Enno Aufderheide, Secretary General of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, explained the event's primary focus as follows:
“How to move from a temporary support programme connected to forced migration into a regular job market – this is the single most important issue”.
Prefacing this, Aufderheide stressed that freedom of academic pursuit is the fundamental prerequisite for truly excellent research. The conference brought together many of the scholars and scientists who are at risk or persecuted in their home countries and are spending two years conducting research at a German institution as fellows of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative.
The Philipp Schwartz Forum revolved around sharing views and information regarding topical questions, such as: What do researchers at risk who had to leave their countries experience at their new location? What challenges and opportunities arise for them during and after their sponsorship through the Philipp Schwartz Initiative? The researchers stressed that greater attention must be given to the transition from a fellowship to the German labour market. In addition, they commented, it is nearly impossible to find a job − be it in an academic setting or in the general labour market − without a very good command of the German language. For this reason, they noted, it would be sensible to additionally focus on learning German.
Further Reading
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (10.03.20): Conference: Philipp Schwartz Forum 2020 – “What’s next?”
