11. and 12. May 2009, SWR `Funkhaus´ Stuttgart 11th Media Forum Migration

60 years Federal Republic - 60 years as a country of immigration

The measures decided upon by the Federal Government in its national integration plan were examined in order to assess the present situation regarding immigration and integration in Germany. The federal republic needed 5 decades until it officially accepted that it was a country of immigration.

Despite efforts made over the years, immigrants remain disadvantaged in Germany. Although one comes repeatedly across stories of successful integration, international studies, above all the PISA studies into the academic performance of pupils, still indicate major discrepancies in Germany in such areas as education and training or political involvement of individuals with migration background.

On the other hand, more and more young people, whose parents had once migrated to Germany, manage the transition to tertiary education. The number of successful young entrepreneurs with a migration background is on the increase.

Politicians often point out that much has been achieved. Are then immigration and integration, in the light of all the activities of the federal government, still being critically dealt with?

In recent times the number of anchor men and women, journalists and editors with a migration background have increased in all areas. However, for many broadcasters colleagues with a different skin colour or a foreign name act rather as figureheads or gems instead of real employees at senior level