What is integration and how do we create welcoming communities?

Integration is not about a person or a group of people becoming like another person or another group of people. It’s about people accepting one another and making each other and their communities better by learning from and accepting each other's differences. 

Inclusion is appreciating human differences by creating a space that promotes a sense of belonging where everyone feels respected and valued for their differences. In an inclusive environment people are valued because of their differences and they can fully participate and thrive. Communities that are welcoming and inclusive create a sense of home and belonging for all people regardless of where they come from, the color of their skin, or any of the other characteristics that make them who they are. 

Integration is focused on facilitating the process newcomers, such as refugees to Malaysia, experience beyond simply existing in a place to having a sense of belonging. It includes allowing themselves and being seen as contributors and feeling welcome to be themselves in many contexts. When someone can be themselves, they can be creative, solve problems and grow into their full potential. At PSU we work with young people to help them develop the skills they can use to grow into their full potential so they can help to make their communities better places.

Elements of an inclusive community

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow, 1943) is a framework we can use to look at the characteristics of needs for communities to be inclusive and welcoming for refugees. This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs. Maslsow believed that people have a desire to be self-actualized, that is, to be all they can be. In order to achieve this ultimate goal, however, a number of more basic needs must be met such as food, safety, love, and self-esteem. See below.

Welcoming America, in ‘Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Toolkit’ developed a Framework of characteristics of welcoming communities based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. The framework is shared below in Image C. Using this framework as a starting point, we can see there are many things needed within communities that host or receive refugees in order to be welcoming and inclusive of refugees. In the context of Malaysia, where refugees are not legally recognized, is it possible to build inclusive and welcoming communities? Can refugees gain a sense of belonging or self-actualization?

Because refugees are not recognized by the government in Malaysia, there are some characteristics for creating inclusive and welcoming communities that are not possible. But, despite the legal challenges there are many which could be possible or we have seen made possible. We’ve circled characteristics that could be or already are possible because of efforts driven by civil society in the country. We’ve marked an ‘X’ on the ones we don’t think are possible given the legal context and a ‘check mark’ for ones that do exist. We’ve left the final box, ‘a sense of home and belonging’ blank - can this be achieved with some characteristics of the framework not possible?

Key

Circle: Possible

X mark: not possible for legal reasons

Check mark: exists in some form already

PSU and building inclusive communities 

Where does this leave us? As PSU we are interested in focusing on developing some of the characteristics  that create welcoming communities that can be done through the nonprofits and NGOs, including refugee-led community based organizations. 

For example, there are many nonprofits which focus on improving and providing educational opportunities for refugees in Malaysia. Yet, there is less attention paid to the networks available to the refugee community.  Youth especially need to have networks to communicate with their peers. Such networks will help them have a creative environment to do the things they are passionate about. This is what PSU provides for the youth in our community through various programs.

Imagine if refugee youth created solutions for problems  not only in their communities, but also for the host community.  To add on that, imagine if both Malaysian and refugee youth worked together towards achieving a common goal, and the  benefits that would bring to the communities! One benefit would  be that it will help eliminate the negative stereotypes about refugees in local communities in the country. Examples of some stereotypes are, refugees taking over jobs of the local people, refugees being dangerous and bringing harm to the community, and more. Another might be that it will support the refugee community to integrate and learn more about the Malaysian culture and language. We wish to see more efforts in bringing the youth together build solidarity amongst the local and refugee communities.