Technology as a Source of Power: Exploring How ICT Use Contributes to the Social Inclusion of Refugees in Germany

Abstract

Since the beginning of the recent global refugee crisis, researchers have been tackling many of its associated aspects, investigating how we can help to alleviate this crisis, in particular, using ICTs capabilities. In our research, we investigated the use of ICT solutions by refugees to foster the social inclusion process in the host community. To tackle this topic, we conducted thirteen interviews with Syrian refugees in Germany. Our findings reveal different ICT usages by refugees and how these contribute to feeling empowered. Moreover, we show the sources of empowerment for refugees that are gained by ICT use. Finally, we identified the two types of social inclusion benefits that were derived from empowerment sources. Our results provide practical implications to different stakeholders and decision-makers on how ICT usage can empower refugees, which can foster the social inclusion of refugees, and what should be considered to support them in their integration effort.

Mobile phone use for social inclusion: the case of internally displaced people in Nigeria

“…This research responds to calls for further studies into the use of mobile phones by IDP to improve their social inclusion (Abujarour et al, 2021;Mancini et al, 2019). The study makes a contribution by moving away from the dominant focus on refugees and migrants living in the global north to focus on internally displaced persons in SSA (Sabie et al, 2019).…”

“…Within the ICT4D literature, there is a gap in which displaced people use ICT and how these ICT impacts on their social inclusion within the wider society (Abujarour et al, 2021;Mancini et al, 2019). The few existing literature have been specifically focused on refugees and migrants and are yet to expand their focus on people that are internally displaced within their own countries (Sabie et al, 2019).…”

“…Majority of these studies have focused on the use of mobile phones by refugees and migrants in the global north (Bock et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2019). These studies have shown that mobile phone penetration and use among refugees is growing and can be seen to facilitate the social integration of refugees (Abujarour et al, 2021;Casswell, 2019).…”

“…Access to the internet using mobile phones have provided refugees with the means to access general information about issues relating to settlement, such as support services, rights, settlement, citizenships, employment, community facilities housing and language learning programmes (AbuJarour & Krasnova, 2017;. Refugees use text messages and translation applications to overcome language barriers when accessing services relating to healthcare, housing and employment (Abujarour et al, 2021;Danielson, 2013). Besides helping refugees access information, Veronis et al (2018) noted that mobile phones provide a virtual space where refugees develop transcultural connections, that is, negotiating and bridging the cultural gap between refugees and the local culture.…”

Being (co-)present: Reflecting the personal and public spheres of asylum seeking in relation to connectivity

“…As different scholars (Latonero and Kift, 2018: 3) have outlined, network technologies such as mobile devices, software applications, social media, and social network services as part of a new ‘digital infrastructure’ are fundamental tools for today’s refugees and asylum seekers to cope with everyday challenges. Different authors (Leurs and Smets, 2018; Sánchez Querubín and Rogers, 2018) have provided evidence which underscores the crucial role of information and communications technology (ICT) for refugees, not only as a guiding channel during their flight, but also upon their arrival in the host country and during the emplacement processes when seeking asylum (AbuJarour and Krasnova, 2017; Charmarkeh, 2013; Leung, 2011; Levy, 2013; Twigt, 2018; Witteborn, 2015).…”