“Turning Principles into Actions”

A report written for The Ministerial Integration Conference in Groningen, 9-11 November 2004

Organised by The Netherlands’ Ministry of Justice, in co-operation with the Migration Policy Institute Under the Auspices of the The Netherlands’ Presidency of the European Union

A Policy Brief on: Introductory Programmes and Initiatives for New Migrants in Europe, written by Sarah Spencer with Anna di Mattia

Summary:

Migration is a permanent feature of European societies. It can bring significant benefits. But successful integration of migrants can not be taken for granted. For some migrants the integration process is not proving successful: in employment, education, housing, health or community relations.

There is growing consensus on the need to promote integration into the labour market and society; to focus on newcomers and the second generation; and that integration is a two-way process. It requires the migrant to adapt and the host society to address the barriers that can prevent full economic and social participation.

This paper looks at the integration of newcomers. It identifies the differing approaches adopted and good practice which could be shared. It outlines:

• Which new migrants are the target
• What the integration initiatives are designed to achieve
• Which agencies are responsible
• When the initiatives take place
• Whether participation is a matter of choice, incentive or compulsion
• What the programmes and varied initiatives consist of
• What has worked; and what has been less successful

To download the full report (.pdf) in English click here; in French click here

To download the above policy brief (.pdf) in English click here

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