The Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration
Integration and migration are two fundamental issues posing challenges to our society. Until now, however, the political discourse surrounding integration and migration has been without any consistent and independent scientific support. Eight notable German foundations therefore established the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR).
Structure and Organization
The project is an initiative of Stiftung Mercator, the Volkswagen Foundation, the Bertelsmann Foundation, the Freudenberg Foundation, the Hertie Foundation, the Körber Foundation, the Vodafone Foundation and the Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius ZEIT Foundation with the objective of creating an independent and scientific council of experts. From now on, it will publish an annual report and expertises on integration and migration policy issues. The objective is to support federal, state and local politics and civic society by providing scientifically-verified expertises with action recommendations, as well as an evaluation of appropriate measures. The Chairman of the Expert Council is migration research expert, Professor Klaus J. Bade. The Expert Council's office is in Berlin.
Integration Barometer
Stiftung Mercator also supports the Integration Barometer. The Experts Council's Integration Barometer is a survey of both sides of the migration society which investigates reciprocal appraisals, pertinent experience and integration policy measures. The resulting "integration climate" is significant to the issue of whether "investments in integration" will meet with acceptance and whether they will deliver sustainable positive results. Some of the questions will remain constant and enable long-term comparisons while others will change to reflect current focal aspects and problems. The purpose of the Integration Barometer is to increase acceptance for integration and migration developments and to appraise appropriate concepts, institutions and measures at federal, state and local government level.
Objective
The objective is to provide scientifically-verified and action-oriented recommendations on integration and migration for federal, state and local politicians and for civic society.