TITLE:
Intercultural Capital and Social Integration of Refugees
AUTHORS:
Nikolaos Nagopoulos, Ouael Sarsour, Dimitris Paraskevopoulos
KEYWORDS:
Civilization, Culture, Interculturality, Integration, Refugees, Immigrants
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.3,
March
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: Migration is linked over time to the features that constitute a process
of civilization. In order to meet subsistence needs in the host country,
migrant populations seek employment opportunities and improved living
conditions. This reality is reflected through the interaction of the host
society with newcomers at the level of social inclusion, which may be hampered
by limited cultural capacities and resources. At the local level, limited
cooperation between local authorities, intercultural tensions lack of equal
access to selected cultural goods, lack of structural approaches and the
reluctance of some organisations to the wider cultural spectrum to maintain
participation in common social life are factors influencing social inclusion
prospects. However, where cultural diversity thrives, diversity is protected by
critical actors in local communities and intercultural capital is strengthened,
as social cohesion is promoted and possible tensions arising from different
perceptions and attitudes towards value models are addressed and cultural
goods. The aim of the article is to record and study the range of cultural differences
that arise and affect the process of social integration of refugees. This contribution was made in the framework of Action 1.6 “[eAegean_DIG REFUGE] Refugee Crisis Knowledge and Action Platform”, as it is part of the Research e-Infrastructure “[e-Aegean R & D Network] R & D Network in Aegean Archipelagos: Supporting Regional Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Excellence” {Code Number MIS 5046494} which is implemented within the framework of the “Regional Excellence” Action of the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation”. The action was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Greek State [Partnership Agreement 2014-2020].