It is essential to let the experiences of newcomers guide the policies we develop. This is why the perspective of newcomers is central to the large-scale research into the Integration Act. Together with Regioplan and BMC, we are conducting this research. And we are doing so on behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
For four years, we walk with people who are integrating, under the old or new Integration Act. We talk to them about their experiences, ideas and questions. For this we use various qualitative research methods: expert pools, action research, interviews and design probes.
This is the first time such a large-scale study has examined newcomers' perspectives on integration.
How do newcomers view the Integration Act?
How do we know that policy from the drawing board actually matches the lives, expectations and plans of people themselves? Commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, OpenEmbassy, Regioplan and BMC are conducting research into the perspective of newcomers on integration in the Netherlands. The research will run until the law is evaluated in 2027. We are really very proud that we may conduct this research. This is the first time that such a large-scale study is conducted into the perspective of newcomers on integration!
Research Methods
OpenEmbassy will conduct the qualitative part of the research. We will follow people who are integrating for four years and talk to them about their experiences, ideas, and questions. We do this with our expert pool methodology, action research, interviews, and design probes. In this way we do justice to the diversity of the group of people integrating, and can take into account different ways in which experiences and stories are shared. We follow people integrating under both the old and new Act.
Regioplan is responsible for the quantitative part, an annual survey of people integrating. The results of the survey feed into the qualitative research and vice versa. In addition, a panel of people who are, or have been, integrated is involved in the research method and interpretation of the results. BMC is involving several Dutch municipalities in the research.
'It is essential to let the experiences of newcomers themselves guide the policies we develop. We are therefore enormously proud to be conducting this research. The research will provide important insights that we cannot ignore: after all, we are collecting the voices of citizens themselves. We hope to set a standard with this.- said Renée Frissen, founder of OpenEmbassy.
Author - Pepijn Tielens, Advisor/researcher at OpenEmbassy
Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Unsplash
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