Annual Report

of the Expert Council

Experiences of Discrimination of People With and Without a Migration Background in an East-West Comparison. Expertise for the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency.

Expertise | August 2012

(Only available in German)

How often and in what context do people experience discrimination in Germany? The study, which was published by the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, is based on data from SVR's 2012 Integration Barometer which surveyed the immigrant and native populations about the same issues. The survey focused on experiences of discrimination on both sides and general mistrust. The study shows that immigrants report that they experienced discrimination twice as often as people without a migration background, but also that there are no significant differences between eastern and western Germany.

Migration, Integration, Policy and Scientific Policy Advice in Germany. Symposium to commemorate the departure of Prof. Dr. Klaus J. Bade as the founding chairman of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR).

Commemorative publication | August 2012

(Only available in German)

The commemorative publication contains papers and notes from the panel discussions of the symposium held to commemorate the departure of Prof. Dr. Klaus Bade, the founding chairman of the Expert Council.

Immigrant Citizens Survey. How Immigrants Experience Integration in 15 European Cities.

Study | June 2012

The Immigrant Citizens Survey (ICS) is a comparative study on how third country nationals experience integration in seven EU countries. Immigrants in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Hungary were surveyed for the ICS study. As the project partner for Germany, the Expert Council's Research Unit was involved in designing the survey and was responsible for collecting the data. The study gives a more precise understanding of integration processes.

Study - Download

Immigrant Citizens Survey. How Immigrants Experience Integration in 15 European Cities.

German Integration Measures from the Perspective of Non-EU Citizens. The Results of the Immigrant Citizens Survey for Germany.

Study | June 2012

How do immigrants view German integration measures? To supplement the empirical results of the Immigrant Citizens Survey for Europe, the Expert Council's Research Unit presents an in-depth analysis of the specific German integration measures. For this survey, third party nationals were asked about the effectiveness and acceptance of integration measures in the areas of language, permanent residence, naturalisation, political participation, family reunification and the labour market.

Executive Summary - Download

German Integration Measures from the Perspective of Non-EU Citizens. The Results of the Immigrant Citizens Survey for Germany.

Integration in the federal system: the federal government, Laender and the role of the municipalities.

Annual Report 2012 with Integration Barometer.

May 2012

The Annual Report examines how effective cooperation between the federal, state and municipal levels is on issues related to integration policy. The Expert Council analyses where the federal, state and local level work well together and how they hinder one another in drafting and implementing integration policy. Urgently needed are improved coordination, cooperation and networking, elimination of the ban on joint funding of education by the federal government and Laender governments and a better alignment of integration policy responsibilities at the federal level.

Annual Report - Download:

The 10 core messages of the Annual Report
Annual Report 2012 - Press Release
Integration Barometer 2012 (Summary)

Mobile Talent? The Staying Intentions of International Students in Five EU Countries

Study | April 2012

International students are often considered ‘ideal immigrants’ due to domestic credentials, language skills and host country experiences. However, so far, efforts to keep them in the country as skilled workers after graduation have been inadequate. In response, the Expert Council's Research Unit in cooperation with the Migration Policy Group (MPG) conducted an international student survey on staying intentions and obstacles in five EU countries. The survey results are supplemented by country reports and a comparison of post-study work visas in the five host countries.

Study - Download

Mobile Talent? The Staying Intentions of International Students in Five EU Countries.

The Two Sides of National Policy for Skilled Workers: Reducing Permanent Exodus and Encouraging Immigration of Skilled Labour.

Study | March 2012

(Only available in German)

Germany is competing for international talent. Encouraging the immigration of skilled labour and, at the same time, reducing emigration are two sides of the same political coin. This study explores the factors that contribute to the migration of highly skilled workers and describes different migration management processes. It also shows that the quality of migration management is only one factor that plays a role in addition to economic and socio-political parameters. Data on the complex issue of emigration are still scarce. The analysis of the existing studies on the motives of emigrants clearly shows that this topic has been inadequately researched. As a result, possible research approaches are discussed and requirements for a suitable research project outlined.

From International Students to Highly Skilled Immigrants. A Comparison of the Legal Conditions in Five Countries in the European.

Study | November 2011

(Only available in German)

International students hold enormous potential for their host countries – if efforts to keep them there after their studies are successful. A comparison of five European countries – Germany, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden – analyses which legal conditions apply in each of these countries and how access to the labour markets is regulated for graduates. The analysis is supplemented by a survey of international students in Germany which shows how they themselves view their situation. The study presents recommendations for universities, companies, policymakers and government administrators for how to capitalise on the potential of international students for Germany more effectively. This study was created in cooperation with the Migration Policy Group (MPG).

Triple Win or Zero Sum Game? Opportunities, Borders and Future Prospects for Circular Migration Programmes in the German Context.

SVR Info | September 2011

(Only available in German)

Ideally, everyone stands to gain from circular migration or temporary work permits for third country nationals in Europe who then return to their country of origin with the knowledge and skills they acquired: the country of origin, the host country and the immigrants themselves. But is this really the case? In this paper, the Expert Council analyses circular migration programmes which aim to provide temporary European work permits for people from emerging and developing countries. It examines the potential they have to link migration and development policy in a meaningful way, what is required to achieve positive economic impacts on the countries of origin and what the benefits of circular migration are for the host country and the migrants themselves. The Expert Council's recommendations are directed at political actors and employer associations. The Expert Council, for example, recommends testing and evaluating programmes for circular migration in a pilot context.

Good Foundations: German Residence Law and Possibilities for Implementing Circular Migration Programmes.

SVR Info | September 2011

(Only available in German)

In this information paper, the Expert Council – to supplement the information paper "Triple Win or Zero Sum Game?" – presents a minimum definition of circular migration programmes. It identifies their core elements and looks at how circular migration programmes can be adapted to German residence law. Based on its analyses, it recommends testing circular migration programmes in pilot projects as an instrument of migration management with a development policy goal.