COMMUNICATION AND INTEGRATION
INTEGRATION POLICY AND ADVICE
In 2003, the canton of Schaffhausen’s cantonal government and Schaffhausen city council of Schaffhausen adopted guidelines for a coherent integration policy in the canton. The guidelines indicate how access to professional, social, cultural, linguistic and political life can be improved for the migrant population. The canton and the city of Schaffhausen are actively committed to strengthening integration and coexistence in the Schaffhausen region.
Integres is the specialist department for integration in the Schaffhausen region. Here, private individuals and also businesses, authorities and institutions receive advice when they have any concerns or questions relating to integration and migration.
INTEGRATION CRITERIA
The Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA) defines criteria for integration and is intended to promote integration of foreigners by avoiding obstacles to integration. At the same time it includes binding stipulations on the part of the foreign national to assume personal responsibility for integration. The principle applies that the more rights are given to people with foreign nationality, the better integration should be. This means that language skills, in particular, are closely linked to residency status. The FNIA contains the following integration criteria:
- Acquisition of language skills
- Observance of public safety and order
- Respect for the federal constitution and its values
- Participation in the economic life or obtaining education.
If the criteria for integration are not met, the residence permit may not be extended or may be revoked. A permanent residence permit can also be revoked or downgraded to a residence permit. Permission for family members to be admitted may also be refused or citizenship applications rejected.
GERMAN AS A COMMON LANGUAGE
Switzerland is a multilingual country. Communication that functions well is key to integration. Communication means understanding and being understood. A common language forms the basis for this. German is spoken in the canton of Schaffhausen. Our official language is High German. In everyday life, we use often the Swiss German dialect. Understanding and speaking German is a prerequisite for being able to communicate in everyday life and in the professional world. The common language forms an important basis for living together.
LEARNING GERMAN
There are numerous German courses in the Schaffhausen region.
The range of courses on offer is broad; in addition to the usual German courses there are also courses offering childcare, for mothers with children, for young people and for young adults, with integrated education prospects, or even offers for children and other groups. Integres will advise you on selection of the suitable course.
PROOF OF LANGUAGE SKILLS AND LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES
In Switzerland appropriate language skills are linked to acquisition of the different residence permits. The language skills required for education and training or professional roles may also be defined. These skills must be proved by means of a language certificate. Integres’ website has an information sheet about this.
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
A joint discussion is the decisive requirement for good collaboration. Intercultural interpreting goes far beyond a literal translation. It makes it possible to communicate about values and one’s own view of a situation, despite different backgrounds and cultures. The confidence acquired in this way broadens the scope of all involved for action and makes it possible to develop joint solutions. The Derman specialist department places and accompanies interpreting, telephone interpreting, assistance and translation services and follows up the assignments in a professional manner.
The specialist department is contactable by telephone during office hours from Monday to Friday or can be contacted by e-mail and the website contact form. Outside these times, the Asylorganisation Zürich (aoz) telephone interpreting service can provide professional interpreters in more than 50 languages within just a few minutes, round the clock, 365 days per year.
INFORMATION MAKES COMMUNICATION EASIER
You can find a great deal of information about the canton of Schaffhausen on the Internet or in the media. In particular, the local newspapers provide information about life in the region. You will also find advertisements for jobs and accommodation in them, along with information about events and useful addresses. You will also find information on the most important events in the region on the canton of Schaffhausen’s and the municipalities’ websites.