Demokratiegestaltung ohne MigrantInnen? Mitbestimmung statt ...

3.2 Englische Fassung
1. Introduction
The Saxon integration policy
The debates on the Saxon integration policy
(working draft) held from December 2009 to
April 2010 allowed for the first time in 20 years
of Saxon migration history a direct dialogue
between migrant representatives and civil
organisations and the Saxon ministry of social
affairs (known by its German initials SMS) that
has been assigned with the framing of the
concept .
The present position paper focuses on the
political participation of migrants as a
fundamental requirement for democratic
integration – a point that has been completely
left out in the framework of the Saxon
integration policy.
Although the SMS did include the topic of
“political participation” in its workshop
programme, it is of major significance for a
democratic integration policy and its
implementation that the importance of political
participation be made clear. Especially since the
question of the political participation of migrants
so far has not been considered in significant
political decisions and decision­making
processes.
We are convinced that it is in the interest of the
entire society, which also includes migrants, that
the development of a democratic integration
concept be successful.
Many democratic societies have found that
involving minority representatives throughout
the process of working out an integration plan is
crucial for its success.
A restructuring of the current migration and
integration policy needs to be based on
tolerance of diversity, the equal participation of
migrants in social life and a genuine want to
change.
In this position paper, we define migrants as:
refugees (including asylum seekers and
Förderverein Tolerantes Sachsen e.V.
Konferenzdokumentation ­ Demokratiegestaltung ohne MigrantInnen? ­ Mitbestimmung statt Toleranz!
“tolerated persons”), German repatriates,
people with migration background, people with
migration experience, black Germans, coloured
people, jewish immigrants and migrants that
have entered the counry for purposes of family
reunification, study or work as foreign
contractors.
The dialogue already initiated must be
continued. In our view there is still need for
discussion, especially on certain major and
minor points such as defining the scope of the
term integration and specific measures for its
implementation. In this process, quality and
equal dialogue have to be more important than
quick decision­making depending on political
directives.
The draft of this discussion paper was
unanimously agreed as a suitable basis for
discussion on the conference of the network
Tolerantes Sachsen on 5 June 2010. On 13 June
the document was discussed and unanimously
agreed.
The state, politicians, media, cultural
institutions, authorities and the civil community
are encouraged to stop the practice of ignoring,
excluding and discriminating migrants and
demonstrate the intended cosmopolitan attitude
not only to the outside but also to the inside.
State and municipalities are for all of their
citizens!
An integration concept ought to consistently and
systematically break down barriers, that hinder
or impede equal coexistence.
2. Prerequisites for a democratic
integration policy in terms of political and
cultural rights are among others:
1) Integration presumes equal participation in
social, economic, cultural and political life.
This means that all people have the right to
participate to be able to identify themselves
with the community.
2) A new integration policy ought to cover a
wide range of people; it is by no means
sufficient to consider solely future immigrants
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