Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Fear of the 'Other'








15 February 2017

Fear of 'Otherness' in Europe

By: Karsten Riise

The fear of "otherness" is rising in Europe, and popular perceptions are wildly distorted.


Some very interesting data have been published from the February 2017 Security Conference in Munich. Many people in Europe have a totally distorted perception of how many Muslims they believe live in their country:

France believes that 35% Muslims live in the country - absurdly wrong, the correct figure is only 7.5%.

Italy believes it has 20% Muslims - the correct figure is only 3.7%

Germany believes 21% Muslims - correct figure 5.0%

Sweden believes it has 17% Muslims - the correct figure is 4.6%

The Netherlands believe 19% Muslims - correct figure 6.0%

Great Britain believes 15% Muslims - correct figure 4.8%

Denmark believes 15% Muslimer - correct figure 4.1%

Hungary and Poland believe they have 6%-7% Muslimer - but in reality they have close to zero percent.

There is a need for a dialogue with those who fear these (often absurd) figures. That will be dialogue exactly with some of those, which many in the political establishments in Europe may want to keep out, and not like to talk with.

Muslim enrichment is a chance. We need a new kind of togetherness in this area. That can open up developments, to good things.

If, however, a stream of refugees becomes too overwhelming at some points in time and space, it can become dangerously disruptive, even destabilising. What we see today are in comparison still relatively small indications of far more consequential events which happen over the next years and decade, if no very, very, good and big ideas are put into action soon.

If the burden of refugees is (like today) merely shifted to just outside the official "perimeter" of Europe (neighboring countries), the problem will not be solved, it will grow. It will just be temporarily moved out of sight, with the danger that it will be forgotten (by Europeans) for too long.

Everybody talks about Russia in European security. I believe Russia can and must become a partner.

A totally new kind of foreign policy - including military, but a more integrated approach, and with military just as a component - is the only real solution for Europe to avoid future destabilisation from refugee calamities. And Africa (1 billion people) together with a wide region stretching eastwards of Europe, should be put on top of a constructive cooperation. This will cost money & effort - lots of it.

It must be a new project for cooperation between Europe and with all of its neighbors.

The need for cooperative action on a whole new level can become a mutual chance.


Karsten Riise
Partner & Editor


CHANGE NEWS
CHANGE MANAGEMENT