The conference focused on the language acquisition of refugees. The city of Salzgitter presented what a coordinated chain of support can look like at municipal level at the associated "Market of Opportunities" trade fair.

As one of more than 40 exhibitors, Kevin Anton and Ali Savas from the integration department presented the twelve-week "Start course" and the "Start in SZ" prevention chain. The Start course teaches initial language skills and at the same time introduces the refugees to the city with institutions and contact points relevant to everyday life, such as schools, doctors, playgrounds, libraries, authorities and the like.

The Salzgitter prevention chain contains interlinked offers for every stage of life - from infants to senior citizens. They cover language teaching as well as care, advice, employment and leisure activities. Volunteers work hand in hand with full-time helpers.

The offers met with great interest from the professional audience. The city's stand was well attended. The two Syrians Sami Alhussein and Hamedi Alwais, who came to Salzgitter as refugees just over a year ago and reported first-hand on the local integration concept, were particularly popular discussion partners. Hamedi Alwais is now employed by AWistA Fredenberg as part of the Bundesfreiwilligendienst.

The feedback from the Salzgitter residents after the conference was consistently positive: "The event was an all-round success. It is valuable for our day-to-day work to be able to exchange experiences with other local authorities and people working in the field of refugee aid," said Kevin Anton.