A growing presence

There are approximately 20 million “foreigners”, i.e. immigrants from third countries, in the European Union (Eurostat data). Their growing presence, due to the mobility of peoples that has been increasingly accentuated over the last twenty years, is creating problems (there’s no point denying that), but it can also be seen as an opportunity for the Old Continent to rejuvenate itself; for Europe today finds itself in a situation of a birth-rate reduced to the minimum, an ageing population, declining numbers of young people and a lack of workers, at least for some jobs and professional sectors. In response to this situation, the EU Commission adopted a “European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals” on 20 July.Participating in collective life. The document was presented in Brussels by Cecilia Malmström, Commmissioner for Home Affairs, who recalled that this initiative responds to a request of the Stockholm Programme which deals with justice, immigration and security. The Agenda places particular emphasis on the full participation of migrants “in all aspects of collective life” and “highlights the key role of local authorities” (especially cities and regions). “Successful integration implies that migrants are given the opportunity to participate fully in their new communities – explained Malmström -. Learning the language of the receiving country, getting access to employment and education, and having the socio-economic capacity to support themselves are crucial elements for a successful integration”. The Swedish Commissioner recognises, however, that thus far “integration of migrants in Europe has not been very successful”. So “we must all do more: for the sake of the people coming here, but also since well-integrated migrants are an asset for the EU, as they enrich our societies culturally and economically”.Work, education, culture. The fields in which the Agenda is concentrated, indicating many different measures to promote the inclusion of foreigners, range from work to schools, from housing to culture. “Diversity brought by migration, if well managed, can be a competitive advantage and a source of dynamism for the European economies”, says the Commission. “If the EU is to meet its target to bring the level of employment to 75% by 2020, it is vital to remove barriers for migrants’ access to employment – not least since the European workforce is decreasing as a consequence of the demographic challenge that the EU is facing”. For example, the Commission estimates that by 2020 – so within a decade – “in terms of future demand for carers for the elderly”, “there will be a shortage of about 1 million professionals in the health sector – and up to 2 million if ancillary healthcare professions are taken into account”. Immigrants, if professionally trained, could therefore find employment in hospital wards or in care homes. The “recipes” proposed by the Barroso Executive cover further fields. “Integration – says the Agenda – “must start where people meet every day: work places, schools, public areas”. Furthermore, “measures to strengthen democratic participation should include training and mentors, facilitating for migrants to vote, creating local, regional and national consultative bodies, or encouraging entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation”. Another point emphasized by the Agenda is the acquisition of language skills, which “lead to better job opportunities, support social contact-making and give migrants independence”. This aspect, according to Malmström , is particularly important for immigrant women, “who otherwise may be fairly isolated”.Eurobarometer survey. In support of its ideas in support of the social and cultural inclusion of migrants, the Commission has also presented the results of a survey specially conducted by Eurobarometer. The public-opinion polling institute of the EU highlights some negative aspects, though these are fairly well known: for example it points out that there does exist real “fear” among Europeans of immigrants “filling jobs” that could go to EU citizens; Eurobarometer further attests that there is a good deal of confusion in public opinion between regular and irregular migrants; the mass media for their part “contribute to increasing the negative stereotypes in attitudes to foreigners”. On the other hand, there is “broad consensus on the importance of integration on the workplace and in schools and on the positive contribution that migrants make to local culture”. The sample of those interviewed in the survey comprised both EU citizens and immigrants: “Both groups – says the report – agree on the factors that make integration work, namely speaking the language, finding a job and understanding the local culture”. Those interviewed by Eurobarometer further “agree on the need for a greater effort on all sides to exploit the advantages of immigration”, with a particular commitment asked of States and territorial authorities.