German Social Sustainability — 2015 to Present

In 2015, when the refugee crisis hit Germany, the country rallied around the idea of becoming a world leader in social sustainability. Initially, efforts were made to create national unity around the idea of welcoming refugees with open arms. Although this effort made considerable strides towards the integration of refugees initially, it fell short towards its original idea of social sustainability. With an issue such as social sustainability, there will always be room for improvement. In this, we focus on Fairness of Opportunity and the distribution of Social Services.

Fairness of Opportunity: The best way to integrate refugees into German society has been a longstanding debate. Recently, this debate has been reignited along party lines. Some policies explored, particularly by parties on the left side of the political spectrum, have included expanding access to a variety of programs and opportunities. This includes education and training, which can help equip people with the necessary skills for meaningful employment.

Equal Distribution of Social Services: Access to social services such as healthcare, housing and childcare is extremely important. For refugees, who may not be familiar with the local language or law, this can be extremely difficult. To ensure a more equitable society, Germany can help refugees navigate and access these programs. Ensuring access for all may ease the burden on local communities and uplift German society as a whole.