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Print documentpovečaj pisavozmanjšaj pisavo
Challenges of immigrant integration and development of integration policy in Slovenia

Project leader: dr. Mojca Medvešek
Researchers: dr. Romana Bešter, dr. Miran Komac, dr. Janez Pirc, dr. Mitja Žagar, Sabina Zorčič
Founding: ARRS
Project no.: J5-9351 
Duration of the project: July 2018 - June2021


Slovenia is becoming increasingly attractive for immigrants, not only as a transit country but also as a country of destination. Nevertheless, data on how successfully immigrants and their descendants integrate into the Slovene society remains scarce. Public debates on immigration and the integration of immigrants therefore often draw on generalised or distorted perceptions and stereotypes about immigrants that are not supported by research. To separate reality from subjective perceptions, we need facts and data based on comprehensive measurements and studies of integration processes. The project aimed to examine, through different approaches, the integration of immigrants and their descendants and analyse the integration policy that Slovenia has in place. The integration process was studied using a heuristic model that presumes a disaggregated approach to the study of integration, distinguishing three dimensions (legal-political, socio-economic, and cultural-religious), two stakeholders (immigrants and the host society), and three levels of study (individual, organisations/societies, institutions). In examining the integration process, we also took into account the temporal dimension (immigrants vs. descendants of immigrants) and the comparative aspect (integration of different categories of immigrants, e.g. by country of origin, legal status). This provided a more holistic view of the complex integration process and allowed us to identify the current situation in different areas or dimensions of immigrant integration in Slovenia.

The main objectives of the project were:

1. to investigate the processes of integration of immigrants in Slovenia,
2. to identify the needs and perceptions of immigrants and their descendants regarding integration into Slovene society,
3. to examine the attitudes of members of the majority society towards immigrants,
4. to examine how Slovenia’s integration policy and legislation match the needs manifested in practice.

The integration process was studied mainly through quantitative methodological approaches. The position of immigrants and their descendants vis-à-vis the majority population was determined by comparing statistical data. The needs and perceptions of immigrants and their descendants and the attitudes of the majority population towards immigration, immigrants and the integration policy were identified through a survey conducted among immigrants and their descendants and one conducted on a representative sample of the Slovene population. The legal framework of integration policy was explored by analysing secondary sources (scientific and professional literature, legislation, political documents).

The results of the research provide an outline of the situation of immigrants and their descendants and the perception of integration by immigrants, their descendants, and the majority population of Slovenia, supported by objective indicators.


 
Indicators of the integration of immigrants and their descendants in Slovenia

The project results, published in the monograph Indicators of the Integration of Immigrants and Their Descendants in Slovenia, provide a scientific reference for integration policy-makers and can thus indirectly influence the economic, social and cultural development of Slovenia.
A growing number of European countries, including Austria, Ireland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg, monitor the effects of integration measures through specific indicators. However, there are no clear objectives and indicators to assess the state of integration and the progress or effectiveness of integration policies in Slovenia. Another challenge in determining the success of the integration of immigrants and their descendants is the lack of relevant data for different dimensions of integration and different categories of populations studied in the same timeframe.
The indicators analysed and presented in the monograph provide a scientific reference or baseline for establishing a continuous evaluation of the situation of immigrants and their descendants in various areas, which also allows monitoring and assessing the changes brought about by different (integration) policies




Opinions of immigrants and descendents of immigrants on integration and integration policy in Slovenia

For successful management of an ethnically or culturally diverse society, it is important to know the characteristics of immigrant flows and the socio-demographic structure of immigrant populations. This information can be obtained from various statistical data. Furthermore, it is also important to know the opinions, attitudes, perceptions, wishes, needs and ambitions of the increasingly diverse immigrant populations. For the purposes of development and evaluation of the integration policy, the host country must have information on why or for what reason did immigrants immigrate, how do they live in the host country, what are their characteristics, what are their aspirations for the future and what obstacles do they face in the process of integration. Most of this data is not contained in state statistics and data registers, it can only be obtained through empirical research. The monograph presents findings of our research on the experiences of immigrants and descendants of immigrants in Slovenia and their perceptions of the integration process.



Questionnaires

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Questionnaires "immigrants": Albanian language. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 25 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14085709]

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Questionnaires "immigrants": English language. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 24 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14085453

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Questionnaires "immigrants": Bosnian language. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 23 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14085197

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Questionnaires "immigrants": Croatian language. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 24 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14084941

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, vprašalnik "priseljenci": Slovene language. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 25 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14084429

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Questionnaires "immigrants": Serbian language. [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 24 f., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 14084685

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Questionnaires : "descendants of immigrants" - Slovene language. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 17 f., tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 14022147]


Data Description


MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Data description: "descendants of immigrants". Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 50 str., tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 14087171]

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP4: identifikacija percepcij priseljencev o integraciji, Data description: "Immigrants". Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2019. 107 str., tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 14088195



Slovenia’s majority population’s perspective on immigration, immigrants, and integration

 

The monograph contributes to the understanding of the current attitude of Slovenia’s majority population towards immigration, immigrants, and their integration. It reveals the factors that influence the formation of the majority population’s attitude and the strength of their influence. The authors explore whether the majority population’s attitude is influenced by factors related to perceptions of economic, security or cultural threats, the importance of intergroup contacts between the majority population and immigrants, and the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of individuals. It should be pointed out that the attitudes of the majority population towards immigration and immigration policy were studied separately from the attitudes towards immigrants and from the attitudes towards integration. The research was based on two theoretical frameworks - the group threat theory and the (intergroup) contact theory.


Questionnaires


MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji,  WP5: odnos večinskega prebivalstva do (integracije) priseljencev in njihovih potomcev: vprašalnik za prebivalce Slovenije (attitude of the majority population towards (integration of) immigrants and their descendants: a questionnaire for the inhabitants of Slovenia). [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2020. 13 pages., tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 19031555]

Data Description

MEDVEŠEK, Mojca (author, project leader), BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji, WP5: odnos večinskega prebivalstva do (integracije) priseljencev in njihovih potomcev: zbirnik (attitude of the majority population towards (integration of) immigrants and their descendants: data description). [Ljubljana], Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2020. 167 pagres, tab. [COBISS.SI-ID 33916931



 

Publications:

Medvešek, Mojca, Bešter, Romana, Pirc, Janez. Razvoj integracijskih programov za priseljence v Sloveniji. (Development of Civic Integration Programmes in Slovenia) in Medvešek, Mojca (ed.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (d). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana, Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, pp. 169–195, [COBISS.SI-ID 45532931] 
 
An increasing number of countries are complementing their integration policies with civic integration programmes that have emerged in response to concerns about the success of immigrant integration. The number of countries that make certain rights conditional on immigrant participation in civic integration programmes is also increasing. However, there are significant differences between the countries in terms of the content and manner of implementation of civic integration programmes. The chapter presents the development, content and implementation of civic integration programmes in Slovenia and the attitudes of immigrants towards such. In the last two decades, civic integration programmes have undergone some changes since their introduction. If initially, Slovene language courses were intended for foreign nationals who had been residing in Slovenia for a longer period of time, they are now open to third country nationals who have a temporary residence permit valid for at least one year. Yet not all third country nationals are entitled to the same scope of civic integration programmes. This depends, in particular, on the type of residence permit they have and on the duration of their stay in Slovenia. Looking at the data on net migration from abroad for 2011–2018 only, the number of participants in civic integration programmes is low. On the other hand, the results of an online survey conducted among immigrants show that they consider the knowledge of the Slovene language as the most important factor for integration into the Slovene society. Various forms of civic integration programmes were also assessed positively. Likewise, it turned out that the respondents who learned Slovene in a free language course (initial immigrant integration course) rated their knowledge of Slovene lower than the respondents who learned Slovene elsewhere (e.g. in the education system, at work, among friends), which is probably due to the modest number of hours of the course that takes place under the civic integration programme. If Slovenia is to follow the countries where knowledge of the language of the host country is a requirement for the first renewal of the residence permit, immigrants need to have access to effective language courses that take into account their past educational experience, language needs, and skills.

Pirc, Janez, Bešter, Romana, Medvešek, Mojca. Stanovanjsko področje v Sloveniji za priseljence in njihove potomce: pravna ureditev in izbrani kazalniki v praksi.  (Housing Situation of Immigrants and their Descendants inSlovenia: Legal Regulation and Selected Indicators in Practice) In Medvešek, Mojca (ed.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ed.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, pp 197–230, [COBISS.SI-ID 45659651] 
 
This chapter presents various aspects of housing regulation in the context of integration of immigrants and their descendants in Slovenia. The emphasis is on where and why there are differences between immigrants and Slovenian citizens or persons whose first residence is in Slovenia. The chapter focuses on the regulation of housing for the above-mentioned individuals from a legal and practical point of view. The central part of the chapter starts with an analysis of the legal regulation of housing in Slovenia for foreign nationals and of the development of this area since the country has gained independence. The legal part covers the accommodation of foreign workers by their employers and the acquisition of property rights on real estate and rental of real estate by foreign nationals. In the second part of the chapter, statistical indicators and survey results shed light on the housing situation and trends over the last decade for individuals living in Slovenia whose first residence was abroad, compared to the population with first residence in Slovenia and, partly, the descendants of immigrants. This part depicts the actual situation of immigrants and their descendants in terms of apartment ownership, overcrowding and size, as well as housing conditions. Data show that in all the analysed areas, immigrants are worse-off than the majority population, while the situation of their descendants is comparable to the rest of the population born in Slovenia. Among the immigrants, the nationals of most third countries have the least rights in the real estate market, while according to practical situation indicators the worst-off are immigrants who have lived in Slovenia for less than ten years, originate from a third country, and live on the territory of the City Municipality of Ljubljana.

 
Bešter, Romana, Medvešek, Mojca, Pirc, Janez. Položaj priseljencev na področju zdravja in zdravstvenega varstva v Sloveniji. (The Situation of Immigrants in Health and Healthcare in Slovenia) in Medvešek, Mojca (ed.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ed.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, pp. 231–260, [COBISS.SI-ID 45671427] 

This chapter discusses the situation of immigrants in Slovenia in health and healthcare, focusing on immigrants’ opportunities for access to and equal treatment in healthcare. Four main aspects are being addressed: the right to health and healthcare, access to health insurance, immigrants’ knowledge of their rights and access to healthcare, and language barriers. The chapter explores whether immigrants experience unequal treatment when it comes to access to health services in Slovenia and whether the state has taken any measures to eliminate barriers that (may) lead to unequal treatment. Based on an analysis of legislation, policy documents, and data from various surveys, the authors conclude that in recent years the health aspect has been perceived as an important element of integration in Slovenia. Difficulties and barriers faced by immigrants in accessing healthcare have also been identified. Nevertheless, specific systemic measures that would, in practice, help to eliminate the barriers and ensure equal opportunities and equal treatment of immigrants in the Slovenian healthcare system are still missing.

 
Žagar, Mitja. Odprt vključujoč javni dialog: pristop, orodje, ideologija in cilj (Open and Inclusive Public Dialogue: Approach, Tool, Ideology and Goal). In Medvešek, Mojca (ed.), Novak-Lukanovič, Sonja (ed.). Raznolikost v raziskovanju etničnosti: izbrani pogledi II. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja. 2020, pp. 11–39. [COBISS.SI-ID 45309187] 
 
Successful communication enables social animals, humans included, to integrate and live in their social communities, as well as the successful functioning and long-term existence of such. This study addresses the concept, role and process of dialogue in complex, plural and diverse human societies. A special emphasis is placed on an open and inclusive public dialogue, defined as an approach, a concept, a tool, an ideology and a goal, and above all as an ongoing process which – with the involvement of all stakeholders and a tolerant consideration of all relevant topics relating to the past, present and future – enables the inclusion, participation and integration of individuals and various collective entities into their social environments. A continuous dialogue process can contribute to overcoming divisions and exclusions in modern societies, which are encouraged, inter alia, by the traditional concept and model of the nation state, nationalisms, exclusionary policies and elites that see the internally homogeneous (one) nation state as a tool for realising the national interests of the titular nation. The above players see social complexity, plurality, asymmetries and diversity as unnecessary complications, obstacles and problems, which contributes to the exclusion and marginalisation of »the others«, including social minorities and their members. Processes of open and inclusive public dialogue are particularly relevant in the Alps-Danube-Adriatic region, where historical divisions and conflicts could be overcome by establishing a peace region. To study such complex topics and phenomena, we use multi-, trans- and interdisciplinary approaches building on methodological pluralism and based primarily on law and political science. Our research confirms that the process of open and inclusive public dialogue enables a tolerant discussion of the past, present and future, including topics that divide the social environments. As a tool for regulating and managing socially relevant diversities, it can strengthen social cohesion, stability, coexistence, solidarity and cooperation, and contribute to building social consensus on future development.

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, pp. 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 46256387]

ZORČIČ, Sabina. Učenje na daljavo dopolnilnega pouka maternega jezika in kulture otrok drugih narodnosti v šolskem letu 2020/21. In MUNDA HIRNÖK, Katalin (ed.), NOVAK-LUKANOVIČ, Sonja (ed.). Svet je postal drugačen : vpliv covida-19 na etnične manjšine in obmejni prostor v Sloveniji in sosednjih državah. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2021. pp. 283-308, tab. ISBN 978-961-6159-76-0. [COBISS.SI-ID 103731203]

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 107789827]

Conferences


MEDVEŠEK, Mojca, BEŠTER, Romana, PIRC, Janez. Socio-ekonomske značilnosti Hrvatov v Sloveniji: predavanje na tribuni in znanstvenem posvetu Hrvati v Sloveniji (The socio-economic characteristics of Croats in Slovenia: a lecture given at the symposium on Croats in Slovenia) Kulturni center Janeza Trdine, Novo Mesto, 15. 9. 2021. [COBISS.SI-ID 76604675]

The socio-economic characteristics of immigrant populations have an impact on their integration into the receiving societies. However, the socio-economic characteristics of individual immigrant communities vary. The characteristics of Croatian immigrants to Slovenia were presented at the symposium to the members of the Croatian community and Slovene and Croatian experts and politicians. The main (demographic) characteristic of Croatian-born residents of Slovenia is their above-average age (compared to other immigrant populations). Age as well as the fact that this is an immigrant community with a long history of immigration directly or indirectly influence a multitude of other demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Croatian immigrants that distinguish them from other communities of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia: a high share of the elderly population and a high share of individuals holding Slovene citizenship among Croatian-born immigrants; a low share of individuals living in consensual (non-marital) union (less than 10% for both sexes); a high share of mixed marriages/partnerships – especially with Slovene-born individuals (with no immigrant background); a decreasing number of Croatian-born residents of Slovenia over the last two decades; a high share of pensioners, namely 53% (in the population aged 15 and over) and thus a low share of employed persons (34%) in the active population and a low share of recipients of social benefits (parental and family benefits; social assistance; benefits from the social insurance system).
 
 
 

 


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]

In 2017, for the third time (before already 2003 and 2014) the Association of Cultural Societies of the Constituent Nations and Nationalities of the former SFRY in Slovenia presented to the highest political representatives an initiative for the constitutional and legal regulation of the position of minority communities from the former SFRY in Slovenia: Albanians, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, Croats, Macedonians and Serbs. In addition, in 2011, the Association of Croatian Societies in Slovenia submitted to the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia the Initiative for the Constitutional Recognition of Croats in Slovenia. The initiatives reflect the dissatisfaction of these communities with their situation. The paper presented the basic characteristics of the model of protection of national minorities in Slovenia, and also asked whether the distinction between different minorities in this model is justified, or whether we can talk about discrimination on ethnic basis. Above all, the paper presented proposals for improving the protection of the Croatian minority in Slovenia.



PIRC, Janez, MEDVEŠEK, Mojca, BEŠTER, Romana. Opinions of the majority population of Slovenia on immigration: paper at the 26th International Scientific Conference on National Minorities, Migration and Security, hotel Neptun, Brioni, 20. September 2022. [COBISS.SI-ID 122502915]
 

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.

 

Event


24. 5. 2022, je v Cukrarni na Poljanskem nasipu v Ljubljani potekal dogodek z naslovom Ali smo vključujoča družba? / Are we an inclusive society?, ki ga je organiziral Mirovni inštitut. Na njem je dr. Romana Bešter predstavila rezultate raziskave o odnosu večinskega prebivalstva Slovenije do priseljevanja, priseljencev in integracije priseljencev v Sloveniji, izvedene pri  projektu Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji. [COBISS.SI-ID 109054211]

The event was organised within the framework of the projects National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM) and Voices of Immigrant Women (VIW) and was aimed at all those working in the field of integration, both in state institutions and NGOs, informal groups, researchers, students, lecturers and other professionals, as well as journalists. The paper with the findings of the project Challenges of Immigrant Integration and the Development of Integration Policy in Slovenia, presented by the members of the project team, contributed to the dissemination of knowledge on the factors influencing the formation of opinions of the Slovene majority population on immigration, immigrants and integration.



 


Media

RTV SLO, Val 2020, Vroči mikrofon, informativni program, 25. maj 2022, Gorazd Rečnik: Smo vključujoča družba? Begunce se ločuje med sabo kljub dejstvi, da vsi potrebujejo zaščito, v oddaji je dr. Romana Bešter spregovorila o rezultatih raziskave o odnosu večinskega prebivalstva Slovenije do priseljevanja, priseljencev in integracije priseljencev v Sloveniji. Omenjena raziskava je bila del projekta Izzivi integracije priseljencev in razvoj integracijske politike v Sloveniji.   [COBISS.SI-ID 109670659]

 
Infografika


Kazalniki integracije priseljencev


Vključenost priseljencev na trg dela 


Socio-ekonomske značilnosti Hrvatov v Sloveniji

 
 
 

Stališča večinskega prebivalstva do priseljevanja


 

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