Quota refugees on resettlement and introduction

1
Quota refugees on resettlement and introduction

• - a consultation process in Sweden
• Denise Thomsson
• Madrid 8 November 2007

2
Introduction

• The refugee as a source of knowledge
• 15 interviews, 4 focus groups
• How can resettlement be understood, and further
  developed?

3
Refugee status and dependence

• Lack of freedom, respect and control provide the
  needs for shelter (refugee status)
• Objectifying effects of long term oppression and
  dependence
• Away from point A rather than towards point B
  refugee experience of resettlement direction

4
What were the refugees expecting?

• Few outspoken expectations
• Little knowledge about what was about to come
• Difficulties absorbing information
• Speed more important than information campaigns?
• Knowledge and feelings of safety can also
  correspond

5
Arrival in the third country

• Freedom and security at last
• Lack of knowledge creates vulnerability
• An organised reception
• Help and support from the introduction programme
• Experiences of gratitude and satisfaction

6
Effects on introduction

• Activity and responsibilities in Swedish
  introduction programmes
• Gratefulness can make it difficult to ask for
  more
• Continued dependence and subordination may
  influence on refugees ability to become
  independent
• Need for support in a new situation

7
A new start

• Participation and independence!
• Language difficulties and isolation
• Catch 22 language and participation
• Marginalising effects of introduction programmes

8
Effects on future integration

• Isolation and discrimination
• Adaptation, assimilation and rational adjustments
• Lack of participation in working life and social
  community promotes loneliness and ill-health
• Dependence on local authorities
• Difficulties attaining independence and
  integration

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To sum up

• The overall picture of resettlement points at
  continued dependence and objectification
• The focus upon moving away, rather than towards
  something new, creates little expectations and
  difficulties to absorb pre-departure information
• Dependency and subordination risk to continue in
  the third country

10

• A need for support is met by an organised
  reception and introduction programme
• Introduction programmes risk to isolate refugees
  from Swedish speaking contexts and shape
  ill-health and difficulties to participate (and
  vice versa)
• Refugees adapt and adjust themselves to the new
  situation and express devotion to their new lives
  and country

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Concluding remarks

• An overall picture of resettlement is beneficial
  in order to discuss refugees conditions for life
  in the third country
• Repeated dependency and objectification
  characterises resettlement, and may distinguish
  resettled refugees from other refugee and
  immigrant groups
• How can future agency and independence be
  promoted in early resettlement phases?
• How do we best manage resettled refugees
  experiences and (often low) expectations?

12
Thank you!

• Denise Thomsson (analyst/consultant)denise.thomss
  on_at_gmail.com46-708 65 64 55