The outline agreement provides an insight into the new administration's plans. Although the outline agreement focuses mainly on a migration halt, it also has a lot of impact on people who are already here, allowed to stay and are building a life. After all, it contains much that may affect their opportunities and future in the Netherlands.
Initial reactions to the outline agreement
We therefore engaged in conversation with a number of people who have fled themselves, or have had experience of it in some other way. Many insights followed from this qualitative research with experts. From our mission to enable data-driven policies and solutions, we emphasize the need to focus on the expertise and knowledge of people with lived experience. In this article, we share this knowledge.
Expert group composition
The group of experts Response Main Line Agreement consisted of 8 experts who have lived experience with (forced) migration. The group was diverse in age, gender, country of origin and length of stay in the Netherlands (a few months to 30 years). This was supplemented by the knowledge of four members of the Advisory Board of OpenEmbassy. Although the design was small-scale, the outcomes resonate with findings in our other projects around the country, signals from partner organizations and articles in the media.
The experts' initial reactions to the outline agreement focus on several aspects, which relate to the impact of the measures and how these measures (in)directly affect their lives. Below we will discuss these thematically.
Concerns about the future
The experts present feel uncertain and worried about their future in the Netherlands because of the announced changes and the possible long-term consequences. Misinformation is circulating within communities of newcomers, leading to chaos and fear.
"TikTok talks about 'decisions' instead of plans, so it looks like the plans in the outline agreement are already being implemented."
People in key roles within communities also do not always know how to answer questions about this agreement. There is a general need for more clarity and support in understanding how the potentially new rules will affect the daily lives of newcomers.
An expert shared his concerns:
"When I heard this news, I began to see my fourth displacement (from Syria - Turkey - NL) .... Every few years I start building a new house, I start a job. I furnished my house last month, right when the coalition was announced... I fear I have no future here, even though I try to integrate, contribute, have a job and pay taxes. I was motivated, and I am still motivated, but I am shocked."
And another:
"The changes bring social disharmony and difficulties in contributing to society. It causes decreasing trust in official institutions and social instability, the emergence of divisions and conflicts between different social groups."
"I fear I have no future here, even though I try to integrate, contribute, have a job and pay taxes. I was motivated, and I'm still motivated, but I'm shocked."
Not to belong, but never to belong
There is also uncertainty about their personal situation and what their place is in the Netherlands. Two experts indicate that the outline agreement evokes conflicting feelings, because the Netherlands has brought them a lot and they are grateful for many things, but feel less and less welcome.
"My children were born here, and are now adults. And because of everything that's going on, I doubt again whether the Netherlands is the place where I want to see my children, and their children, grow up."
In others, feelings of wariness and anger are also present:
"These are our streets, this is also our country. It is a human right to move, and we have just as much legitimacy to be where we want to be."
Another expert recognizes this sentiment. Once you live and work in the Netherlands, and are an active part of society, it is unreal that people keep addressing you about the one part of your identity that makes it clear that you were not born in the Netherlands. The outline agreement reinforces the feeling of not, but never being allowed to belong:
"I don't want to be forced to say I'm grateful to be here. I will speak louder and take more action."
At the same time, the experts were not surprised by the results:
"This has been a much longer process - some people have woken up to this, but for us this was no surprise at all: fascism was coming crawling to us."
"My children were born here, and are now adults. And because of everything that's going on, I doubt again whether the Netherlands is the place where I want to see my children, and their children, grow up."
Concerns about discrimination and effect on integration
Experts are also concerned about the potential impact of the outline agreement on the integration of newcomers. Several proposed measures have a negative effect on being able to truly become part of society. In addition, they mean an increase and legitimization of discrimination, xenophobia, racism and hate speech:
"The system already discourages us from integrating. Imagine the situation after this agreement. Refugees will be even further separated from life and work."
Other experts express concerns:
"People can say so many things on talk shows and radio. There is now a license to be racist."
"Now I am so afraid for my children and the racism they will face."
Impact on entire population and effect on democracy
In addition to concerns about those still in azc and the increasing insecurity for newcomers in publicly elected positions, there are concerns about the gradual breakdown of democracy and the consequences for the Dutch population as a whole. The experts recognize what is happening:
"I am afraid of the consequences for the whole society, not only for newcomers but also for Dutch people. Dutch people have not experienced undemocratic conditions for a long time. As refugees, we have experienced it recently. We need to remind Dutch people what this is and that it is dangerous for all people."
"The system already discourages us from integrating. Imagine the situation after this agreement. Refugees will be even further separated from life and work."
Linking social problems to migration
In addition, several experts are frustrated by a discrepancy between the analysis of the problems facing the Netherlands and the conclusion drawn. The outline agreement builds on and feeds a sense of scarcity, singling out newcomers as scapegoats. There is poverty, people have too little access to social housing, there is a lot of talk about people and not with people. But the conclusion that this is because of people who have fled is incorrect. An expert says:
"People are struggling to find housing and affordable housing. But this has nothing to do with newcomers, it is scapegoating. It masks the extremely growing inequality that is the result of bad governance and wrong policies."
What is needed?
The experts also have clear ideas about what is needed now. In this, they particularly focus on strengthening social connections by facilitating more meetings and building coalitions at the local level.
"Everything that is happening now can only happen on the condition that we (newcomers) are portrayed in a way that is not right. We have to rewrite this story."
The experts also argue for equal and full participation of newcomers in political processes and for putting the perspective of people themselves at the center of policy making. In doing so, they also call on organizations working with newcomers to enter into dialogue with them about the concerns raised by the outline agreement and to jointly design programs and actions based on the needs that exist.
In conclusion
From the expert group of people who fled to the Netherlands a few months to 30 years ago, there are clearly great concerns. About the far-reaching consequences of the proposed measures and its impact on their lives, integration and Dutch society as a whole. It is important to take these signals to heart.
We hope the following will become possible under the new administration:
Much faster participation from day one; this ensures that people can contribute to Dutch society as quickly and as much as possible. Immediate participation pays off for everyone, as SEO Amsterdam Economics' recent cost-benefit analysis shows. Initiatives such as participation desks, flow-through locations, fast connection to the municipality where you will live, access to (language) education and guidance to work from the asylum seekers' center can make an important contribution to this.
Provides space for municipalities to develop appropriate, local and evidence-based integration offerings to suit local circumstances and needs. It should enable people to shape their lives as quickly and autonomously as possible in the Netherlands.
Work on solutions to the shelter crisis and realize humane, small-scale and embedded in the local community.
Offer newcomers more space to take their own initiative. They themselves know best what they need. Their perspective is an essential source of knowledge for making and implementing effective policies, and it prevents people from being discouraged, made (obligatory) passive, and vibrant talent from being rejected and wasted.
Distinguish between migration and integration. Develop flexible, effective and evidence-based integration policies, not designed to deter those yet to come, but to ensure that those already here can participate quickly and fully.
Strengthen the role of local communities and initiatives to effectively support newcomers. These social connections help newcomers feel at home faster, promote intercultural dialogue and inclusion, and in the long run contribute to the process of social cohesion and better integration. That the (financial and legal) space for such initiatives seems to be shrinking under the new administration is worrisome. When the government steps back, civil society should be able to occupy that space.
Courtesy of:
Thanks to all the experts, including Parisa Akbarzadeh Poladi, Shakuur Halane, Adele Abdullah, Ekram Jalboutt, Linda al Sharif, Fatih Aktaş, Adele Abdulah and Nuri Berber for their valuable knowledge and experience.
And from the Advisory Board the members Peter Bos, Mardjan Seighali, Patrick Van Der Hijden and Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer.
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