Association of migrant organizations founded in Saxony

A new state association has been founded following the insolvency of the umbrella association of Saxon migrant organizations (DSM) this spring. With a strong voice, migrant concerns and perspectives are to be communicated and expertise and practical experience from migration and integration work are to be brought into the discourse, according to the statement. The aim is to support the common good, work towards democracy and create a society in which diversity, cohesion and integration are at the forefront.

The work of the association has too often been perceived as one-dimensional, said Kanwal Sethi, former co-chair of the DSM. "The work is not only about refugees, but also about the many business people, artists, students and scientists with a migration background who have been living and working in Saxony for years". Life has become much more difficult for these people in recent years, explained Natalie Adakh from the Afghanistan Forum in Germany. "The limit of what can be said has shifted to the right. The small associations in particular are feeling the effects of this."

The DSM, in which more than 60 initiatives were organized, ran into financial difficulties after the Saxon State Court of Auditors criticized the allocation of funding. As a result, funding that had already been approved was canceled and money was reclaimed. The association therefore filed for insolvency due to the threat of insolvency. The state parliament even set up a committee of inquiry into the funding practices of the Ministry of Social Affairs.