Association of binational families and partnerships
The Association of Binational Families and Partnerships, IAF e. V. is a non-profit association in Germany recognized by the Ministry of Family Affairs , which sees itself as representing the interests of people and families with several nationalities . The federal office of the association is in Frankfurt am Main . There are currently 23 regional offices nationwide. According to its own information, the association has around 1500 members.
history
The association was founded in 1972 as I connected nteressengemeinschaft A usländern married F harsh founded (iaf).
The concept of binationality is not only related to marriages and partnerships in which the partners have different nationalities, but generally to families in whose everyday life two or more national cultures come together.
In 2008, every ninth marriage in Germany was a binational. Even if the number of marriages between Germans and foreigners has decreased in recent years, the phenomenon of plurinationality has increased overall.
A special situation can be identified in the new federal states: Before 1989 questions about the integration of foreigners living in the former GDR were taboo in public. The work of the association in the new federal states was therefore more difficult than in the old states.
activities
The tasks and activities of the association include:
- Intercultural and binational family counseling and mediation
- Advisory and educational work on the subject of binationality and multilingualism
- Organization and implementation of events on the subject of multilingualism, integration and discrimination
The interculturality is reflected in the consultation, as the clients are looked after by a multilingual or multinational team.
The association has published several books and brochures, including advice on multilingualism and binationality in everyday life.
See also
literature
- Burkhardt Montanari, Elke, How Children Grow Up Multilingual: A Guide . Frankfurt am Main 2000. ISBN 978-3860991947 .
- Schroedter, Julia H., Binational Marriage in Germany . Federal Statistical Office , Wiesbaden 2006.
- Stöcker-Zafari, Hiltrud and the Association of Binational Families and Partnerships iaf eV (ed.), Binational everyday life in Germany: Advice on immigration law, family law and intercultural coexistence . Frankfurt am Main 2004. ISBN 978-3860991879 .
- Association of binational families and partnerships iaf eV (Ed.), Finding the balance (bicultural couples and families) . Frankfurt am Main 2004. ISBN 978-3860997444 .
- Association of binational families and partnerships iaf eV (Ed.), Intercultural Life 15 years IAF in East Germany . Leipzig 2007.