Integration in Upper Austria: A new path under the State Councilor Dörfel
Integration in Upper Austria: A new path under the State Councilor Dörfel
Linz/Oö. Christian Dörfel (VP) took his office as the regional council for social affairs, integration and youth in Upper Austria almost a month ago. Dörfel, who has been the mayor of Steinbach an der Steyr for 22 years and has been in the state parliament since 2021, sees his new department as a "future department". The focus of his work is the topic of integration, which he classifies as essential for living together in the region.
"Integration affects not only certain groups, but all age groups and areas, including care," explains Dörfel. His approach includes the idea of using role models from different cultures in order to illustrate the importance of the German language. For example, a successfully integrated Turkish -born could influence its fellow human beings to learn the language - which can then have a positive effect on their quality of life. "The faster the immigrants become part of society, the more they can help us, especially with regard to the shortage of skilled workers," says Dörfel.
Integration and cultural understanding
A basic knowledge of how life in Upper Austria is, is a prerequisite for the successful integration. Dörfel calls it the "little multiplication table" of living together. Many immigrants come from countries that are shaped by conflicts and bring different ideas. "For some, this is a cultural shock. You may have never seen a traffic light or have heard of equality," he explains. Therefore, values are important that bring the basic social rules and laws closer to the newcomers.
Another aspect is the clear prioritization of Austrian law about religious regulations, even in delicate matters such as Sharia. "It is necessary that we are responsible for violations. I advocate deportations in things such as refusal to German courses or criminal behavior," emphasizes Dörfel. This affects not only the people themselves, but also those who are actively involved in integration.
Future projects and personal visions
So far, there have been 850 performance cuts among asylum seekers this year, which, according to Dörfel, can have an "educational effect". Projects for promoting the German language, work integration and respect for social norms are sought as future focus of his work. Dörfel does not expect a quick solution to the challenges. He describes integration as a long -term process: "You have to go first to get to your goal. I see myself as a mountain guide who leads a group of people to the summit. The way there can be stony, but the goal is clear." In order to preserve optimism, Dörfel wants to actively go to the districts, especially where there are challenges. "I want to be on site and speak directly to the people," he concludes.More information about the views and projects of Dörfel can be found here .
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