U.S. and German Exchange Program to Address Refugee Situation

24 German integration practitioners to visit five U.S. communities this month, meet with counterparts to share strategies for integrating refugees and creating inclusive communities.
 
Communities thrive when they are welcoming to people of different backgrounds.
Communities thrive when they are welcoming to people of different backgrounds.
WASHINGTON - April 13, 2016 - PRLog -- The unprecedented refugee situation across Europe and the Middle East resulted in Germany taking in 1.2 million displaced individuals in 2015 alone. More are expected throughout 2016.

After a political solution is found for the immediate situation, the task at hand will shift to the longer-term challenge of sustainably integrating these individuals into their new communities-particularly those in smaller cities with limited resources and experience welcoming immigrants.

The scale and scope of this problem, however, is not contained to Germany, or Europe for that matter. It is a global problem, one the United States is uniquely positioned to help address.

The Welcoming Community Transatlantic Exchange (WCTE) is one such example that will address the need for cooperation and to share ideas and best practices on both sides of the Atlantic. Over three years, beginning in April 2016, the WCTE will allow groups of Americans and Germans to visit each other's countries to share approaches to welcoming refugees in their communities.

WHO
A total of 24 Germans and 16 American integration practitioners representing nine different communities are taking part in the inaugural year of this exchange.
More information on the 2016 WCTE participants

WHAT
A reciprocal exchange program for U.S. and German professionals to address the refugee situation.

WHEN
April 18-29, 2016

U.S. visit: 24 Germans travel to five U.S. cities in three cohorts

Sept. 23-Oct. 1, 2016
Germany visit: 16 Americans travel to four German cities in two cohorts

WHERE
Atlanta and Clarkston, Georgia; Boise, Idaho; Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; Essen; Dresden; Mannheim; Landkreis Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge; Stuttgart
More information on the 2016 WCTE host communities

WHY
To respond to the refugee situation in Germany and the alarming rise of xenophobic movements in both nations by:
• Fostering conversations and connections between U.S. and German integration practitioners
• Building the capacity of integration leaders
• Establishing a sustainable and welcoming integration infrastructure in local U.S. and German communities

The Welcoming Communities Transatlantic Exchange is administered by Cultural Vistas, in collaboration with Welcoming America and the Heinrich Böll Stiftung North America. The program is funded by the Transatlantic Program of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through funds of the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi), as well as by the U.S. Department of State, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and BMW Group.

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Founded in 1963, Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization promoting global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. Cultural Vistas develops international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. Its programs empower people to drive positive change in themselves, their organizations, and society.

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