Fostering Intercultural Dialogue among Migrant Youth in Kreuzberg
Keywords:
intercultural dialogue, migrant youth, cultural integration, Kreuzberg, social cohesion, identity negotiationcomes in resource-constrained urban settings.Abstract
This study examines the mechanisms and outcomes of fostering intercultural dialogue among migrant youth in Kreuzberg, a diverse neighborhood in Berlin, Germany. Through a qualitative approach involving participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 45 migrant youth aged 15-24, this research explores how structured dialogue programs facilitate cultural integration, identity negotiation, and social cohesion. The findings reveal that intercultural dialogue initiatives significantly enhance mutual understanding, reduce prejudice, and promote inclusive community building. Four key dimensions emerged: communication patterns and language barriers, identity formation and cultural negotiation, social integration mechanisms, and community engagement strategies. The study demonstrates that sustained intercultural dialogue programs create safe spaces for youth to navigate multiple cultural identities while building bridges across diverse communities. These findings contribute to understanding effective integration strategies in multicultural European contexts and offer practical implications for policymakers and community organizers working with migrant populations.
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