Social Inclusion and the Settlement Sector; A Cross-National Comparison between Germany and Canada

This study will examine Germany and Canada through a comparative, cross-national case study. An in-depth literature review and policy analysis will contextualize the differences and similarities of Canadian and German settlement sectors, allowing for a better understanding of the link between non-profit settlement services and social inclusion in each country. In particular, this study will focus on the ways in which the governance and funding of immigrant-serving agencies strengthens or challenges their ability to serve newcomer clients.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau argues that “diversity is our strength”, both in terms of national economic growth and social diversity. However, in Canada, our multicultural and inclusive rhetoric is not always reflected in settlement outcomes, and newcomers are often excluded both in our labour market more broadly in society. Canadian immigrant-serving agencies are challenged by a system of federal and provincial governance that is often underfunded and uncoordinated. While Germany has federally coordinated settlement services to a greater extent, immigrant-serving agencies face difficulties in service provision due in part to unprecedented levels of immigration since 2014. Both in Germany and Canada, while smaller immigrant-run service agencies provide linguistically compatible and culturally sensitive services they are are particularly challenged to make ends meet […]

Faculty Supervisor:

John Shields

Student:

Partner:

University of Osnabrück

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

Toronto Metropolitan University

Program: