Between labour shortages and right-wing populism: Experiences of international students in Thuringia

Describtion

As the latest election results have clearly shown, right-wing populist positions are gaining increasing support in Germany. At the local level, the number of Thuringians who believe that Germany is “overrun by foreigners” is rising (KomRex 2024, based on the Thuringian Monitor 2023). This worrying right-wing populist development poses critical challenges for regional actors such as universities and businesses. Among other things, it could exacerbate the much-discussed problem of a shortage of highly qualified workers in Thuringia. The training of international students is often seen as one of the solutions to the labor shortage. However, the rise of right-wing populism could discourage international students from staying in Thuringia and affect the attractiveness of local universities and businesses. As part of the ARAPiS project (Analysis of the Role and Labor Market Potential of International Students at the University of Jena), we therefore investigated the experiences of international students in Jena and on the local labor market. To this end, 37 interviews were conducted to identify individual and structural problems and resources that influence international students' desire to stay. In this event, we would like to discuss the results of the project and the measures derived from it with relevant local actors and civil society organizations. How can international students be better supported during and after their studies in the city of Jena and on the Thuringian labor market? What opportunities can migrant organizations and actors working to combat discrimination offer to strengthen the social and economic inclusion of international students at the local level? What cooperation is needed to make Thuringia more inclusive—especially in times of right-wing populism? To address these highly relevant challenges and promote the social values of democratic culture, the KomRex Center at the University of Jena invites you to an event that brings together perspectives from research and civil society.