Use-Values for Inclusion: Mobilizing Resources in Popular Education for Newly Arrived Refugees in Sweden

Nedžad Mešić, Magnus Dahlstedt, Andreas Fejes and Sofia Nyström
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Nedžad Mešić: Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linköping University, Sweden
Magnus Dahlstedt: Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linköping University, Sweden
Andreas Fejes: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden
Sofia Nyström: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden

Social Inclusion, 2019, vol. 7, issue 2, 85-95

Abstract: In times of market reforms and international migration, the Swedish welfare model has been seriously challenged. In the context of the arrival of refugees in 2015–2017, the state turned to civil society in facing up to the challenges. In this article, we direct our attention to the Workers’ Educational Association’s (ABF) state-funded work with refugees, with a specific focus on the activities conducted, the resources making them possible and the use-value of the resources mobilised. The article is based on observations and interviews with study circle leaders, managers and asylum seekers. The analysis illustrates that ABF, in line with its historical legacy, the broader workers’ movement, the strong notion of popular education as ‘free and voluntary’, has, with its well-established connections throughout the country, not solely taken on the task defined by the state. In solidarity, ABF has also responded to the needs of the refugees. As highlighted in the analysis, ABF has mobilized a wide range of resources, not least providing refugees with social networks and help in contacting the authorities. With such mobilization, opportunities were provided for the inclusion of refugees in Sweden.

Keywords: asylum seeker; civil society; inclusion; migrants; popular education; refugee; Sweden model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:socinc:v7:y:2019:i:2:p:85-95

DOI: 10.17645/si.v7i2.1971

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