Michael Stenger
Ashoka Fellow since 2009   |   Germany

Michael Stenger

SchlaU-Schule
Recognizing the systematic discrimination that underage asylum seekers experience Michael is providing young refugees a chance for education and integration into German society while also changing…
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This description of Michael Stenger's work was prepared when Michael Stenger was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2009.

Introduction

Recognizing the systematic discrimination that underage asylum seekers experience Michael is providing young refugees a chance for education and integration into German society while also changing negative public perceptions towards this group. By establishing and spreading a cost efficient andRead more

The New Idea

The right to asylum is a humanitarian cornerstone in Germany. Its implementation, however, reflects the way policymakers actually perceive asylum seekers and refugees: as costly threats to society. As a result, these individuals are often far removed from mainstream society. In fact, under currentRead more

The Problem

Young refugees face systematic discrimination on a personal, political and societal level in Germany. Most youth flee from their home countries under chaotic, life threatening and traumatizing circumstances, and upon arriving to Germany, they face degrading circumstances and struggle withRead more

The Strategy

SchlaU-school offers a comprehensive approach for underage refugees in Germany by addressing their most urgent needs, including special language training, teaching of regular school curricula, legal assistance and social pedagogic and psychological support. Michael has accomplished this byRead more

The Person

A pacifist, Michael was one of the first Germans to choose alternative social service in place of compulsory military service. During his studies teaching German as a foreign language, he founded GESUS e.V. (“Association for language and languages”) training fellow students to support Munich’sRead more

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