Forced Migrants in Kaliningrad*
Stabilizing and Improving Interethnic Relations in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russian Federation
Aims
The project aims to contribute to the development of civil society in Kaliningrad region by enhancing the understanding of issues surrounding migrants and national minorities and their integration into society and participation in public life. To this end, the project pursues four distinct avenues: first, to explore the needs of various migrant and minority groups and to facilitate their dialogue with international, federal and regional bodies on these issues; second, to encourage the authorities on various levels to engage constructively with migrant and minority communities; third, to enable civil society organizations representing these communities to voice their views and interests effectively in relation to the government; and fourth, to enhance the support available from international institutions to this process.
Relevance
During the 1990s, approximately 100 thousand migrants from other regions of Russia and from CIS countries significantly added to the population of Kaliningrad region bringing it to 950 thousand. The volume of migration to Kaliningrad region in recent years has been much higher than Russia's average. Many migrants have come from regions of ethnopolitical tension (hence, the term 'forced migrants' is often used) with negative personal experiences in interethnic relations. At the same time, information on the newcomers' integration into Kaliningrad's society remains patchy. Some observers note that newcomers looking for a permanent residence in the Oblast face political and social marginalization.
There are more than 90 minority organizations in Kaliningrad region where more than 100 different ethnic groups are represented, the largest groups being the Russians (78% of the population), Belorussians (7.7%), Ukrainians (7.4%), and Lithuanians (1.9%), followed by Armenians, Germans, Poles, Tatars, Azeris, Jews and others. The potential of these organizations to foster the cultural identity of their respective groups and promote stabile interethnic relations is currently not fully utilized.
The relevance of this project lies in three principal areas. First, it undertakes a thorough analysis of pressing issues that so far have not been analyzed in detail either by scholars or politicians. Second, as a result of meetings involving international experts, the project will identify potential practical solutions to migrant and minority-related problems, such as the integration of migrants in society and civil participation of minorities. The project will produce concrete recommendations which minority and migrant organizations can discuss with authorities and apply in practice. Third, with this project ECMI aims to maintain a series of meetings on migrant and minority-related questions in Kaliningrad to follow up on the initial recommendations.
Project Activities
The first exploratory roundtable was held in Flensburg in June 2001, attended by senior representatives from the Federal authorities, the Vice-Governor, political parties, NGOs and migrant organizations. It generated an agreed text on future action (see ECMI Report # 11). In 2002, three project events were organized in Kaliningrad by ECMI (see ECMI Report # 30). In 2003, several expert meetings and a project conference will be organized in the region.
Links with other Institutions
ECMI has been able to draw upon the friendly assistance and cooperation of the Council of Europe, the Schleswig-Holstein Institute for Peace Research at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel (SCHIFF) in relation to this project. In Kaliningrad, ECMI is closely collaborating with the Kaliningrad Regional Duma, Kaliningrad Administration, Kaliningrad foundation "Regional Strategy", Kaliningrad Analytical Centre RIAC and with several non-governmental organizations established to protect migrants' and minorities' interests.
Project Personnel
The project was headed by Dr Priit Järve, ECMI Senior Research Associate.
ECMI Report #11
ECMI Report #30
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