BEST Institute for vocational training and personal training GmbH

Bridge

Successful Pathways for the Second Generation of Migrants

The situation of second generation migrants is similar throughout Europe: they are at risk to encounter cultural, linguistic and social difficulties, sometimes they have to face prejudices and their self-esteem may suffer. The main idea behind this project is to prevent such situations of prejudice and self-discrimination particularly among young low skilled second-generation immigrants when they are looking for a job.

What do we understand by second generation of migrants? The definition is controversial: Many experts refer to second generation migrants in case of all individuals who have at least one immigrant parent and who were born in the country in which their parents have migrated to or who arrived in an early stage of their lives in that country (i.e. as teenager in their ‘primary socialization’ phase). Some American sociologists (like Portes, 1996) speak about the generation 2G (born in the country where they live) to distinguish them from the generation 1.75 (who arrived in the childhood, before their 10th anniversary) and generation 1.50 (who arrived as teenagers before their 16th birthday). Any others are considered as primo-migrants. In this project, the partnership will focus mainly on 2G and generation1.75.

The “bridge” between different cultures and a path towards social inclusion will be the main products the partnership will elaborate for teachers and trainers of second generation migrants, as well as materials for second generation migrants who are looking for a job and want to improve their self-esteem and communication skills.

The main products are:

  • a 20 hour training course based on intercultural competences and on autobiographical narratives. Teachers/trainers in the adult education whose learners are second-generation migrants will be able to improve their social cultural competences and teaching approaches towards this target group. The material of the course is mainly based on quantitative and qualitative data about second generation of migrants and on the pedagogical approach based on autobiographical interviews realised by all partners.
  • a 16 hour training course for second-generation migrants. The pedagogical approach based on autobiographic interviews will support self-esteem and improve SGMs’ communication skills, in particular for job interviews.

In addition, the project will elaborate a practical multilingual training guide, a CD-ROM with policy recommendations on quality adult education for SGM and a report handbook. All products will be available by September 2011 free of charge for non commercial use.

In order to guarantee for maximum impact, Bridge project partners will involve other actors, such as further educational experts, policy makers, social partners and employers, throughout processes during and after the funded lifetime of the project.

EU-Program: LLP, Grundtvig Multilateral Projects
Coordination: BEST Institut für berufsbezogene Weiterbildung und Personaltraining GmbH
Contact: Karin Kronika, Helmut Kronika
Duration: October 2009 – September 2011

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.