“Language is the key to integration”

How would you define successful integration?
For me, integration succeeds when people get fully involved: in the neighbourhood, at the workplace, in the sports club. That’s why integration concerns not just the immigrants but all 83 million people in Germany. Integration from the very beginning – for everyone, whether they are immigrants or were born here – is the key to participation and a sense of belonging in society. 

What are your main goals as Commissioner?
My main goals are to ensure equal opportunities for a self-determined life and to strengthen social cohesion. I want to contribute to making integration succeed. It really is vital, not least in view of the growing polarisation in our society. Of course I’m aware of the challenges municipalities have faced for years, and we need to solve the problems that are out there. But we mustn’t lose sight of the opportunities and the positive aspects of diversity and immigration.  

How important is language learning, and what are you doing to create more low-threshold opportunities to learn German?
Language is the key to integration. Anyone who lives or grows up here has to be able to speak German. That’s why I pushed for massive investment in integration and work-related language courses in the federal budget, for wider access to courses, and for good provision of German classes in all regions. We’ll also be launching a multi-billion programme called Startchancen for nurseries, with language learning for all children as a focus. 

The federal government wants to curb irregular migration yet expand the immigration of skilled workers. Is that a contradiction?
No, these are two aspects of the same issue: our aim is to manage migration efficiently. Germany needs more skilled workers from abroad if we're to secure prosperity in the future. That’s why we’ve made amendments to the Skilled Immigration Act and are now adding the Work-and-Stay agency, and it’s why we want qualifications from abroad to be recognised more quickly. We’re in favour of Germany as a country of immigration and the right to asylum. But that also means that if people are not granted protection status after their asylum procedure is complete, they have to be sent back. 

What do you say to people who have fears and concerns about migration, and in some cases are very sceptical about it?
I understand when people are worried because neighbourhoods and districts change, headlines about irregular migration tend to dominate, and asylum seekers commit terrible crimes. That’s why I want to make it quite clear: everyone here must of course obey the law, every crime is prosecuted, and we must know who is entering the country. But I also say clearly: Germany has always been a country of immigration and this is one of the things that has made us a strong country in the centre of Europe. Probably every German family has a story to tell of immigration or displacement in past generations. Without immigration, our society would be poorer, smaller and older. Immigration creates jobs, growth and future in many regions of our country.