Reunion in Borgfeld: Refugees celebrate six years of welcoming culture!

Reunion in Borgfeld: Refugees celebrate six years of welcoming culture!

A moving chapter in Bremen's history will soon be concluded with a big reunion in Borgfeld. Uwe Rosenberg located almost all of the 80 young people who were accommodated in a gymnasium during the refugee crisis in 2015. This celebration, planned for October at the Red Cross leisure center, will bring together not only the former refugees, but also committed volunteers and Bremen's mayor. It is a significant moment that illustrates the solidarity and commitment of the people of Bremen, as taz.de reports.

In the fall of 2015, when many people fled war and persecution, several gymnasiums in Bremen were used as emergency shelters. The 80 unaccompanied minors who arrived in Borgfeld on October 2, 2015 included young people from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. They lived in the gymnasium for 123 days before being moved to other housing. During this time, Rosenberg and his colleague Hermann Vinke worked tirelessly to help the young people through German lessons and support with administrative procedures.

Integration as the key to success

The integration of refugees is of utmost importance for coexistence in the host society. Especially in Bremen, where around five million people were actively called upon to support refugees in 2015, it is clear that many of them have found a foothold in their new lives. Professions such as tram drivers, geriatric nurses and construction mechanics are just a few examples of successful integration. UNO refugee aid emphasizes that early integration into daily life significantly increases the chances of integration.

Integration is a complex process that not only includes legal and economic aspects, but also requires the adaptability of both refugees and the host society. The aim is for refugees to be given equal rights and opportunities, ideally through the acquisition of citizenship.

New challenges and opportunities in Borgfeld

The event in October will not only be a look back at the last few years, but also a look ahead to the future. In August 2025, construction of new accommodation will begin in Borgfeld, which will provide space for 35 families eligible for asylum. Despite the contradictions of residents who spoke out against the construction, the mayor emphasizes the need for a fair distribution of refugees in the city. The Borgfeld Round Table, a citizens' initiative, plans to provide the new refugees with similar support to that provided in 2015, as taz.de reports.

But not everything is unproblematic. A current study by the Bertelsmann Foundation shows that skepticism towards immigration increases with increasing refugee migration. According to surveys, concerns about rising social costs, housing shortages and school problems are becoming increasingly louder. Nevertheless, the majority of the population remains optimistic and sees the welcoming culture firmly anchored in the communities.

In Borgfeld and beyond, integrative work remains a social concern that benefits not only the newcomers, but also existing communities. Mutually supportive cooperation is the key to successful integration.