Challenges of immigrant integration and the development of integration policy in Slovenia
The aim of the project is to examine the process and current state of integration of immigrants and their descendants in Slovenia. We will be interested in the role played by immigrants (and their descendants) in the integration process and the role played by the majority society with its attitudes, policies, and legal and institutional arrangements. In doing so, we will take into account the various dimensions of the integration process: legal-political, socio-economic, and cultural-religious.
- To investigate how the processes of immigrant integration in Slovenia are proceeding.
- To identify the needs and perceptions of immigrants and their descendants regarding their inclusion or integration into Slovenian society.
- To examine the attitudes of members (and institutions) of the majority society towards immigrants.
- To examine how Slovenian integration policy and legislation are aligned with the needs that arise in practice.
Research questions:
- How is the integration of immigrants and their descendants in Slovenia reflected in objective indicators in the areas of employment, education, housing, social transfers, media and cultural production, etc.?
- How do immigrants and their descendants in Slovenia perceive their integration into Slovenian society?
- In which areas do immigrants and their descendants in Slovenia perceive a need for active systemic assistance at the national and local levels, and do they perceive the possibility of participating themselves in the formulation of integration policy in Slovenia?
- What sources of assistance do immigrants use to integrate into Slovenian society (informal, formal, within their own ethnic community)?
- What differences in integration are evident among different categories of immigrants (based on country of origin, education, gender, age, legal status, ethnicity)?
- What is the attitude of members of the majority society towards immigrants and their descendants (and their integration)?
- How do members of the majority society perceive their role in the integration process?
- Does the existing Slovenian integration policy address areas that are relevant in practice for promoting the integration process, and if so, how?
The three dimensions mentioned above are not independent of each other. The legal-political dimension can define the socio-economic and cultural-religious dimensions. At the level of the individual immigrant, this means that their legal status defines the opportunities they have in the field of employment (socio-economic dimension). The cultural-religious dimension can influence the socio-economic dimension; for example, when an immigrant cannot enter the labor market due to prejudice and stereotypes on the part of employers.
Work package 2 – Analysis of integration policy and legislation in the field of immigrant integration in Slovenia
We did the following:
- a) An analysis of the legal and political framework for integration, which showed that over the last 30 years, legislation and strategic documents defining the possibilities for immigration and integration of immigrants in Slovenia have been gradually developing, although this development has not always been positive. Often, the changes are not based on realistic considerations of the needs of immigrants and Slovenian society, but merely represent a mechanical compliance with the minimum requirements of the EU, and in part reflect the ideological orientation of the current government in a given period. As in many other EU countries, the development of integration policy in Slovenia is moving towards increasing the requirements for immigrants to adapt to the host society. We have divided the development of Slovenian integration policy chronologically into four periods, depending on which factors influenced the formation of guidelines and legal bases important for the integration of immigrants in each period.
b) Analysis of policy content and specific measures. We analyzed the areas in which political measures have been adopted, the objectives of these measures, and the target groups. We focused on the following areas: entry into the country and long-term residence, civic integration, family reunification, access to the labor market, integration into the education and training system, political participation, access to health and social care, housing, opportunities to preserve culture and religion, and acquisition of citizenship. - c) Management analysis. We were interested in how integration policies are organized and implemented. We examined vertical (national/local level) and horizontal (involvement of various stakeholders) aspects of the organization and implementation of policies. We analyzed the management of immigrant integration in two municipalities: Ljubljana and Velenje. Although legal documents provide for the management of immigrant integration at the local level, which should take the form of coordinated vertical action, in practice this is implemented in a rather haphazard manner.
Work package 3 – Assessing the position of immigrants and their descendants in relation to the majority population on the basis of objective indicators
We analyzed the position of immigrants and descendants of immigrants in various areas or dimensions of integration. For each dimension, we used indicators to check whether the position of immigrants and descendants of immigrants differs from that of the majority population. As a starting point, we used a set of so-called Zaragos indicators, which are used at the EU level to monitor the results of integration policies in the areas of employment, education, social inclusion, and active citizenship. We added indicators for social protection, health and healthcare, and housing. The analysis of the indicators partially reveals whether integration is successful or not. Despite its limitations, it is a good starting point for further research into integration. It has been shown that within some dimensions of integration there are greater differences between the populations under consideration, while within others there are smaller differences. When considering the dimensions of integration, it is necessary to monitor not only the indicators for the entire immigrant population, but also separately for individual groups within the immigrant population (e.g., by gender, citizenship, country of birth). The analysis showed that two groups are particularly vulnerable: female immigrants and descendants of immigrants.
Work package 4 – Opinions of immigrants and descendants of immigrants on integration and integration policy
Questionnaires
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik “priseljenci”: albanski jezik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 25 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14085709]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik “priseljenci”: angleški jezik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 24 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14085453]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik “priseljenci”: bosanski jezik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 23 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14085197]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik “priseljenci”: hrvaški jezik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 24 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14084941]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik “priseljenci”: slovenski jezik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 25 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14084429]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik “priseljenci”: srbski jezik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 24 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14084685]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik: “potomci priseljencev” – slovenski jezik. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 17 f., tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 14022147]
Collection
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, zbirnik: “potomci priseljencev”. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 50 str., tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 14087171]
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, zbirnik: “priseljenci”. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 107 str., tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 14088195]
Delovni sklop 5 – Mnenja večinskega prebivalstva o priseljencih in priseljevanju
Questionnaires
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS 5: odnos večinskega prebivalstva do (integracije) priseljencev in njihovih potomcev: vprašalnik za prebivalce Slovenije. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2020. 13 str., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 19031555]
financer: ARRS, Temeljni projekti, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji; Obdobje trajanja projekta: julij 2018-junij 2021; izvajalec: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, Ljubljana
Collection
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (avtor, vodja projekta), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, DS 5: odnos večinskega prebivalstva do (integracije) priseljencev in njihovih potomcev: zbirnik. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2020. 167 str., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 33916931]
financer: ARRS, Temeljni projekti, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji; Obdobje trajanja projekta: julij 2018-junij 2021; izvajalec: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, Ljubljana
Publications
Medvešek, Mojca, Bešter, Romana, Pirc, Janez. Razvoj integracijskih programov za priseljence v Sloveniji. V: Medvešek, Mojca (ur.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ur.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana, Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, str. 169–195, [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/45532931″>45532931</a>] financer: ARRS, temeljni projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji
Pirc, Janez, Bešter, Romana, Medvešek, Mojca. Stanovanjsko področje v Sloveniji za priseljence in njihove potomce: pravna ureditev in izbrani kazalniki v praksi. V: Medvešek, Mojca (ur.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ur.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, str. 197–230, [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/45659651″>45659651</a>] financer: ARRS, temeljni projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji
Bešter, Romana, Medvešek, Mojca, Pirc, Janez. Položaj priseljencev na področju zdravja in zdravstvenega varstva v Sloveniji. V: Medvešek, Mojca (ur.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ur.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, str. 231–260, [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/45671427″>45671427</a>] financer: ARRS, temeljni projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji
Žagar, Mitja. Odprt vključujoč javni dialog : pristop, orodje, ideologija in cilj. V: Medvešek, Mojca (ur.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ur.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, str. 11–39. [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/45309187″>45309187</a>] financer: ARRS, raziskovalni program, P5-0081, SI, Manjšinske in etnične študije ter slovensko narodno vprašanje; ARRS, temeljni projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji; ARRS, temeljni projekt, J6-9373, SI, Institucionalna dvojezičnost na narodno mešanih območjih v Sloveniji: evalvacija dodatka za dvojezičnost; ARRS, temeljni projekt, J5-4130, SI, Varstvo manjšin in manjšinske pravice kot dejavnik integracije in upravljanja različnosti: študija primerov in primerjalna študija držav srednje in jugovzhodne Evrope; Besedilo, katerega segmenti so uporabljeni v monografiji o projektu (Brousek, Grafenauer, Wintersteiner in Wutti, 2020), je nastalo v okviru projekta Razvoj mirovne regije Alpe-Jadran (PRAA), ki ga je sofinanciral Urad zveznega kanclerja Republike Avstrije.
Žagar, Mitja. Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and covid-19 pandemic on societies, sciences and minorities. Razprave in gradivo: revija za narodnostna vprašanja, ISSN 0354-0286. dec. 2020, no. 85, str. 5-32. https://rig-td.si/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Rig-85-Zagar.pdf, doi: 10.36144/RiG85.dec20.5-32. [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/46256387″>46256387</a>] financer: ARRS, raziskovalni program, P5-0081, SI, Manjšinske in etnične študije ter slovensko narodno vprašanje; ARRS, Temeljni projekti, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji.
ZORČIČ, Sabina. Učenje na daljavo dopolnilnega pouka maternega jezika in kulture otrok drugih narodnosti v šolskem letu 2020/21. V: MUNDA HIRNÖK, Katalin (ur.), NOVAK-LUKANOVIČ, Sonja (ur.). Svet je postal drugačen : vpliv covida-19 na etnične manjšine in obmejni prostor v Sloveniji in sosednjih državah. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2021. Str. 283-308, tab. ISBN 978-961-6159-76-0. [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/103731203″>103731203</a>]
financer: ARRS, program, P5-0081, SI, Manjšinske in etnične študije ter slovensko narodno vprašanje; ARRS, projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji.
Medvešek, Mojca, Bešter, Romana, Pirc, Janez. Mnenja večinskega prebivalstva Slovenije o priseljevanju, priseljencih in integraciji. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2022. 219 str., ilustr. ISBN 978-961-6159-78-4. [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/107789827″>107789827</a>] financer: ARRS, Projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji.
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca, BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Factors influencing the attitudes of the majority population of Slovenia towards immigration. Razprave in gradivo: revija za narodnostna vprašanja. [Tiskana izd.]. 2022, no. 89, str. 29-47, tabele. ISSN 0354-0286. https://rig-td.si/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/02.pdf, DOI: 10.36144/RiG89.dec22.29-47. [COBISS.SI-ID <a href=”https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/135273219″>135273219</a>], [SNIP] financer: ARRS, Projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji; ARRS, Program, P5-0081, SI, Manjšinske in etnične študije ter slovensko narodno vprašanje.
Conferences
MEDVEŠEK, Mojca, BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Socio-ekonomske značilnosti Hrvatov v Sloveniji: predavanje na tribuni in znanstvenem posvetu Hrvati v Sloveniji, Kulturni center Janeza Trdine, Novo Mesto, 15. 9. 2021. [COBISS.SI-ID 76604675] financer: ARRS, Temeljni projekti, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji
KOMAC, Miran. Hrvaška narodna manjšina v (znotraj) modela/ureditve varstva narodnih manjšin v Sloveniji: predavanje na tribuni in znanstvenem posvetu “Hrvati v Sloveniji”, Kulturni center Janeza Trdine, Novo Mesto, 15. 9. 2021. [COBISS.SI-ID 76601347] financer: ARRS, Temeljni projekti, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji
PIRC, Janez, MEDVEŠEK, Mojca, BEŠTER, Romana. Opinions of the majority population of Slovenia on immigration : prispevek na 26. međunarodni znanstveni konferenciji Nacionalne manjine, migracije i sigurnost, hotel Neptun, Brioni, 20. september 2022. [COBISS.SI-ID 122502915], financer: ARRS, projekt, J5-9351, SI, Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji
BEŠTER, Romana, MEDVEŠEK, Mojca, PIRC, Janez: Opinions of the Majority Population of Slovenia on Integration of Immigrants and on Integration Policy, prispevek na mednarodni znanstveni konferenci Migracije na rubu Europe: trendovi, politike i izazovi/Migration on the Edge of Europe: Trends, Policies, and Challenges, 29. septembra 2022, Kuća Europe (Augusta Cesarca 4), Zagreb.
Events
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, an event entitled Are we an inclusive society? was held at Cukrarna on Poljanski nasip in Ljubljana, organized by the Peace Institute. At the event, Dr. Romana Bešter presented the results of a study on the attitude of the majority population of Slovenia towards immigration, immigrants, and the integration of immigrants in Slovenia, conducted as part of the project Challenges of Immigrant Integration and the Development of Integration Policy in Slovenia. [COBISS.SI-ID 109054211]
In the media
RTV SLO, Val 2020, Vroči mikrofon, news program, May 25, 2022, Gorazd Rečnik: Are we an inclusive society? Refugees are divided among themselves despite the fact that they all need protection. In the program, Dr. Romana Bešter spoke about the results of a study on the attitude of the majority population of Slovenia towards immigration, immigrants, and the integration of immigrants in Slovenia. The survey was part of the project Challenges of Immigrant Integration and the Development of Integration Policy in Slovenia. [COBISS.SI-ID 109670659]
