The Impact of Syrian Refugee Arrivals on Local Systems of Support in Canada

Rich Janzen (), Kyla English Leis and Joanna Ochocka
Additional contact information
Rich Janzen: Renison University College at the University of Waterloo
Kyla English Leis: Renison University College at the University of Waterloo
Joanna Ochocka: Renison University College at the University of Waterloo

Journal of International Migration and Integration, 2021, vol. 22, issue 4, No 2, 1242 pages

Abstract: Abstract This article reports on the findings of a 10-month study designed to collaboratively explore the impact of the arrival of Syrian refugee newcomers in 2015–2016 on the way local communities support newcomers. Waterloo Region, a mid-size urban centre in Ontario, Canada, was the focus of study. The study used a mixed-method design involving four methods (document review, key informant interviews, organisational survey focus groups). Findings are presented following a systems change analytical framework that included (1) an emerging vision for local refugee support in the Waterloo Region, (2) the adaptation of local structures, (3) the emergence of collaborative processes and (4) an overall assessment of impact. Three main lessons are discussed. The first lesson demonstrates how local systems change is negotiated within a broader migration landscape (contextualizing local systems change). The second lesson acknowledges that a community’s historical migration response can be a springboard for local change (initiating local systems change). The third lesson suggests that expanding and coordinating community engagement in the refugee support system is integral for lasting change (sustaining local systems change). Combined, these lessons provide a comprehensive analysis into how local communities can be adaptive in supporting refugee newcomers.

Keywords: Syrian refugees; Refugee resettlement; Systems change; Community-based research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12134-020-00792-z Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:joimai:v:22:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s12134-020-00792-z

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.springer ... tudies/journal/12134

DOI: 10.1007/s12134-020-00792-z

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of International Migration and Integration is currently edited by Lori Wilkinson

More articles in Journal of International Migration and Integration from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().