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Mapping the Syrian Diaspora in Germany

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Mapping the Syrian Diaspora in Germany Mapping the Syrian diaspora in Germany Contributions to peace, reconstruction and potentials for collaboration with German Development Cooperation 23January 2017 Nora Jasmin Ragab Laura Rahmeier Prof. Dr. Melissa Siegel 1 CONTENTS List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................... 3 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ 3 List of abbreviations ............................................................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 4 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 5 2. Concept of diasporas ................................................................................................................... 7 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 8 4. Syrian diaspora: migration patterns and history ...................................................................... 12 4.1. Syrian emigration profile .................................................................................................... 12 4.2. Characteristics of Syrian immigrant population in Germany ............................................ 15 4.2.1. Size and geographical distribution .............................................................................. 15 4.2.2. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics .................................................... 18 5. Syrian diaspora organizations and their engagement in development .................................. 25 5.1. Subjective view on the Syrian diaspora in Germany and its developments .................... 25 5.2. Organisational landscape .................................................................................................... 28 5.2.1. Membership ................................................................................................................. 31 5.2.2. Capacities ..................................................................................................................... 32 5.2.3. Cooperation and diaspora networks .......................................................................... 33 5.3. Transnational practices ....................................................................................................... 35 5.3.1. Contributions and activities in the origin country ..................................................... 35 5.3.2. Contributions and activities within the Diaspora community ................................... 38 5.3.3. Contributions and activities in the destination country ............................................ 39 6. Policy influence on Syrian diaspora activities ........................................................................... 41 6.1. Syrian policies toward the diaspora ................................................................................... 41 6.2. Development and diaspora engagement policies in Germany ......................................... 42 7. Key challenges and avenues for cooperation ........................................................................... 45 7.1. Key challenges ..................................................................................................................... 45 7.2. Avenues for cooperation .................................................................................................... 47 8. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 53 References .......................................................................................................................................... 55 Appendix A: Interview guide .............................................................................................................. 62 2 List of Tables Table 1: Set of Research questions ...................................................................................................... 6 Table 2: Characteristics of Interview Respondents .......................................................................... 10 Table 3: Top 10 Destination Countries for Syrian Emigrants, c. November 2015 ........................... 14 Table 4: Residence Status of Syrian Citizens in Germany, December 2015 .................................... 16 Table 5: Household characteristics and income situation, 2015 ..................................................... 24 Table 6: Fields of Engagement of Syrian Diaspora Organisation ..................................................... 29 List of Figures Figure 1: Syrian citizens in Germany 1967-2015 .............................................................................. 16 Figure 2: Geographical distribution of Syrian citizens in Germany, December 2015 ..................... 18 Figure 3: Age groups of the Syrian population in Germany, 2015 ................................................... 19 Figure 4: Secondary school qualifications of persons with a Syrian migration background, 2015 20 Figure 5: Highest educational institution attended by Syrian adult first-time asylum applicants compared to all first-time asylum applicants, 2015 ......................................................................... 21 Figure 6: Fields of Study of Syrian Students in Germany, 2015/2016 ............................................. 21 Figure 7: Labour force categorisation, 2015 ..................................................................................... 23 Figure 8: Income categories, 2015 .................................................................................................... 24 Figure 9: Number of Syrian organisations established in Germany, 1979 -2016 ........................... 29 3 List of abbreviations BMZ Bundesministerium für internationale Zusammenarbeit CIM Centrum für internationale Migration und Entwicklung CMI The Center for Mediterranean Integration DEMAC Diaspora Emergency Action and Cooperation DSÄ Deutsch-Syrische Ärzte für humanitäre Hilfe DSV Deutsch-Syrische Verein zur Förderung der Freiheiten und Menschenrechte ECHO EU’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department FDSG Freie Deutsch-Syirsche Gesellschaft GIZ Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit ICMPD International Centre for Migration Policy Development IDPs Internally Displaced Persons INGO International Non-Governmental Organisation IOM International Organization for Migration MENA Middle East and North Africa NGO Non-Governmental Organisation OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development PME Programme Migration for Development SWN Syrian Women’s Network UKSSD Unabhängiges Komitee für Sozialentwicklung und selbstorganisierte Demokratie UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations USSA Union der Syrischen Studenten und Akademiker Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Sjors Joosten, Charlotte Müller, Jamila Nader and Julia Reinold for their invaluable assistance in transcribing the interviews as well as Katrin Marchand for her research support. We would also like to thank GIZ for making the study possible and for the support along the way. In particular, we would like to thank Stephanie Deubler and Olivia Hannemann for their comments on an earlier draft of this report. Last, but not least we would like to thank all the interview participants for giving us their time and for their willingness to share information about their work and experiences with us. 4 1. Introduction During the past six years, the Syrian conflict escalated into one of the most dramatic humanitarian and security crises in the world, causing over 190,000 deaths, displacing almost 11 million people, leaving 13.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and deepened sectarian violence across the region (European Commission, 2016; United Nations News Service, 2014). With increasing intensification, internationalisation and spill-over of the conflict within the region, its cessation seems unlikely in the near future. At the same time, there is a considerable lack in literature on Syrian diaspora groups, particularly regarding the nature and dynamics of their engagement with Syria, the impacts of that engagement on the current conflict, and the potential role such engagement could play in future development and reconstruction of the country. Existing studies do note, however, that the Syrian Upspring encouraged not just a revolutionary movement inside Syria but also externally, within the diaspora. According to Di Bartolomeo, Jaulin and Perrin (2012) Syrian diaspora groups play an important role in oppositional political movements. Beyond political involvement, they also engage in civil society groups, mainly humanitarian and human rights organisations, both in Europe and in the neighbouring countries (Hallisso, 2014; Qayyum, 2011; Svoboda & Pantuliano, 2015). Diasporas are increasingly recognised as important players in the international political arena (Vertovec, 2005). Yet, there is a growing debate on the nature and impact of diaspora engagement when it comes to conflict-settings. While some argue that diaspora groups
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