THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Social worker and migration expert Olayinka Adekunle has called on Africans living in Berlin to actively seek out and make use of the wide range of support services provided by public and private institutions across the city.
She made the appeal at an information and networking event on Social Participation and Community Networking organised by the German-African Initiative for Development and Integration (GAIDI) on 22 February. The event, held at CFT Berlin in the Moabit district, pursued two key objectives: to bring long-time residents together with newcomers in order to deepen networking, and to encourage dialogue on how established community members can better support newly arrived migrants as they settle into life in the German capital.
In addition to promoting networking, the meeting provided long-time residents with practical information and ideas on how to guide newcomers toward relevant institutions and assistance structures.
According to Adekunle, many newcomers underestimate the breadth of support systems available to them. “You will marvel at the array of institutions providing one form of help or another to migrants and refugees,” she said, urging members of the African community—both new arrivals and long-term residents—to make conscious efforts to identify these services and support others in accessing them.
Key Issues Discussed
In her keynote address, Adekunle highlighted several areas where newcomers often require guidance and support, including:
- Housing
- Employment and self-employment
- Career counselling
- Recognition of foreign qualifications
- Integration and language courses
She also underlined the important role of community organisations, particularly in:
- Sharing information about institutions and services available to migrants in Berlin
- Publicising events relevant to migrant communities
- Encouraging young people to take up leadership roles in community organisations to ensure continuity and stronger mobilisation of the younger generation
- Aligning expectations among partners and collaborators involved in integration projects
GAIDI: Building Community Through Dialogue
In his introductory remarks, Femi Awoniyi, Director of GAIDI, said the event was designed as a platform for exchange between long-time residents and newcomers, with the aim of strengthening solidarity and mutual support within the African community.
“Starting a new life in Germany can feel lonely and overwhelming,” Awoniyi said. “This community meet-up is designed to help newcomers connect with others, find support, and actively participate in community life in Berlin—while also encouraging long-time residents to share their experiences and guidance.”
The event was held within the framework of YANA Berlin, a support project for African asylum-seekers, refugees and other newly arrived migrants, implemented by GAIDI.
Awoniyi also praised African faith-based communities for the vital role they play in providing initial integration support, ranging from emotional assistance to practical guidance. He called on all stakeholders to work more closely together so that their collective efforts can be more effective.
“The needs of newcomers from Africa are enormous,” he said, stressing that much more still needs to be done to ensure they receive the support necessary to integrate successfully into German society.
Sola Jolaoso
