Recognizing Polarities in Immigration Issues

• In Event: Polarity Thinking: An Essential Leadership Capability in a Rapid, Uncertain, Paradoxical, and Turbulent World

Short Description

One-sided views and policies haven’t solved much. This presentation will work with a polarity concerning immigration: Maintaining national cultural identity and fostering multicultural openness. The use of a polarity map to describe both side’s values and fears, early warnings, and suggested actions will be assessed as a tool to open minds and find new balance, security, and peace.

Detailed Abstract

The German Greens as well as the Left Party have for many years propagated a “Multikulti” society. Thousands of German citizens welcomed new train loads of immigrants flooding in German cities day after day, mostly unregistered and uncontrolled. Volunteers provided them with food, drinks and clothes and toys for the children. Chancellor Merkel claimed her “Welcome Immigrants” policy to be “alternativlos”, meaning without any alternative. The costs for German social systems amount to 2 billion Euro and continue to increase significantly. Thousands of cases of multiple welfare fraud by immigrants are slowly being detected and yet hardly corrected. Across the Channel, British citizens rationalized their votes for Brexit with “Merkel”. German citizens increasingly experience and fear multiple sexual assaults and other criminal acts by immigrants from certain countries, and protest that reports on these crimes are tabooed. Other Germans fear that racism will again evolve into a stronger political force. Formerly tolerant Scandinavia countries and open-minded USA have sealed their countries off from welcoming new refugees and immigrants. “Identity Movements” have sprung up in France, Hungary, Poland and other countries. Acts of physical aggression increase on either side. What is going on?

Apparently, one-sided views and policies haven’t solved the problems. Just the opposite! Turbulence around immigration has increased in several countries. We observe growing tensions and pro-migration versus anti-migration swings from one side to the other that increase in height and tempo in the political and social spheres. The stronger the claims of having the “one truth” and the “one solution” the more ratcheted up the emotions! It’s time we realize this on either side.

In this session we will make apparent the strengths of Polarity Thinking, first as a great ‘eye and mind opener’. Concerned people and stakeholders from either side are to be respected, included and listened to. The Polarity Approach helps to mutually recognize and seriously consider their values and desires, concerns and facts. It may not be easy but can be done to carefully and fairly to differentiate and balance opposite perceptions and actions. When mapping a polarity, we take up and discuss the various suggestions for improved policies, and together develop and balance actions. A polarity map cares for the concerns of either party and forms the basis for leveraging the core values they hold.

The session will introduce and work with a conflicted polarity regarding Maintaining National Culture Identity AND Multicultural Openness. On the one hand, people have a longing for belonging and a desire for group identity. Most abhor “whateverism”. On the other hand, societies and economies benefit from and welcome an open exchange and flow of people, fresh ideas and new approaches. But they do not want to become a minority in their own county, losing control over their way of life, or having their openness being misused by freeloaders or criminals.

This polarity – or any similar one - has become most critical for societies today. We will explore and assess the use of a Polarity Map to describe both side’s values and fears, early warnings (partly strong and emotional) and suggested actions (questionable or useful ones). The polarity Maintaining National Culture Identity AND Multicultural Openness can open minds and help to find new balance, security and peace. Through this presentation the attendees can experience the value of mapping polarities and their contribution to the development of communities and countries experiencing this issue.

Participant

• Michael A. Buchmann, Executive Synergy