZRW\UO3c`]^SO\ `SaSbbZS[S\b\Sbe]`Y]T[c\WQWÔZWbWSa QWbWSaO\R`SUW]\a

A City Says Yes! Aachen Save Me Save Courtesy of IOM 2012 IOM of Courtesy Courtesy of of Courtesy

Save Me Aachen celebrate receiving their award

In July 2012, the work of the North Rhine-Westphalia region’s Save Me campaign is recognised in the national, government-sponsored award competition 6SZ^W\U`STcUSSaeV]ÇSRT`][:WPgOb]Bc\WaWO “Active for Democracy and Tolerance”. abO`b\SeZWdSaW\5S`[O\g The award is received by Sabine Kaldorf from the Bonn Save Me campaign and Ingeborg In May 2012, Save Me takes part in the EU Heck-Böckler from Amnesty International in Resettlement Skills Share Day in Brussels. Aachen, on behalf of all the city campaigns in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Resettlement Saves Lives Campaign is launched calling for the resettlement of In September 2012, Schwäbisch Hall 20,000 refugees each year in Europe in Baden-Württemberg becomes the by the year 2020. The campaign is inspired by 50th German city to pledge to admit

the Save Me campaign and receives support Network Resettlement European The of Courtesy resettled refugees. from EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Save Me inspires a campaign for Europe Cecilia Malmström.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 18/19 2013+

Not all Save Me groups have received resettled 4 years after its creation, refugees in their cities. New cities such as the Save Me campaign Darmstadt have joined the Save Me campaign. is still urgent, relevant The government announces that during 2013 and alive! PRO ASYL is quota refugees will be received from Turkey. campaigning for a aWU\WÆQO\b`SaSbbZS[S\b The war in Syria is ongoing and the refugee ^`]U`O[[SeWbVO crisis expands throughout the Middle East \c[PS`bVObQ]``Sa^]\Ra region. PRO ASYL, Amnesty International and b]bVSaWhSO\RSQ]\][WQ Save Me call for a comprehensive response to QO^OQWbg]T5S`[O\g The PRO ASYL campaign calls for the protection of the refugee crisis, including increased family `STcUSSaÇSSW\UAg`WO `Sc\WÆQObW]\^]aaWPWZWbWSaa]ZWRO`WbgeWbV Save Me continues to be an important countries at the borders of Europe, and a political campaign working for greater aWU\WÆQO\b\c[PS`]T`SaSbbZS[S\b^ZOQSa resettlement numbers, the protection of for Syrians with urgent protection needs. the legal rights of refugees, a welcoming The German government announces that it culture in Germany and adequate will be taking in 5,000 refugees from Syria. integration support measures. However, in April 2013 it is still unclear under what arrangement and status these refugees would be received in Germany.

A City Says Yes! Beyond the usual Looking back on almost 5 years of the have become involved in refugee issues. Save Me campaign, it looks like its success Supporters had the possibility to suspects – A view was certain from the start. The diverse, individually formulate why they were from CCME colourful and decentralised network supportive and to tailor-make what they which characterises Save Me now seems would do – ‘I join, because… by doing…’. By Torsten Moritz, Executive Secretary, like a given, and the impact which Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Save Me has had almost natural. Supporters were made visible via central Europe (CCME) and local websites, so giving the campaign However, in 2008, few would have many faces and spreading the message predicted that such a small and unusual beyond the ‘usual suspects’. Whilst campaign initially limited to the city of refugee-supporting organisations, Munich’s 850th anniversary celebrations churches and political groups played a role would have had such a major impact. in starting and sustaining Save Me, what The general climate did not seem too made a real impression in the public encouraging – advocating for refugees perception were the thousands of and their rights had not been particularly unattached individuals introduced by successful in Germany during the previous name, age and profession who supported two decades, and the community of the campaign. They showed how it was those advocating for refugee rights was not only the caricature of the left-leaning becoming restricted to a decreasing social worker, but also the housewife, number of ‘usual suspects’. the nurse and the engineer – people ‘like you and me’ who supported refugees One of the major successes of Save Me was coming to Germany. Also it was of great that it managed to reach out to many new importance that supporters were not only actors, going beyond the ‘usual suspects’. making demands to policy makers, but By enabling supporters to engage (pledge) expressed that they were willing to be in one very speciﬁc activity or commitment personally involved and were prepared related to refugee resettlement without to make a practical contribution towards necessarily having to commit to a whole making resettlement a reality. set of demands, Save Me prompted support from many who would not normally

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 20/21 The campaign also involved unusual ‘VIP’ Whilst their engagement was initially German welfare system and tried to limit supporters – theatre actors, a local ice- limited to supporting resettlement for the arrival of refugees wherever possible, hockey team and others. Public Save Me Iraqi Christians, it opened a discussion this is a major achievement and one activities often had a very creative which until then had not occured amongst worth celebrating! element, such as when Save Me Munich the political centre and centre-right in visualised their message with an armada Germany. The support of centre-right of plastic lifeboats spread on the city’s politicians for refugee resettlement was central Marienplatz. The approach of in many ways decisive in the eventual building broad support in many locations decision of the federal government to made it easier for city councils to offer resettle 2,500 Iraqi refugees. political support for the campaign. In many cities, all political parties, left, Save Me’s broad appeal has, at least partly, right and centre, supported the initiative, prompted a shift in the public perception preventing it from being perceived as the of refugees in Germany. It was a Christian “pet” of one specific political group. Democrat regional integration minister who first called for a ‘culture of welcome’ An additional factor, probably only (Willkommenskultur) for the arriving indirectly related to the Save Me campaign, Iraqi refugees and acknowledged the was the support from unexpected political important contribution of local support sources for Germany to begin resettling initiatives for the reception. Another first refugees. Members of Parliament from could be observed: due to the geographic the centre-right Christian Democrat party, distribution of the 2,500 Iraqi refugees, which had traditionally argued for a most cities with Save Me campaigns only very restrictive asylum policy, were received a handful of refugees. Given the instrumental in prompting Germany’s massive involvement of Save Me activists, engagement in the joint EU resettlement local authorities now said that they would of Iraqi refugees in 2009. Their involvement have been able to welcome more refugees was in some locations supported by in their city – something so far unheard (parts of) Save Me, in most other cases of. In a country in which the political the Iraqi diaspora or party members mainstream had for decades mainly had played an important role. associated refugees with ‘abuse’ of the

A City Says Yes! Key to success of Save Me: Since 2008, the Save Me campaign has In order to reach as wide a cross section worked with over 50 national and regional of the general public as possible, many Strong and diverse organisations and countless local groups Save Me groups have reached beyond more partnerships and and bodies, including refugee councils, ‘traditional’ campaign partners to secure welfare organisations, political parties, public support from a diverse – and alliances – Securing community centres, church congregations, often surprising – range of actors and support of city councils cultural institutions and artists. The open institutions, many of whom have never local concept of Save Me allows each city been associated with refugee protection campaign to tailor their alliances and before. For example, Save Me Kassel The Save Me campaign has been partnerships to their particular context, received support from the Kassel Huskies, particularly successful in building stimulating creative and unique an ice hockey team in the German premier awareness of and support for refugee partnerships and enabling each group to league and Save Me Düsseldorf secured the resettlement programmes, both amongst work toward their speciﬁc local objectives. symbolic support of “Die Toten Hosen”, the general public and the political a punk band from the city famous authorities in the municipalities and For example, the Save Me group of Berlin, throughout Germany. The public support cities where Save Me groups have been representing the capital of Germany, of these famous groups, being clearly established. The strong and diverse primarily works to promote public and visible on the Save Me website, has partnerships and alliances created by and political support for refugee resettlement inspired many other citizens to join engaged in Save Me at national, regional at both the national and local levels, the campaign. and local levels have played a central role developing and distributing information, in this success. This has been an important holding public events and ensuring local Some Save Me groups have been working factor contributing to the success of the visibility of Save Me. The group works in particularly polarised local political campaign. By positioning Save Me within closely with a professional advice centre contexts. In Dresden, for example, where an overall framework for a more humane that provides direct assistance for refugees the political far-right is active and German asylum policy, the campaign living in the city. Their mutual activities inﬂuential, the local Save Me campaign promotes more tolerance towards and thus complement each other, promoting was initially branded as ‘leftist’ and solidarity with refugees and other both local awareness of refugee ‘sectarian’ by its political opponents. newcomers in general. resettlement and support and legal Save Me Dresden was able to obtain the assistance for refugees and asylum united support of local political factions: seekers in Berlin. the Greens, the Socialist Party and the Left as well as that of the churches and a

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 22/23 number of prominent citizens. The broad alliance that was created managed to obtain a majority for the motion ‘Accept refugees- Dresden supports the Save Me Campaign – A City Says Yes’, overruling the Christian Democrat majority in the council.

For many Save Me groups, local partners included the municipal and city authorities responsible for working with newcomers in their cities. In those cities that eventually received resettled refugees, building such relationships ahead of the start of a resettlement programme meant that the city authorities included Save Me as an active and operational partner in resettlement arrival planning, reception and integration processes and structures. In Dresden, for example, lobbying and forging of alliances with the Dresden’s Commissioners for Foreigners and Integration, meant that when 10 Iraqi refugees arrived in the city in October 2012,

Save Me Dresden was asked to coordinate Aachen International Amnesty of Courtesy the mentoring programme. The initial Raising awareness about Save Me in Aachen investment in establishing local relationships thus secured Save Me an active role in improving the resettlement and integration experiences of the refugees received by the city.

A City Says Yes! 51 City Councils Say Yes! Passed by unanimous decision on They highlighted to the federal Strong and diverse alliances and 26th of September 2012: government that municipalities and cities partnerships have proven particularly 1. “The city of Schwäbisch Hall welcomes were partners in the Save Me campaign, effective in achieving the core Save Me aim the Save Me campaign by PRO ASYL, supportive of Germany engaging in a of securing the support of municipal and Amnesty International and other resettlement programme, and willing city councils. As of 2013, 51 city councils organisations, and supports the and able to contribute to its success by have passed resolutions in which they initiative’s endeavour to implement and themselves receiving resettled refugees. stated their support for a national refugee expand in Germany the programme resettlement programme and their “Resettlement” which was established Of particular interest is how a few cities willingness to receive resettled refugees by the United Nations High even mentioned a specific number of in their towns and cities, as shown on the Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).” refugees they would be willing to receive. next page. 2. “Therefore the city of Schwäbisch Hall For example, Schwäbisch Hall expressed calls upon the federal government to its willingness to receive 35 refugees The most prominent of the motions for a significantly increase the admission within the annual quota of 300. council decision was that in which the city limit agreed at the interior ministers’ of Munich pledged to celebrate the 850th conference in December 2011 (300 Although the success of Save Me in anniversary of the city by receiving persons annually for the next three Germany can mainly be attributed to the resettled refugees. The council resolutions years) and to make available the means work of local campaigns, Save Me has had that were adopted generally followed necessary for a successful integration an impact on some city administrations a template text provided by Save Me, process. To this end the city of that did not benefit from the presence of a and several councils specified in their Schwäbisch Hall pledges to admit local campaign. For example, the city of resolution texts the number of refugees 35 refugees and calls upon the country Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, a state that they would be willing to receive in to act accordingly to bring about an where 12 council decisions were adopted, their town or city. increase of the admission capacity.” passed a resolution saying ‘Yes’ to resettlement without the presence of A typical example is the following The 51 council resolutions, in many cases a local Save Me group. The resolutions resolution of the city of Schwäbisch Hall adopted by a coalition of political parties reinforced the message that the political in the region of Baden-Württemberg. from the left, centre and sometimes also will and support for refugee resettlement the right, represented a significant political was spreading to cities throughout achievement and are a great success of the Germany. Save Me campaign.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 24/25 German Federal States (Bundesländer) Cities that have passed city council resolutions in support of resettlement

Baden-Württemberg [12] Brandenburg Lower Saxony [3] Saarland Freiburg (2011) Braunschweig (2012) Heidelberg (2009) Bremen [1] Goslar (2011) Saxony [2] Karlsruhe (2010) Bremen (2011) Hannover (2009 Dresden (2011) Kirchzarten (2012) Leipzig (2010) Lörrach (2010) Hamburg North Rhine-Westphalia [9] Mannheim (2011) Aachen (2008) Saxony-Anhalt Reutlingen (2009) Hesse [7] Bochum (2011) Schwäbisch Hall (2012) Frankfurt am Main (2011) Bonn (2009) Schleswig-Holstein [4] Stuttgart (2011) Gießen (2010) Düsseldorf (2009) Glinde (2009) Tübingen (2009) Hanau (2009) Cologne (2010) Kiel (2009) Ulm (2009) Hochheim/Main (2010) Herzogenrath (2011) Lübeck (2010) Waiblingen (2011) Hofheim/Taunus (2010) Leverkusen (2011) North Frisia (2010) Kassel (2010) Lünen (2012) Bavaria [3] Marburg (2010) Vlotho (2011) Thuringia [2] Lauf (2011) Erfurt (2009) Munich (2008) Mecklenburg-Western Rhineland-Palatinate [3] Jena (2012) Nuremberg (2010) Pomerania [4] Bad Kreuznach Kreis Greifswald (2009) District (2010) Berlin [1] Neubrandenburg (2009) Bad Kreuznach Stadt Berlin (2010) Rostock (2009) City (2010) Schwerin (2009) Mainz (2009)

A City Says Yes! Cities that have created Kassel Cities that said Yes! a local campaign Krefeld Lauf Cities that have Aachen Leipzig created a local campaign Arnstadt Leverkusen Augsburg Lörrach Bad Kreuznach Magdeburg Berlin Mainz Bonn Mannheim Bremen Marburg Chemnitz Mülheim Cologne Munich Darmstadt Murnau Dinslaken Neubrandenburg Dresden Neuwied Düsseldorf Nuremberg – Fürth Forchheim – Erlangen Frankfurt am Main Pfalz Freiburg Regensburg Freising Reutlingen Fulda Rostock Gießen Schleswig Holstein/Kiel Greifswald Schwabach Hagen Schwäbisch-Hall Halle Schwerin Hamburg Tübingen Hannover Ulm Heidelberg Waiblingen Heilbronn Werder Hofheim Werrer-Meißner Kreis Jena District

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 26/27 Resettlement succeeds Aachen city council passed a resolution to In your view, how successful was the admit Iraqi refugees to the city as early as admission of Iraqi refugees in Aachen in close co-operation – 2009, and in 2012 Aachen was one of the and how are things currently progressing A view from a Save Me Æ`abQWbWSab]OR[Wb`SaSbbZS[S\b`STcUSSa with the resettled refugees? Why is it that Aachen has such a positive Currently about 45 resettled refugees partner city attitude towards refugees? from Iraq and Somalia live in Aachen. The Interview with Hilde Scheidt, Aachen is situated close to the borders with resettlement programme here was organised Deputy Mayor of Aachen Holland and Belgium, and this location and by the NGOs together with the churches and the long history of this border region have the social services. From the outset, even shaped the people in this European region. during the preparatory phase, there was close To cross a border is part of everyday life, and cooperation between paid staff of the partner the fate of refugees has always played a organisations and Save Me volunteers. central role here. During the terrible times of the Third Reich, courageous individuals in our Many preceding conversations and planning QWbgaOdSR[O\gZWdSaPgVSZ^W\U^S]^ZSÇSS meetings between all those involved meant the Nazi regime. These memories are alive that the admission process for the refugees and evident in many projects at the borders. was organised to make the refugees feel And so the inhabitants of this region, with its welcome in Aachen from day one, and could eventful history, are especially called upon to get quickly used to their new surroundings. be attentive and tolerant. We planned language courses, nursery and school places for the children and established The council resolution for the admission of close contact with the mentors of the Save resettlement refugees was unanimous and Me campaign. Many meetings have been and led to a great increase in local cooperation are still being organised to discuss everyday and willingness to help. It was important to the matters with the refugees, the volunteers and city council of Aachen that we gave this clear the full-time employees, and there are regular signal for the admission of refugees through meetings with the mentors to exchange ideas. our resolution. In my view, resettlement can only be successful with close cooperation such as this.

A City Says Yes! What is your message for other cities that There is also a dedicated budget for the local authorities and NGOs working on the are ready to accept refugees? What is the furnishing the houses, additional support programmes in each city. In conversations responsibility of the municipality, and through – for example – advice centres, with the refugees there it was particularly what should be the respective roles of the integration support, translators, language impressive to sense the strength and courage municipality and the volunteers? courses for asylum applicants, and the in their decision on resettlement. It also A municipality that wishes to receive coordination of resettlement. became very clear that a new beginning is resettled refugees has to provide manpower ]TbS\dS`gRWTÆQcZbO\R`S_cW`SaOZ]b]T O\RÆ\O\QWOZ`Sa]c`QSa]dSÒZ]\U^S`W]R]T The positive return on such an investment patience and perseverance from all time. The administration needs the political can be seen time and again – these are highly involved parties. Anyone who has seen the will of the council to pass the necessary skilled people with many abilities, they learn to documentary “Moving to Mars” that was resolutions and allocate the necessary speak the language within a very short time, [ORSÔ`bZgW\AVSTÆSZReWZZc\RSàbO\RbVS budget, and NGOs and volunteers have to are quickly integrated and want to stand on `STcUSSa¿aWbcObW]\BVWaÆZ[WaRSÆ\WbSZg be heard as equal partners in all decisions. their own two feet. We maintain that what worth seeing! There were many interesting This creates the best atmosphere for the a community clearly signals through open, conversations that left lasting impressions people who are in need of our help. transparent and a clearly deliberate and encounters with many wonderful people. admission of refugees is this – “here are For myself and Aachen I brought home the Like many other towns and cities, desperate people who need our help; they conviction that in resettlement, we have to Aachen has debts and is on a tight budget. are welcome here and as new citizens are cooperate more closely at the European level. How much does the admission of refugees part of our city.” The municipalities should have an even louder cost, and what is your assessment of voice in this, and this is why exchanging and this expenditure? Recently, in the context of ICMC’s gaining new experiences is still vitally Yes, Aachen is in debt, like many other cities, European SHARE Project, you personally W[^]`bO\bESOZZ^`]ÆbT]`bVSaOYS]TbVS but social obligations – which includes the dWaWbSRbVSC9QWbWSa]TAVSTÆSZRO\R6cZZ people who need our protection and help. admission of refugees – are important and to study the resettlement programme should not be subject to cuts. In Aachen we there. What information and suggestions employ dedicated staff to provide social did you bring back from the UK? support in the houses where refugees live, BVSb`W^b]AVSTÆSZRO\R6cZZeOaOdS`g O\ReSOZa]VOdSa^SQWÆQQ]\bOQb^Sà]\a important experience. We were able to within our social welfare department. see the different projects that happen in resettlement there, and to exchange ideas with

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 28/29 TOP TIPS! Strong and diverse partnerships and alliances – Securing support of city councils 1 5 Be inclusive and look beyond the ‘usual suspects’. Provide tools and materials that promote easier Look across the political spectrum and outside of your usual partnerships. Templates that you prepare for others to use – allies. Encourage support from local organisations, groups and for example council resolutions, partnership declarations, associations that do not normally engage with refugee issues. manifestos and statements – will encourage partners to get Be creative! involved in your campaign and offer you support.

2 6 Develop refugee advocates. Support refugees to become Be visible! Target local partners who are visible themselves spokespersons and advocates for resettlement – they know best and can pass your message on – sports teams, bands, cultural why resettlement is needed and can explain why both a warm organisations and institutions and others… welcome and effective assistance are so important. 7 3 Try to build positive relationships with the authorities Think about the politics! Seek support from across the political responsible for supporting refugees. Create opportunities spectrum, and anticipate how those opposed to your campaign b]W\ÇcS\QS[OW\bOW\]dS`aWUVb]TO\RºWTg]c¿RZWYSºPSRW`SQbZg goals might portray your cause. involved in the local processes and structures affecting refugees.

4 8 Identify where you’ll be useful, and develop partnerships Communicate and celebrate your successes! Advocating that complement your activities. Don’t duplicate what already for resettlement needs patience and perseverance. Results are exists in your town or city, and work with partners that can enhance ]TbS\]\ZgaSS\W\bVSZ]\UbS`[B]YSS^g]c`aSZT[]bWdObSR your understanding and add value to what you do. For example, and engaged, communicate and celebrate the successes if you will concentrate on campaigning for improved integration you achieve. structures, seek out those who work directly with refugees and can provide the information for your campaign.

A City Says Yes! Key to success of Save Me: Local and active websites

The central and local Save Me websites have played a particularly important role in facilitating the Save Me network, partnerships, alliances, supporters and mentors. The successful outreach of the campaign through the websites to ‘key player’ organisations and to the general public has contributed to its expansion into a large number of cities, municipalities and districts.

Through its general campaign website [3], These include standard petitions and New local Save Me initiatives can register PRO ASYL provides a national framework a template Council Resolution and with the campaign website via an easy- for the campaign and offers a platform for other pertinent materials that can be to-use application form. By having its all the local campaigns that are displayed downloaded and ordered. The central own representation on the site, each local on the site. In addition, the national website is provided at no cost to local group gains additional public visibility site offers a number of tools, articles, Save Me groups. As of early 2013, 57 local and inputs whilst also having the freedom information on refugee situations and campaigns had registered with the to manage their campaign independently protection and other materials of use for campaign and have their own website. according to their local context. Each local all the Save Me groups. group is responsible for updating its own page, and PRO ASYL offers technical 3 www.save-me-kampagne.de support where necessary.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 30/31 The local and open concept of Save Me Both national and local Save Me websites thus contributes to fostering creativity are an important advocacy tool for the within the local campaigns. Within the campaign in that they illustrate – with a ‘A City Says Yes!’ concept, different groups few clicks – the extensive support for choose different ways to communicate refugee resettlement present in a wide and the logo is not branded uniformly. cross-section of the German public. This Some groups have chosen to tailor the Save has value in terms of delivering a message Me logo to their city, strengthening local to politicians who may be wary of adverse ownership of the campaign’s identity in reactions to refugee issues amongst the their respective towns and cities. local electorate. The pledges show citizens I’m taking part because I would like to not normally engaged or interested in bring about the chance for a life without News from all campaigns is published on refugee issues that ‘people like them’ can fear and hunger for at least a few people the local pages as well as the general Save be committed to receiving refugees in each year. Me front page, making it easy to see at a their cities. Tanja Kluth, 33, glance where things are happening. City Councillor, Karlsruhe Local Save Me campaigns have made use Wide-reaching support leads to a strong of web tools and platforms, including the public presence for Save Me, and each websites, to develop their campaign in a local Save Me thus campaigns for support way that suits their local context. Some from the local community and to recruit groups decided to use free social media mentors. Individual citizens, mentors and tools such as Facebook and Twitter, in supporters can pledge their support for parallel with their campaign website in resettlement on the local or national order to reach out to a greater number of webpages, and promote their pledge using people and to keep individuals updated photographs and personal statements. on activities and events. This can be In Germany, more than 7,000 people have extremely effective when seeking support publicly supported resettlement for their from a general public that makes regular cities and many have given practical use of these platforms and can share assistance to refugees upon their arrival. information they receive with others in their own networks.

A City Says Yes! It is, however, important to consider that in order to be effective, websites and other social media platforms require regular updates. Writing articles, taking and uploading photos and connecting with other users requires signiﬁcant time inputs and long-term commitment, which may not exist in some local contexts. Additionally, websites or social media that are not regularly updated can detract from the effectiveness of a campaign by giving the impression of inactivity or inefﬁciency.

Whilst PRO ASYL provide some level of basic support to local websites, the ongoing development of web content and using a webpage effectively requires technical ability and confidence that may The future of the 57 websites that are not always exist in local groups. ‘Buying- now active is uncertain, and will probably in’ technical expertise is expensive, and depend on the extent to which Save Me self-financed local groups will often be remains engaged in resettlement in the unable to meet these costs. Additionally, future. PRO ASYL has provided the funds the cost of maintaining individual to maintain the domains of all the groups domains for each local group can be and may now reconsider investing to this prohibitive. For a campaign necessarily extent in the future. It is certain that, after limited in terms of funds and which 4 years, a number of the sites continue to needs to prioritise its activities for the be quite active and are regularly updated, best possible output, this impact must whilst others have ceased to operate since be considered when developing web the year the campaign first began. strategies.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 32/33 TOP TIPS! Local and active websites 1 4 Don’t feel obliged to have a website. If you don’t think your Advertise your website or social platform in U`]cê]cZRPS\SÆbT`][VOdW\UOeSPaWbS]à]QWOZW\bS`\Sb communication material. Your web presence will be of little ^ZObT]`[º[OgPSg]c`bOÙSb^cPZWQ`Sa^]\RaPSbbS`b] use if no-one knows it exists! Always ensure you communicate ]bVS`T]`[a]TQ][[c\WQObW]\]`g]cR]\¿bVOdSacTÆQWS\b your campaign’s website, blog or page in your campaign `Sa]c`QSab]YSSÔeSPaWbSc^RObSRºbVOb¿a=92SQWRSeVOb materials. This way your supporters will know exactly how Q][[c\WQObW]\O\R]cb`SOQV[SbV]Rae]`YPSabT]`g]cO\R b]Æ\Rg]c]\bVSe]`ZReWRSeSP g]c`Z]QOZQ]\bSfbO\R[OYScaS]TbV]aSW\abSOR 5 2 Make your platform interactive! Set up a platform that allows Try to recruit volunteers with the right knowledge! g]càc^^]`bSàb]W\bSÒQbeWbVg]cO\ReWbV]\SO\]bVSÙSb EVSbVS`g]cO`ScaW\UT`SS^ZObT]`[a]`VOdSRSdSZ]^SRg]c` W\d]ZdSRW\bVSQO[ÔWU\O\R[OYSOdWaWPZS^ZSRUS]TbVSW` ]e\aWbSWbeWZZOZeOgaPSVSZ^TcZb]VOdSOTSeaYWZZSRd]Zc\bSSà assistance for newly arriving refugees. eV]QO\VSZ^[OW\bOW\O\RRSdSZ]^bVSaS 6 3 Establish a central website. To establish a national presence, Make use of free and easy-to-use blog and social media Z]QOZQO[ÔWU\aQO\PS\SÆbT`][Q]]`RW\ObW]\dWOOQS\bÒZ platforms.BVS`SO`S[O\gT`SS^ZObT]`[aO\RO^^ZWQObW]\a website. A central website can communicate overall targets bVObeWZZbOYSbVSÔW\]cb]TRSdSZ]^W\UOeSP^`SaS\QST]` O\ROQbW]\aO\R^`]dWRSO^ZObT]`[T]`Z]QOZU`]câb]aVO`S g]c`QO[ÔWU\ Sf^S`WS\QSaO\RY\]eZSRUS/U`SS]\O\ObW]\OZT]QOZ^]W\bb] Q]]`RW\ObSbVSaWbSºbVWa`Sa^]\aWPWZWbgQO\`]bObS`SUcZO`Zg between groups.

A City Says Yes! Key to success of Save Me: Since the campaign began, many hundreds of individuals in Germany have expressed Building a strong their willingness to act as mentors network of supporters supporting refugees after their arrival. During the early stages of the campaign and mentors in Munich, for example, around 200 Aachen mentors agreed to assist newly arrived resettled refugees to find accommodation, Save Me Save places on German language courses, During the past 4 years, over 7,000 school places for children and employment individuals have registered via the Save of Courtesy opportunities. Other mentors simply Me website. Many of these expressed Previously resettled refugees turned mentors show visited the city reception centres once a their general support for the campaign, newly arrived around Aachen week in order to socialise, have a cup of but a significant proportion also offered tea, ask how things were going and their practical help to refugees once they The support offered to Save Me through answer any questions that might arrived. The success of Save Me can in large individual statements posted on the have arisen. part be attributed to the wide variety of campaign websites has had a major individuals who support the campaign. impact for lobbying cities to pass city However, when Save Me began there In addition to individuals from the most council resolutions and encouraging were still no resettled refugees coming active organisations supporting refugees, favourable media coverage. Supporters to Germany. Now that resettlement has such as Amnesty International, churches, and mentors have registered as Paten/ started, the number of refugees being welfare organisations and many others, Patinnen (godfathers/mothers), resettled is still only very modest at 300 Save Me supporters are drawn from Botschafter (ambassadors) or Unterstützer per year. The number of available mentors amongst ordinary people such as (supporters), depending on the local therefore far exceeds the number of professionals, students and retired context. Their statements of support have resettled refugees, and only a small persons. made cities feel more confident about percentage of those who have pledged citizens’ support for refugees coming to their support are currently actively their city, and also helped to counter working with resettled refugees as arguments that supporting resettled mentors. Additionally, not all cities refugees would be too costly and complex who have said ‘Yes’ to resettlement for receiving cities to undertake. have also received resettled refugees.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 34/35 This has been a disappointment for some They have helped with ﬁnding Following the ad-hoc resettlement of Iraqi of the groups, for example in Karlsruhe accommodation, assisting children with refugees from 2009, many Save Me groups or Fulda, who were very much hoping to their homework and solving any problems now involve previously resettled refugees have the opportunity to support refugees or crises that might arise. They translate as mentors for new resettlement arrivals. directly. Save Me Gießen, however, found letters sent by the administration and In addition to potentially sharing a another way to put their enthusiastic assist refugees to respond to them, often language and a cultural and/or religious and motivated mentors to good use. with crucially important results – for background, mentors who have When it became clear in 2008 that none example, averting an impending cut experienced resettlement understand of the Iraqi refugees arriving under the in child beneﬁt by collecting and very well the concerns and needs of new ad-hoc resettlement programme would submitting the necessary documents in arrivals and are able to offer advice and come to Gießen, they instead turned their good time. Mentors have also provided information that will be useful. attention to refugees already resident help to apply for funds to pay for in the city and formed a group that now professional coaching and – with provides voluntary guardianship for parental approval – talked to teachers to unaccompanied young refugees identify problems arising for resettled living there. children in their education.

When resettled refugees arrived in Refugee families who have been As part of my mentoring, I accompanied a cities like Munich and Aachen, Save Me assigned mentors are guided and helped blind Iraqi woman to her German course. supporters and mentors were there to considerably in their new lives. These As she had very limited English and had offer support. How the support they refugees learn German much more easily only just started to learn German, pledged would work in practice was, and integrate faster compared to those communication between us was very limited. however, not always well-defined ahead who do not receive this help. Additionally, It was all the more gratifying when after a of time. In principle mentors were not mentored refugees feel welcomed and so while she was able to recognise me straight required to commit to anything more than more encouraged and supported to take away when I picked her up or called her, or giving a warm welcome to the refugees their place in society. A functioning when we started to practice the German ahead of their arrival. However, many mentoring system can be used as a jokes she had learned. eventually wanted to go further than strong argument against politicians who Sarah, 24 (Save Me Munich) purely offering welcome, and so have voice scepticism about extending the since fulfilled a wide range of roles resettlement programme or resettling assisting refugees in their everyday lives. refugee groups with specific needs.

A City Says Yes! In the cases where such contacts between The success of mentoring also relies refugees and volunteers were not yet on fluid coordination between the city established, the Save Me office started to authorities and mentors, with clear offer support. Save Me Munich supported contact persons and clarity of the mentor and refugee to meet for the competences. The importance of this first time, and to agree at this meeting type of cooperation was evident in Gießen, Munich on a specific activity that they would where the federal government included undertake together. Activities consisted of, the city in the resettlement of refugees Save Me Save for example, assistance with schoolwork, from Shousha, Tunisia, in 2012. As a helping to find an apprenticeship or result of the short lead-in time between

Courtesy of of Courtesy teaching children German through play. the decision to resettle refugees to their ;S\b]àW\;c\WQVVSZ^7Ò_W`STcUSSQVWZR`S\eWbV The new mentors that received such city and the refugees’ anticipated arrival their homework support from Save Me Munich then had date, Save Me volunteers in Gießen found a clear picture of what was needed when themselves transformed into mentors They are also able to gain some experience they first offered their time. The first almost overnight. This was challenging for of volunteering in the German context, 850 supporters that initially signed up everyone involved – apartments, beds and expanding their social and professional to the campaign did not receive any furniture had to be organised at very short networks, gaining skills for employment such guidance, and far less of them notice, and the volunteers soon realised and supporting their further integration. subsequently committed to such a high that the formalities and competences of level of involvement. Save Me Munich the various German authorities are for One important aspect of the mentoring currently has over 1,000 mentors and newcomers frequently very complex and process is to ensure that mentors are supporters, the largest number in difficult to understand. Accompanying the guided and given the appropriate level of Germany. Save Me Munich’s publicity refugees during the first days therefore support. In the case of Save Me Munich, it work, undertaken via their local website, turned out to be very time-consuming, became evident that this was especially has produced a steady influx of willing and the authorities and city/district important during the phase when helpers wishing to volunteer their free officials often found themselves needing refugees were moving from the so-called time to assist resettled refugees and to improvise in this new area. ‘Lager’ or ‘camps’ into rented flats. In those support the local campaign. cases where refugees and mentors had got to know one another prior to their move, the transition was swift and easy.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 36/37 However, thanks to the campaigning An excellent example of the importance and preparatory work of Save Me Gießen, of mentors as an information source for several local politicians – including the advocacy is the work of the Save Me mayor and the head of the district campaign on residence permits. In 2010 authority, the head of division and and 2011, many Save Me mentors and members of the city council – were resettled refugees in Munich reported Munich supportive of resettlement and had problems with the extension of refugees’ themselves agreed to become mentors to temporary residence permits. Where Save Me Save refugees. This concrete involvement of refugees did not have a valid Iraqi passport, political actors helped to cut through the they were required to visit the Iraqi

Courtesy of of Courtesy red tape and smooth the cooperation consulate in Frankfurt to obtain one. Refugees and supporters celebrating at Save Me between volunteers and city authorities, The trip to Frankfurt proved to be very Munich’s Summer Festival and create a willingness to find problematic for many refugees in terms of unconventional solutions for the cost and organisation, and did not produce newly arrived refugees. the required results since the consulate, in the end, could not issue new passports. For nearly half a year now, I have been Mentors are an important source of By documenting all these cases, Save Me helping refugee children with their homework. information for the advocacy work of the was able to put together a strong enough These children prove to me that it is possible – Save Me campaign. From their experiences argument to convince the foreigners’ even when times are tough – to not forget in assisting resettled refugees, they can registration office in Munich to issue how to laugh. identify and raise issues that need to be substitute passports. Patricia, 16 (Save Me Munich) addressed by local authorities, mainstream services and organisations. It is therefore Mentors can only have a positive role very important to ensure regular where their work can add value to existing, communication with mentors so as adequate support structures. The fine to enable this type of information to line – between filling an existing gap and be collected. helping refugees on the one hand, and taking on too much responsibility on the other – has to be negotiated by each and every local campaign.

A City Says Yes! In some German cities, eager and engaged Save Me mentors took on prominent roles in the initial stages of the integration of resettled refugees, a responsibility that should in fact have been taken on by the local mainstream services and authorities. In Munich, for example, it was the sole responsibility of the local Save Me group to find individual housing for refugees. The fundamental importance of securing housing, a particularly difficult task in Munich, put a lot of pressure on mentors. The city administration also relied on Save Me Munich to provide ‘bridging’ financial assistance to refugees until they received social benefits, again a task that should have been taken on by mainstream services and which put a great deal of pressure on the limited resources of the city’s Save Me group. Aachen Save Me Save

Each week, I meet up with the Iraqi refugee

who I mentor. It is best when I take other of Courtesy people along with me since he wants more Mentors and refugees enjoying a monthly international cooking evening in Aachen contact with Germans and to have more German friends. Mitchell, 21 (Save Me Munich)

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 38/39 What do refugees say /bÆàbWbeOaVO`Rb]Q][Sb]U`WâeWbVbVS /TbS`ÇSSW\UT`][7Ò_7ZWdSRW\8]`RO\T]`ÆdS about the support they ZO\UcOUS)T]`bc\ObSZg[g3\UZWaVWa_cWbS gSOà)ObÆàbPg[gaSZTbVS\[gÔ`S\baO\R have received from U]]RESeS`SUWdS\Æ\O\QWOZ[SRWQOZO\R aWPZW\UaX]W\SR[SBVSaWbcObW]\W\8]`RO\eOa ZO\UcOUSac^^]`bO\ReS`SVSZ^SRPg[O\g RWTÆQcZbESRWR\]bVOdS^S`[WaaW]\b]abOg]` Save Me? AOdS;Sd]Zc\bSSàBVSPWUUSab^`]PZS[a b]e]`YO\RbVS`SeOa\]abObSac^^]`b Introducing Marina and Hassan eS`SÆ\RW\UOX]PO\RbVSTOQbbVObWbb]]Y 7\ '7eOaaSZSQbSRT]``SaSbbZS[S\bb] be]gSOàb]Æ\ROÇObeSQ]cZROTT]`R 5S`[O\g7\8]`RO\ºZWYSW\bVS`Sab]TbVS ;WRRZS3OabºbVS`SWaOZOQY]TabOPWZWbgO\R ;gTO[WZgO\R7O`SdS`gUÒbSTcZT]` aSQc`WbgO\Ra]7b]]YbVWa]^^]`bc\Wbgb] SdS`gbVW\U(T]`bVSac^^]`bT]`5S`[O\g PSUW\O\SeZWTSC\T]`bc\ObSZg7VORb]ZSOdS PSQ][W\U]càSQ]\RV][ST]`bVST`SSR][ [gTO[WZgPSVW\ReV]O`SabWZZeOWbW\UT]` ]c`\SeZWTSW\^SOQSeWbV]cbÔ\WQO\R `SaSbbZS[S\b eWbV]cbTSO`]T^SàSQcbW]\7V]^SbVOb 5S`[O\geWZZOR[Wb[]`S`STcUSSaO\RUWdS BVS`SO`S[O\g]^^]`bc\WbWSaW\5S`[O\g bVS[bVSaO[Sac^^]`bbVOb7eOaUWdS\ PcbWbWaOZa]RWTÆQcZb7\7Ò_7VORabcRWSR BVS`SO`S[WZZW]\a[]`S`STcUSSabVOb [SQVO\WQOZS\UW\SS`W\UPcba]TO`7VOdS \SSRVSZ^ \]bPSS\OPZSb]Æ\Re]`YW\5S`[O\g7VOdS Marina, 28, Iraq abO`bSRd]Zc\bSS`W\UT]ÀOdS;SOa7bVW\Y bVSgR]TO\bOabWQe]`Y)eVS\7ÆàbO``WdSR bVSW`d]Zc\bSSàVSZ^SR[Sb]Æ\ROÇObeWbV bÒ\aZObW]\]TR]Qc[S\baO\R]bVS`bVW\Ua <]e7e]cZRZWYSb]ac^^]`bbVS\Se`STcUSSa O\R[OYSbVSWàbO`bW\SOaWS`7OZa]V]^Sb] Ôaa]\[g]e\Sf^S`WS\QSaO\Rb]PSOPZS b][OYSacUUSabW]\aT]`bVSW[^`]dS[S\b]T bVS`SaSbbZS[S\bagabS[W\5S`[O\g Hassan, 25, Iraq

A City Says Yes! TOP TIPS! Building a strong network of supporters and mentors 1 4 Guide and support volunteer mentors and resettled Too many mentors, not enough refugees? Find creative refugees. Develop mechanisms and structures that enable ways to motivate and involve mentors whilst campaigning to both mentors and refugees to select the activities that are receive refugees is ongoing. of most use to them, understand their mutual roles and expectations, and develop positive and sustainable relationships. 5 Appoint contact persons for mentors so they can discuss any Know your limits, and be clear about your role. Always keep questions or problems. in mind that volunteers are additional to – and not a replacement for – the public authorities in your town or city. Do not let your 2 eagerness to help result in public authorities reneging on their Use casework by mentors as a source for advocacy. responsibilities to provide services to refugees! Experiences gained through casework can provide useful information on the situation and challenges of refugees. 6 This can in turn help develop advocacy and campaigning Coordinate and cooperate with public authorities. Develop priorities, and strengthen arguments for political authorities positive and constructive relationships with public authorities and service providers to implement changes that further ahead of refugees’ arrival. Clarify your respective roles in an promote refugee rights. SdS\bcOZ`SaSbbZS[S\b^`]U`O[[SRSÆ\W\UeV]R]SaeVOb and how you will share information and solve problems. 3 Involve previously resettled refugees as supporters and 7 mentors. Their direct experience of resettlement, and their Use your council resolution! Where your town or city has language skills and cultural awareness can all be assets to your passed a council resolution in favour of resettlement, ensure programme, and mentoring can provide them with valuable that this political statement is matched by ongoing cooperation, experience and contacts for the future. ]^S\\SaaO\RORS_cObSÆ\O\QWOZO\RVc[O\`Sa]c`QS investment in local structures for resettlement.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 40/41 Mentors’ experiences Ali Ghailan and Tobias Wagner registered To help make refugees more mobile in the to become mentors with the Save Me city, they jointly decided that it will be in Aachen Campaign in Aachen. On the Save Me useful to purchase some bikes for the Introducing Ali and Tobias website they indicated that they would group. Since riding a bike in Aachen can like to help resettled refugees find their be a hazardous exercise, the Save Me way around the city once they arrive. members provided some lessons on safe riding in the city. On a chilly Sunday afternoon in February 2013, Ali and Tobias headed to the small There are some good programmes in houses of 4 young Somali men who had Aachen aimed at introducing refugees to fled the civil war in Libya and stayed in German society. For example, monthly Shousha camp in Tunisia. They are among open café evenings (Patenstammtisch) are the 200 refugees selected from the camp held where refugees can come and meet by the German government. The city of with the mentors who answer questions Aachen looked forward to receiving some and direct newcomers to services or Tobias (left) and Ali of these refugees in their city, and the resolve other issues. The Save Me group city’s social workers had carefully planned also organises monthly international the arrival of these young men. cooking evenings, where all participants exchange their culinary secrets and Save Me Aachen members Ingeborg culture. The refugees have been missing Heck-Böckler (Amnesty International home cooking for a very long time and Aachen) and Gert Mertens (Katholikenrat getting together to cook brings back old Aachen Stadt) assisted the young men in memories and nostalgia. “I hope that their first steps towards integration. my fish has turned out well and that my They received a small grant from the mother would be proud of me if she could Diocese of Aachen in order to assist them taste it,” says one of them. in their efforts.

A City Says Yes! Ali Ghailan was among the group of Iraqi “And who can advocate for higher refugees who were resettled to Aachen resettlement numbers in Germany better and assisted by Save Me when he ﬁrst than refugees themselves! What courage arrived in 2009. He and his brother, along and persistence they have shown in with many women and mothers, have making a new life in our town and what since become mentors to assist the new quick progress in learning German! This groups. They all have a lot of practical is the best proof for many people here in advice to offer the newcomers. “We know our city,” says Ingeborg – “that refugees exactly what we lacked when we arrived, are people like you and me and like all of and what type of questions we had. We us they have a right to a future and to be received guidance and help, and now it secure – and they all want to feel welcome is our turn to give back and do the same and cared for.” for the new refugees that arrive here in Aachen,” says Ali. Tobias Wagner summarises his experience as a mentor as follows: “After several years It also becomes clear that the Save Me campaigning for refugees, it was logical campaign seeks to promote understanding that I support resettlement. Seeing the of and solidarity with refugees and other success of our political campaign at the groups in need. International Women’s local level that has gradually moved to Day, World Refugee Day, religious holidays the national level and to the regional level and school visits all beneﬁt from the joint – has been extremely motivating. But of efforts to promote awareness about course we can still do better! On a personal refugees in German society. level, it is very enriching and stimulating to see the refugees arrive with so much enthusiasm to engage and make new friends. In contrast to the political work that we do, our mentoring activity has added a human and interpersonal dimension.”

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 42/43 Key to success of Save Me: The Save Me lifebuoys were prominent in Collectively, Save Me groups were many events and activities and so became responsible for a whole range of events Raising awareness a very effective symbol for resettlement and activities that helped to garner through events and – saving refugees in need of protection, political and public support for refugee expressing both solidarity with those in resettlement, including panel discussions, activities urgent need and hope for a new future. film screenings, educational programmes in schools, readings, discussion and The grassroots and open nature of Save information events, photo exhibitions, Me meant that local groups were free to stands, slide shows, performances, church Public awareness of resettlement is develop campaign approaches and services, boat races, bike tours and others. relatively low in many European countries. strategies that suited and were adapted Many of the activities were specifically This was also the case in Germany to their local environments. An event that designed to bring together resettled when the Save Me campaign was first works well in a big city such as Berlin is refugees and local volunteers, helping established in 2008. To achieve its core often not feasible in a smaller city. refugees to settle in their new cities and aims of securing political support for In Gießen in the federal state of Hesse, a enabling volunteers to learn about the resettlement and engaging individuals as comparatively small city of 77,000 people, culture and background of their new volunteers and mentors, it was therefore the local Save Me group was launched in fellow citizens. Whilst based very much crucial for Save Me to find creative and 2009. Those involved quickly realised on individual exchanges, initiatives of effective ways of promoting public that the best way to increase public this kind ultimately help to raise public interest in resettlement and boosting awareness of resettlement was ‘knocking awareness of and support for refugee its political profile. on doors’ and directly introducing the resettlement. Save Me campaign to the city’s public. Save Since 2008, Save Me groups have organised Me Gießen thus successfully positioned Many Save Me groups made use of countless awareness raising events in resettlement as a political issue, targeting established local events and activities to over 50 cities across Germany. They have changed media perceptions and leading to promote refugee resettlement. In 2010, for reached out to a wide range of citizens of a discussion of refugee resettlement as a example, Save Me Leipzig took part in the varied ages, political affiliation, and potentially positive course of action. city’s ‘Bath Tub Race’, a traditional event social backgrounds. held every year in the city. To draw attention to the campaign, they created a raft made of lifebuoys featuring the Save Me logo.

A City Says Yes! Save Me taking part in Leipzig’s yearly Bath Tub Race Courtesy of K Kunkel, 2010 Kunkel, K of Courtesy

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 44/45 When Save Me Dresden was established in December 2009, the group made a deliberate decision to hold their founding day celebration on Human Rights Day, thus connecting Save Me to an established local occasion and promoting resettlement as a human rights activity. Save Me Dresden also participated in many events including the ‘Intercultural Days’, where the group was funded by the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Saxony to stage a children’s event, and at a local ‘Market of Cultures’. Existing, well established local events often attract media coverage, and the Saxony newspaper Sächsische Zeitung and Dresden’s university magazine, for example, ran several high proﬁle stories on Save Me.

Save Me Munich chose to link their Munich creation with the city’s 850th anniversary Save Me Save celebrated in 2008, encouraging the public to take pride in the capacity of their city to welcome those in need of protection. of Courtesy In 2009, a coalition of Save Me groups Save Me Munich campaigning for refugee resettlement coordinated by PRO ASYL came together in Berlin on the occasion of World Refugee Day to present 5,000 Save Me lifebuoys at Berlin’s Central Station (see the cover).

A City Says Yes! For the travelling exhibition “Save me – Face me – Welcome me”, Iraqi children and teenagers in Munich were given disposable cameras and asked to photograph what was important to them about Germany.

I took this photo because this playground Wa`WUVb\Sfbb]]c`ÇObO\RPSQOcaS[g little brother likes to play and have fun there. He’s really pleased that playgrounds W\5S`[O\gO`Sa]PWU Basma, 18

This is my sister and me. I’m in the garden. I’ve lived here for a year. My family and I have lots of fun in Germany. Marious, 12, is one of 127 Iraqis who have found a new home in Munich

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 46/47 TOP TIPS! Raising awareness through events and activities 1 Use existing events and celebrations to raise awareness. Exploit the platform that well-established and visible local events can provide for your campaign.

2 Know your local context! Understand the priorities and concerns of your fellow local citizens and politicians, and the types of messages and communication that will be effective.

3 Engage the local media. Provide material and information that enables the easy creation of stories, and participate in local events and activities that traditionally attract media interest.

4 Find creative ways to communicate your message. Dresden >`W\b^]abS`aO\RZSOÇSbaVOdSg]c`Z]U]^`W\bSR]\ZWTSPc]ga]` balloons, produce 500 of them and release them in the train Save Me Save station… anything is possible!

Courtesy of of Courtesy 5 Save Me Dresden raising awareness with the Share your ideas and formats of events. Explore whether help of St. Nicholas one concept can be organised in more than one city, such as a travelling exhibit.

A City Says Yes! What is the future for The question at the heart of this The new European financial framework publication is ‘What is the future for for 2014-20 are expected to offer expanded Save Me in Europe? Save Me in Europe?’ incentives to grow Member States’ There is a broad agreement across a resettlement activities. A key challenge range of actors that Europe can and for Europe will on the other hand be to must do more in terms of the number ensure that European resettlement offers of resettlement places it offers. both protection for those with emergency Resettlement is a voluntary activity and and urgent resettlement needs, and at the any commitment depends on willingness same time long-term, durable solution for There can be no doubt that Save Me from national governments. Whilst the many thousands of refugees living in has been an innovative and creative numbers are of course an important protracted situations around the world. initiative. It has achieved particular aspect of any discussion on resettlement, Alongside more development-focused success in mobilising citizens in support in Europe different actors have multiple assistance and strategies,resettlement of resettlement in a challenging asylum ideas and approaches for advocating will continue to be an important method context in Germany. A new – albeit quite for expanded European resettlement – for expressing solidarity with countries small – resettlement programme for about the size of national resettlement of first asylum, ensuring protection of Germany has now begun, although some programmes, the number of places that individuals and opening up protection difficulties are still to be overcome, not Europe should collectively provide, and if space for refugee populations. least those related to the legal status of all European countries should participate resettled refugees. The future presents in resettlement at all. new challenges for growing German resettlement, developing good quality Too often, the willingness of countries reception and integration programmes to engage in resettlement is made and maintaining public support for contingent on the numbers of asylum resettlement. Save Me has gone some seekers coming to a particular country way to creating a positive environment in at any given moment. This prohibits which to take this work forward and, in the development of standalone, this new phase of German resettlement, sustainable resettlement commitments it is now up to the many cities and towns in terms of number of persons, and that said ‘Yes!’ to make good on their strategies to develop individual housing pledges of support to receive refugees. independent of the asylum system.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 48/49 The Save Me approach has great value for The success of Save Me has already a Europe in which a common agreement inspired a coalition of NGOs and on resettlement numbers does not yet international organisations to launch exist. In a time of prolonged financial ‘Resettlement Saves Lives’, a European crisis and difficult choices in Europe, the campaign advocating for 20,000 Save Me model can create public support resettlement places to be offered and political will to offer protection to every year by Europe by the year 2020. those most in need. Its grassroots, local The campaign simultaneously advocates nature creates the welcoming and for high quality reception and integration engaged local communities in which programmes for resettled refugees resettled refugees can be both well in Europe. Individuals and organisations received and supported to achieve their across Europe can pledge their support potential. It builds local support for for resettlement at the campaign refugee protection, directly engages website[3], and the campaign coalition citizens in refugee assistance, and builds on this support to lobby and The future of European resettlement establishes the positive and cooperative advocate at the European level. As depends on a broad coalition of relationships between local actors – European resettlement grows and many governments, regions, cities and citizens churches, unions, NGOs, political more resettled refugees arrive, the saying ‘Yes!’ to refugee protection and authorities, students, activists, the campaign will build on the success of offering refugees safety, security and new media and others – that will benefit the Save Me to not only ‘save’ lives, but to lives in their countries and communities. successful integration of all refugees and support the construction of new, The Save Me campaign has offered a way newcomers in European towns and cities. sustainable lives for resettled refugees, in which each city can play its part in this By demonstrating public and political their family members, children and future coalition effort, joining with others to support for refugee protection and generations in European towns and cities. make a substantial and positive European resettlement, the Save Me model gives contribution. voice to local perspectives at national level, promoting local people, cities and We hope that this publication and the towns as advocates for refugee protection work of Save Me will inspire you to join in Europe. this European effort and play your own part in making European resettlement 4 www.resettlement.eu/resettlement-saves-lives grow and prosper.

A City Says Yes! ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL 50/51 Acknowledgements This publication has been written by Andrea Kothen (PRO ASYL) and Kristin Blais (ICMC Europe).

We would like to sincerely thank the following people whose contributions of articles, expertise and time made this publication possible: Ali Ghailan (Save Me Aachen), Abdulkareem, Ingeborg Heck-Böckler (Amnesty International Aachen), Sarah Hergenröther (Save Me Munich), Sebastian Herwig (Save Me Dresden), Torsten Moritz (Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe – CCME), Hilde Scheidt (Deputy Mayor of Aachen), Beatrice Tzschentke (PRO ASYL), Tobias Wagner (Save Me Aachen), and Hermann Wilhelmy (Save Me Gießen).

Also thank you to Marina, Hassan, Mitchell, Patricia and Sarah for sharing their Save Me mentoring experiences.

A special thank you to all the Save Me groups, whose dedication and commitment has inspired the writing of this publication.

ICMC Europe & PRO ASYL This publication is produced by ICMC Europe and PRO ASYL in the framework of ICMC’s ‘Cities that Care, Cities that SHARE’ project, which aims to build a European resettlement network of municipalities, cities and regions. SHARE is a part of the European Resettlement Network (www.resettlement.eu), an inclusive network that supports the development of resettlement in Europe.

SHARE is co-funded by the Pilot Project on Resettlement (2011) of the European Commission. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe Rue Washington 40, 1050 Brussels, Belgium +32 (0)2 227 97 29 www.icmc.net [email protected]

a european reselement network for cies and regions