One of the most common types of refugee programs in Germany has been the meet-up cafes. It’s an obvious way to improve refugee integration as it offers an opportunity for refugees and members of the community to come into contact with one another. You simply find a location big enough to host a group and invite locals and refugees alike. These spaces end up being a place for language practice, making new friends, and learning. Many cities and towns have started a weekly meet-up cafe but not all of them are still functioning. Today, you’ll hear about the Begegnungscafe in Babelsberg and of the experience of one volunteer, Katharine.
The Begegnungscafe was founded by members of the Evangelical Church in Potsdam Martina and Günter Kruse. It’s located in Babelsberg which is a section of the city of Potsdam located between the city center of Potsdam itself on the west and the border with Berlin on the east. And Begagnung translates to something like encounter or meeting.
Meetings are held every Sunday, and according to the Evangelical Churches website, around 100 people attend every week (of course before COVID-19 requirements). Though the event takes place in the church itself, people from any religious background are welcomed to join. As you’ll hear, Katharine, this week’s guest, isn’t a member of the church herself, and many of the refugees come from a different Christian Denomination or adhere to Islam.
Yet, as Katherine explains, this connection with religion may be one factor that has kept attendance at the Begegnungscafe so high for so long. Refugees with a faith background might feel more comfortable in a space dedicated to religion rather than a strictly secular one, she explains. But as you will hear in this week’s episodes, there are other factors that Katharine believes have led to the success of the program including convenient the meeting time, the extra programming put on by volunteers, and the strength of personal connections that have formed.
Listen to this weeks episode to not only learn about a meeting cafe like Begegnungscafe, but also to hear about the experience of being a volunteer with refugees in Germany. Katharine draws on a variety of experience working with refugees for the past few years in cities all around Germany.
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