Nineteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

Recent research suggests that integration constitutes a crucial objective both for the resettlement in the new environment and the development of refugees’ subjective well-being (Atfield et al, 2007). Considering integration as a “two-way process” that contains the engagement of refugees but also the support of the host country, this study explores how the integration mechanisms as state policy enforce and contribute to this process (Ager and Strang, 2008) The interaction process of refugee children is grounded in its respective social environment. The adoption of (a participatory) observation offers the ground to look through the reactions of refugee children in their everyday habitus (Mason, 2002). Drawing upon the three basic domains of integration (social, economic, and cultural) this research examines the mechanisms that different host centers in Greece use for the integration of unaccompanied refugee children in society. (Council of Europe, 1997) Specifically on-spot research was conducted in a Greek-based host center using a sample of circa 30 unaccompanied refugee children with focus on the services (integration mechanisms), that are provided according to the policy framework of one NGO organization. These services are provisions such as housing, medical health care, financial aid, psychological-psychosocial services, translation services, legal support, and counseling. Results of this research explore the accessibility in the social structures and the configuration of a new identity based on the integration mechanisms, as well as the progress of developing social bonds and bridges in the new society given the fact that refugees deal with new culture, language, and social environment.