People who integrate in the Netherlands must "quickly and fully participate in society, preferably through paid work": the Integration Act.
The new integration law, which is supposed to help status holders make their way in Dutch society as quickly as possible, is plagued by all sorts of start-up problems. In the context of a housing shortage, an asylum crisis and staff shortages, the new system is struggling to get off the ground.
>Read the full article 'Path to integration full of bumps,' Binnenlands Bestuur
For this article, journalist Adriaan de Jonge spoke with Patrick van der Hijden and Tamer Allaloush of Open Embassy and D-66 alderman Jorik Huizinga in Doetinchem.
Recommendations
From our working practice, we are happy to provide some recommendations:
Gather structured knowledge, network and best practices that help newcomers find work as quickly as possible. We do this ourselves in the Platform Newcomers and WorkTogether with research partner Regioplan.
Involve the perspective of persons integrating themselves, for example with an expert pool. They are the experts and an essential source of knowledge for making and implementing policy.
Supervise integration client managers in devising concrete solutions for their working practice. Open Embassy does this with productive thinking sessions for implementing professionals throughout the country (the Community of Practice integration).
Develop long-term sustainable solutions; such as a good match between qualifications and work and the opportunity to start your own business.
Cut a deal with local employers.
" . . , ." Patrick Van Der Hijden
