| Paul Mecheril: Introduction migration pedagogy | | Print | |
| Petra Herre | 18.10.2006 | Publications - Book reviews | ||||
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Migration is a permanent challenge for Western-European societies. It reveals problems of the welfare state and for the legitimacy of the objectives of society which strives for egalitarianism and justice. The questions of migration in Germany and their relevance for pedagogy and its field of application, for the education system and for the area of social work, are discussed by Paul Mecheril, lecturer at the University of Bielefeld. Mecheril outlines the history of migration since 1949 and distinguishes between three types of migration in a chronological order: Resettlement, labour migration and fleeing. In order to solve problems in labour market politics, the recruitment of “guest workers” since 1961 and the subsequent labour migration was carried out with the intention of providing only a residence permit with limited validity. As a consequence of this intention, no integrative measures such as language, i.e. German, courses were provided. After the end of the restrictive border policy in 1989, the resettlement and acceptance of people of German ethnicity from the area of the former Soviet Union, Poland and Romania which received German nationality strong rehabilitation aid and thus posses a privileged status have pushed the situation even further. The continuous migration phenomenon of fleeing is regulated in asylum law which is anchored in the constitution. Mecheril is interested in the issue of the “the Other” and the dealing with it. Additionally the question of “Acceptance” is of importance to him and he starts his considerations with the question “Who is a migrant“? He deals with the topics of inclusion and exclusion, with how a national state society defines its borders and how within them it deals with differences, heterogeneity and inequality. “Migration expounds the problems of borders”, especially the “symbolic border of membership”, which becomes an individual, social and societal issue. The question “Who is a German” is answered in a formal way by means of nationality and passport. But in the life-worlds (Lebenswelt) and their membership discussions, habitus and look play a more important role in cases of doubt. With this, Mecheril has arrived at his concern: the consequences of migration phenomena for pedagogics and its forms of organisation and acting. The starting point for his position and his new approach is the discussion of the existing concepts about dealing with the “natio-ethno-culturally Other”. In the 1970s the “Foreigners’ pedagogy” (Ausländerpädagogik) was predominant. ”Difference” was put into focus in the 1980s. “Intercultural pedagogy” and “intercultural competence” were the main concepts for dealing with foreignness; “intercultural encounters” were common practice. The focus lies on culture. However, this focus neglects the fact that at aspects such as gender, status or level of education are relevant for the heterogeneity of groups. Mecheril calls his new approach “Migration Pedagogy”. The focus of his concept lies in the key terms "Acceptance" (Anerkennung) and “Transition“ (Verschiebung). The term “Acceptance" marks the normative principles and political claims of minority groups towards participation and self-determination. The term “Transition” refers to the conflicts with dominant membership rules, with inclusion and exclusion mechanisms and tries to eliminate the rigidly-exclusive and delineative element of memberships. Memberships are to be dealt with flexibly, partially and “transitorily”. The concept of “Transition” describes a practice which keeps the issue of membership in perspective and discussion through knowledge of power relations, through reflection about the differentiating criteria and the pedagogic focus and not least through a distanced irony. Here, an original and highly productive pedagogic concept is presented – one that will hopefully receive both broad reception and discussion even outside the borders of the German-speaking area. Paul Mecheril, Einführung in die Migrationspädagogik. Weinheim Basel 2004 (= Beltz Studium) ISBN 3-407-23352-4 |
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