Education International Research
qualification are required. At national level, GEW tries to push boundaries and advocates for support and improved access of refugees to higher and further education teacher training programmes (including the provision of free German language courses and consulting services). At state level, GEW branches in Hamburg and Berlin have established support programmes for the professional integration of refugee teachers. The refugee-buddy-programme in Hamburg is named ‘Here to participate!’ 47 and aims to bring union members and refugee teachers together to facilitate professional exchange and cooperation. It addresses refugees in different languages and provides information and contact references regarding the recognition of foreign degrees and work permits in Germany.48 It has organised information events about teaching observation. In Berlin, the GEW state branch established a similar project named ‘Peer-Up’.49 It also invites their members regularly to establish a peer-to-peer network with qualified refugees who want to work in the educational sector. Since teachers and educators who qualified abroad can become GEW members without being employed in Germany, they are also introduced to other union activities by their buddy partners or peers. It is conceivable that a working group structure for the self-organisation of refugee union members will be established. A practical guide concerning the possible range of support and legal protection services offered by the union (excluding counselling services concerning asylum law) is being worked on. In addition, solidarity networks at international, national and local level with refugee teachers are manifold – ranging from the individual, practical support for colleagues who seek refuge in Germany to fostering school-partnerships in conflict regions and fundraising actions to support the work of other unions.
47 https://www.gew-hamburg.de/themen/gew/here-to-participate Accessed 20 October 2017. 48 https://www.gew-hamburg.de/themen/gew/infos-zum-thema-anerkennung-und-arbeitserlaubnis Accessed 20 October 2017. 49 https://www.gew-berlin.de/18029.php Accessed 20 October 2017.
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