Is “the other” a danger?

Migration is part of man’s DNA. Since the dawn of civilization, large and small populations moved to fertile and receptive habitats. The Bible “devoted” an entire book to this question. In modern times Europeans were the first to leave, headed towards the “Americas”, along the route accidentally opened by Christopher Columbus. Initial intentions weren’t edifying (imperialism, enrichment, more-or-less forced evangelization), and were marked by errors – often crimes – for which the Church and a few governments asked forgiveness. Industrialization and wars conferred to overseas migrations a merely economic bearing. Hardships characterized the first settlements along with underworld drifts, mostly exported by Italian and Irish migrants. However, there have been also a number of respectful fraternal and successful examples, encouraged by an open, cosmopolite and well-regulated system that promoted integration. But which the plague of marginalization also took root through slavery and acts of racism perpetrated against the coloured population while social issues and solidarity were disregarded. Migration in Europe – pertaining to the national realities of the south and northern regions of Italy and Germany – ensued shortly after. The proportions of this migration are small still today (taking Europe as a whole), when considering the ongoing internal mobility of Americans and Japanese people. We are more “homey”. By paradox, European populations that expressed a less ‘domestic’ attitude were those that treasured family bonds and values. Indeed, in the 1950s and the 1960s the Italians, the Greeks and the Portuguese were the pioneers of a desperate form of emigration (that at times was induced) towards Belgium’s mines and Germany’s heavy industries. In defiance of all Declarations or Agreements on the Rights of Man, dark pages abound also in this case. However sad and inconceivable the lack of common EU migration (and – to our advice – integration) policy may sound, the revolutionary establishment of the principle regulating the free circulation of people ought to be granted the merit of having restored dignity and respect to intra-Community immigration.Immigration towards Europe is a different phenomenon that started with colonialism. In fact, it was confined to 6 countries only (United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal). Italy was barely involved. Also thanks to language, “colonial” migrants’ integration in the productive and social fabric of the hosting countries has been remarkably positive. The greatest difficulties are being experienced by the second and third generations, especially in France. It would be hypocritical to deny that adhesion to Eastern Europe Communities caused further flows of people (including legal and illegal immigration from post-Soviet countries), which many EU Governments weren’t – and still aren’t – ready to cope with. But signs were there to be seen after the fall of the Berlin Wall, after Albanians’ tragic exodus along with the flight of refugees from ex-Yugoslavia, not to mention millions of Turkish citizens that settled down in Germany over the past decades.Poor migration flow control in cooperation with the Countries of origin, along with the lack of coordinated efforts at Community level, triggered problems relating to integration and acceptance. These news items are constantly at the centre of media and people’s attention. Moreover, integration within States hit by crises in values and in the economy is extremely complex. There ensues racist and criminal acts in both directions while rejection, an unfortunate part of human nature, lingers on. We witness the rejection of hospitality, reception, and the refusal to understand the peculiarities of the “different” persons. While an increasing number of immigrants fail to respect the basic rules of coexistence. At domestic level, the European Union has made leaps forward. Although a European passport has not been established yet, free circulation, health cards and the freedom of profession are the gateway to European citizenship. The situation changes for the worse in external borders: praiseworthy integration efforts (requiring greater involvement of civil society and of all those who work and passionately devote themselves to integration) ought to be accompanied by firmer stands in demanding Third countries’ cooperation in complying with legislations, along with equal treatment to European citizens that decide to live and settle down abroad. Receiving, listening, respecting and complying with the rules, along with solidarity, religious tolerance, dialogue and coexistence: an ideal – albeit distant – picture. It’s a cultural problem relating to education, that everyone is called to address.