A Refugee Integration Program and Policy Comparative Analysis of Two Locations: Houson, Texas (U.S.) and Oslo Norway, and Literature Review With a Focus on User-Involvement.

Abstract

I am interested in refugee integration policy differences between countries. The Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden and Norway) take a collectively different approach than European countries and the U.S.. I am specifically interested in the policy differences between Norway and the U.S. and will take an even more indepth view by comparing Oslo, Norway and Houston, Texas (U.S.). I will compare the two countries at the federal (and state in Texas’ case) level and then do a comparison at the municipal level. More specifically, my research question is: What are the differences within refugee integration policy and programs between Oslo, Norway and Houston, Texas (U.S.) including: Integration strength and weaknesses and degree of user-involvement in programs? How are they similar? The vastly different cultural realities of the two locations allow for a maximum difference design. I can then bring the two locations together to compare and contrast refugee integration policy. This can highlight the ways a location’s culture, history, demographics and geographics can impact policy making and find relationships despite the wide variations in locations and policy. Refugee policy is usually made and implemented by individual countries but it is an international crisis. Voters and policy makers must learn about other countries’ policies to create better policy for their respective countries. Reading policy anlysis and literature reviews can help fill the gap in knowledge for these people. Through writing my thesis I am going to do a comparative policy and program analysis between two countries I perceive to be very different in terms of refugee integration policy and programs. I also plan to compare the aims and goals of the policies and programs and even more specifically whether they differ in integration outcomes. The goal of this analysis and review is to learn the most about refugee integration policy using a wide variation and to have a structured policy and program guide to create conversation about refugee integration policy and programs. Perhaps even purpose even better refugee policies and programs. Through a literature review I will be able to reinforce the importance of user-involvement in general and especially in refugee integration policy and programs.