peerthink.eu - Good practice project Austria

M.IK.E – Migration.Interculture.Empowerment is an Austrian project, developed by people with migrant background. The project focuses empowerment as a main approach in the field of work with young migrant people, who need support in shaping their future perspectives.

Peers at risk to act violently as well as to become a target of violation are identified in unprotected teenagers and/or asylum seekers with uncertain legal status, low or no Education and no job. As the conceptualisation of Violence is embedded into societal structures and inequalities in society, the work on violence and Violence prevention follows a broad approach that concentrates on different societal systems (e.g. school, family, Youth centre). According to the stage in which violence is addressed, M.IK.E fully intervenes in situations of probable violence occurrence as well as after violence occurred. Primary prevention is addressed in a broad sense.

The main focus of M.IK.E is on “migration from one culture into another”. Concerning in-group and out-group relations, the non-migrant population in Austria is seen as in-group. Migrants from non-European countries are seen as out-group (with a special focus on second and third generation!). The relation between these groups is of special importance. The projects content refers very much to the societal and structural background of the intersectional categories “culture”, “generation”, “social position/marginalization”. Migration and declassment/ marginalisation are connected.
Changes of Gender roles between cultures are seen as important challenges within the process of migration, especially with an impact on violence occurrence.

In order to provide a role model for masculinity, M.IK.E addresses different expectations on hegemonic masculinity according to different cultures. Working with boys in this context means pointing to the recognition of conventions and traditions in patriarchal cultures in a critical way. Strong breadwinner models and the expectation of obedience from women and children are critically reflected. Different masculinities are addressed in a broad spectrum. Project members pay special attention on topics like repression of women in patriarchal power relations as well as gender roles in relationships, on the labour market and in families.

< Prev		Next >

Glossary