The Vulnerability of Young Refugees Living in Reception Centres in Luxembourg: An Overview of Conditions and Experiences across Subjective Temporal Imaginaries

in Social Sciences (2023), 12(02),

Vulnerability has become a key concept in discourses and policies on international protection and reception of refugees. In this context, the notion has been described as a tool to provide special ... [more ▼]

Vulnerability has become a key concept in discourses and policies on international protection and reception of refugees. In this context, the notion has been described as a tool to provide special provisions to groups at higher risk or one to perpetuate political agendas within increasingly hostile reception systems. However, vulnerability as an analytical concept has received less attention, with both policymakers and scholars often employing different conceptualisations of vulnerability or treating it as a self-explanatory condition. Building on a previous conceptual elaboration, this paper sets out to apply an understanding of vulnerability as multi-layered, dynamic and embedded in a study of the lived experiences of a group of potentially ‘vulnerable’ migrants, based on ‘fixed’ contextual criteria. Drawing from in-depth interviews with young adults who obtained refugee status in Luxembourg but still live in ‘temporary’ reception centres, this paper provides a wide analytical overview of the conditions of vulnerability encountered by this specific group of migrants, in the process of building their lives in a new country. Following the participants’ subjective temporal imaginaries of past, present and future, the analysis highlights and problematises conditions of structural, situational and experiential vulnerability emerging from their accounts and experiences, and discusses their possible implications. [less ▲]

When the “vulnerable” talk back: subjective responses and individual experiences of young refugees

Scientific Conference (2022, June 30)

In the context of international protection and reception, an increasing amount of interest has been given to the assessment of vulnerability among forced migrants in order to provide special provisions ... [more ▼]

In the context of international protection and reception, an increasing amount of interest has been given to the assessment of vulnerability among forced migrants in order to provide special provisions and guarantees to ‘vulnerable refugees’. However, a common definition of vulnerability does not exist. The systematisation of individuals’ experiences in pre-defined bureaucratic categories risks ignoring the contextual and contingent nature of migrants’ vulnerability, the subjective and biographical differences among those considered vulnerable and the agency of each individual facing conditions of vulnerability. Thus, in the context of the H2020 project MIMY, this paper proposes to explore the experiences and feelings of the people living in an apparent condition of vulnerability. Based on in-depth interviews with young adults who obtained refugee status in Luxembourg but still live in ‘temporary’ reception centres, the current study wants to move beyond the bureaucratic vulnerability label, questioning the relationship between structural, contingent and material conditions of vulnerability and the subjective experiences and responses of the active agents who occupy them. Additionally, bringing the stories and perspectives of young refugees living in Luxembourg to the forefront, the study points to the variability of vulnerability at the individual level in the context of integration. We propose to analyse such plurality of stories through the lens of agency and temporality, as the unique product of past personal experiences, current situations of difficulty and conditions of(in)security (based on the interrelationship between obstacles and resources) and individual future perspectives and feelings of self-efficacy. [less ▲]

Aktives Altern im Kontext kultureller Vielfalt in Luxemburg

Report (2021)

Ausgangspunkt des PAN-VAL Projekts „Aktives Altern in Luxemburg“, das in enger Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Universität Luxemburg und GERO durchgeführt wurde, war die Frage, inwieweit soziale Aktivitäten ... [more ▼]

Ausgangspunkt des PAN-VAL Projekts „Aktives Altern in Luxemburg“, das in enger Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Universität Luxemburg und GERO durchgeführt wurde, war die Frage, inwieweit soziale Aktivitäten und Angebote von einer diversen Population genutzt werden. In der Studie wurden die Bedürfnisse und Erwartungen von Menschen über 50 (Luxemburger*innen und Nicht-Luxemburger*innen) in Bezug auf ihre sozialen Netzwerke, ihr soziales Eingebundensein, ihre Freizeitaktivitäten innerhalb ihrer Gemeinde und ihr Zugehörigkeitsgefühl sowie ihre Zufriedenheit mit verschiedenen Lebensbereichen untersucht. Gleichzeitig zielte die Studie darauf ab, zu ermitteln, welche Faktoren eine Teilnahme begünstigen und was Menschen daran hindert, an öffentlichen Freizeitangeboten teilzunehmen. In der vorliegenden Broschüre werden die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der quantitativen und der qualitativen Teilstudien zusammengeführt sowie im Anschluss daran Hinweise für die Gestaltung von Angeboten gegeben. Hierbei werden Module präsentiert, um ältere Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund besser einzubeziehen und Dienstleistungen für ein aktives Altern einer immer diverseren Zielgruppe zu entwickeln. Die Broschüre richtet sich damit an alle, die sich mit der Gestaltung von Angeboten für soziale Aktivitäten – für Ältere, aber nicht nur – im Kontext kultureller Diversität befassen. [less ▲]

National and transnational family and friendship networks and their role for subjective well-being of older migrants compared to non-migrants in Luxembourg

Scientific Conference (2021, August 18)

Creating new bonds in the receiving country constitutes an important developmental task for migrants. Nonetheless, migrants often have smaller social networks in the receiving countries compared to non ... [more ▼]

Creating new bonds in the receiving country constitutes an important developmental task for migrants. Nonetheless, migrants often have smaller social networks in the receiving countries compared to non-migrants, while they stay connected with left behind family members in their countries of origin. The role of transnational ties can thereby be twofold – on the one hand, transnational relations might provide support for migrants from a distance, on the other hand feelings of loneliness might arise when network partners are living far away. The present study is part of the project PAN-VAL on active ageing in Luxembourg, financed by the Ministry of Family and Integration, which focusses on social embeddedness vs. social isolation of migrants and non-migrants living in the multicultural context of Luxembourg. A national sample of N=1000 migrants and non-migrants 50+ living in Luxembourg were asked about their family and friendship networks, their satisfaction with family, friends and life as a whole as well as their feelings of loneliness. Further, N = 20 qualitative interviews with older migrants and non-migrants in four selected municipalities were carried out to explore social networks in more depth. First analyses revealed smaller national family and friendship networks of migrants compared to non-migrants and people with double nationality, whereas migrants reported more transnational bonds. Migrants also reported a lower satisfaction with family and friendship networks compared to non-migrants and people with double nationality, whereas no differences were found between migrants and non-migrants with regard to feelings of loneliness. However, people with double nationality felt less lonely compared to both other groups. Results will be discussed in a life-span perspective, considering the role of national family and friendship networks to create a sense belonging as a fundamental need of human beings. [less ▲]

Sense of belonging, social embeddedness and perceived loneliness of older Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourgers in pandemic times

Scientific Conference (2021, July)

Luxembourg has witnessed a sharp increase in cultural diversity due to high levels of immigration in the past years, and the question of how inhabitants from different cultural origin establish a sense of ... [more ▼]

Luxembourg has witnessed a sharp increase in cultural diversity due to high levels of immigration in the past years, and the question of how inhabitants from different cultural origin establish a sense of belonging to their country of residence has become essential for social cohesion and inclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, shaken patterns of belonging dramatically. The place of residence has gained new meaning due to confinement measures, closed borders and local contact restrictions. Physical distancing could have particularly adverse effects on older migrants with smaller social networks in the receiving country, increasing the risk for loneliness and social isolation. The present study is part of the PAN-VAL project on active ageing funded by the Luxembourgish Family Ministry. We aim to analyze the impact of sense of belonging and social embeddedness on perceived loneliness before and since the COVID-19 crisis of older Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourgers living in the Grand-Duchy. A representative sample of N=1000 residents 50+ participated in a survey via telephone and online in December 2020. The standardized questionnaire included questions regarding national and transnational family and friendship networks, contact frequencies, sense of belonging to place and country of residence and of origin as well as perceived loneliness before and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary findings indicate that sense of belonging predicted loneliness before and since the corona crisis, whereas a larger social network in Luxembourg was protective against loneliness only before but not since the crisis. Interestingly, a higher contact frequency with friends in Luxembourg reduced loneliness before the crisis, whereas higher contact frequency with friends abroad reduced loneliness since crisis. Results will be discussed considering resources as well as risk factors for loneliness in the context of migration and ageing in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. [less ▲]