From Participation to Equal Partnership: Whose Knowledge Shapes Political Decisions? 

Shaden Sabouni and Zohra Wandaa represented the Refugee Advisory Board Germany (RAB Germany) at the conference of Netzwerk Fluchtforschung e.V. in Hildesheim. They contributed to a roundtable entitled “From Participation to Equal Partnership in Political Decision-Making?”, exploring what meaningful refugee participation requires in practice and how it can move beyond consultation towards equal partnership. 

Those present examined different dimensions of participation, from regular consultation and representation in political processes to questions of access, influence and recognition. A central theme was the value assigned to different forms of knowledge in political decision-making. Refugee representatives contribute not only lived experience but also substantial professional expertise and knowledge of political and institutional processes. The exchange raised important questions about how this expertise is recognised, whose perspectives are considered authoritative and how power dynamics shape opportunities to influence decisions. 

The discussion highlighted that meaningful participation requires more than providing opportunities to share experiences. It also means recognising refugee representatives as knowledgeable partners whose contributions can help shape policies and decisions. Moving towards equal partnership therefore requires reflecting on how expertise is valued and how influence is distributed within decision-making structures. 

We look forward to continuing the conversation on how refugee participation can become a more inclusive and influential part of political decision-making.