The Need for Holistic Policies

There has never been a time when human mobility has played a more significant role than in today's society. There are currently some one billion migrants worldwide and of these, more than 232 million are international migrants, representing approximately three percent of the global population. Migration is and will continue to be a hugely significant trend during the 21st century – and the potential impact of mobility on our economic systems, societies and cultures cannot be ignored. At the International Organization for Migration IOM) we believe migration as inevitable as a result of a number of demographic trends and other key factors in our globalized world. We also view migration as something that is both positive and desirable.

Migration is vital for socio-economic development and growth, and it is especially important to Europe on account of the current challenges being posed by demographic change. Migrants make an important contribution to economic innovation, use many local services, consume local goods and pay into tax, social security and pension systems. There is no doubt that migration also poses certain challenges and risks – not only to host countries and societies, but also to the migrants themselves.

For this reason, IOM believes that good migration management is needed to ensure that migration is of positive benefit to all concerned – migrants, host countries and countries of origin alike. Effective migration management should involve everything from labour migration and refugee policy to the fight against human smuggling and trafficking and the relationship between migration and development. The integration of immigrants into the society of their host country is a key component of any comprehensive migration management system. Immigration and integration policies should therefore always be thought of as being totally interdependent.

The issue of integration is currently a matter of regular political and public debate. Indeed, there are very few topics that attract quite so much public interest these days. Having said that, the potential impact of policymaking on migration and integration issues on the future of our society is still often underestimated.

Today we live in societies that are characterized by a cultural diversity that is a direct consequence of the migration trends we have witnessed over recent decades. However, this growing diversity is often perceived as a threat to the social cohesion of these societies. In many places, integration policies have proven to be inadequate, with generations of immigrants in some European countries continuing to live without any real sense of integration. What is needed is a broader public debate on migration and integration that involves all the actors who have a stake in this issue and that seeks to find innovative approaches aimed at creating more effective integration policies.

Migration is vital for socio-economic development and growth, and it is especially important to Europe on account of the current challenges being posed by demographic change.

Integration is a complex process that naturally poses challenges to individuals, societies and governments alike. It forces everyone to deal with some sensitive issues. Migration is a process of change for everyone involved – for the migrants starting a new life in a country and culture that may be alien to them, and for the host countries that experience increased cultural diversity. The growing trend towards greater heterogeneity and cultural diversity in today's society poses a number of fundamental questions: How does a society deal with this kind of change? How can we raise the level of acceptance of immigrants and refugees among the general population? How do immigrants perceive their experiences in their new country and what is their attitude towards their new home? How can cultural diversity and cultural differences be used for the benefit of the migrants themselves, their country of origin and the host country?

It is essential that integration policies recognize the importance of these particular issues to modern societies. Integration is essential for all concerned in order to guarantee not just economic and cultural benefits, but also the stability and security of the societies involved. The aim of integration policies should be to give migrants the opportunity to realize their personal, economic and social potential, to reduce the alienation and marginalization experienced by many immigrants and to contribute to the social coherence and harmony of society.

Integration can only really work if it represents a mutual process of adaptation and adjustment between immigrants and their host societies and puts duties, responsibilities and respect at the forefront of any value system, including the country's legal system. Successful integration is in part down to the sense of personal responsibility felt by immigrants and their willingness to actively make an effort to fit into society and to recognize that their new country is in fact their home now. But at the same time, there is also a need for open societies that will actively welcome and recognize new people both for their potential and their differences. What is needed is an integration policy that not only helps immigrants to integrate into society but which also promotes openness and acceptance on the part of the host country.

These days, the question of integration is often discussed primarily in connection with the issue of Islam. The attack on the Charlie Hebdo editorial team in Paris in January 2015 brought the discussions on the integration of Muslims in many European countries back to the forefront of many people's attention. Hostility towards Islam and Muslims in general, a fear of being ‘overrun by foreigners’ and the ‘Islamization of Europe’ have all started to spread within certain sectors of society. There has also been a noticeable rise in the expression of xenophobic sentiments in many European countries. The current debate on the Islamization of Europe is a good example of the often distorted perceptions that many people have when it comes to migration. More often than not, these perceptions are not a true reflection of reality, and many prejudices and preconceptions have simply grown out of incorrect information.

In order to develop effective integration policies, it is essential that we find ways of addressing and combating this kind of racist thinking, wherever it may surface. It is important not only to counter these sorts of prejudices and preconceptions, but also to underline the positive benefits that immigration can have. Governments, civil society actors and the media all have to play their part in promoting tolerance and mutual respect.

In addition to fears over the Islamization of Europe, many people have a number of misconceptions when it comes to the costs of migration. The current debate over so-called 'poverty migration' out of Eastern Europe, which is commonly perceived to be a burden on the social systems of European countries, only serves to highlight the fears felt by the general population. Campaigns such as IOM's "It is amazing what migrants bring" serve to highlight how easy it is to counter the widespread belief that immigrants cost their host countries a lot of money. This global campaign stresses the positive aspects of migration and demonstrates the many ways in which immigrants enrich societies and contribute to economic, social and cultural progress. By presenting concrete facts and data on various aspects of migration, the aim is to counter the widespread misunderstandings, misconceptions and negative perceptions that many people hold. Europe needs to revise and modernize its attitude towards migration and immigrants. What is needed is a culture of welcome that not only recognizes and nurtures the potential of new immigrants but also accepts that immigration is in the best interests of both Germany and Europe as a whole.

What is needed is a culture of welcome that not only recognizes and nurtures the potential of new immigrants but also accepts that immigration is in the best interests of both Germany and Europe as a whole.

In order to obtain the necessary support for migration, it is essential to ensure that the debate on immigration and integration focuses primarily on the positive effects of migration, including the necessity for an ageing Europe to take in new migrants, the need to maintain international competitiveness and the important contribution that immigrants make to economic development and prosperity. It is also important to emphasize the fact that integration is not just down to the authorities but also requires individuals to play their part in helping to integrate new arrivals into their communities.

It is also important for politicians to take the question of integration as a cross-sectoral issue much more seriously than they have in the past. Integration policies should not simply be the remit of ministries of the interior – there needs to be a greater awareness of the fact that integration has a potential impact on a whole number of different areas of policymaking. Issues such as equal opportunities, education, the labour market and employment, health, social cohesion and national security, not to mention the relationship between migration, development policy and regional development, all have a significant role to play in developing integration policies. This means that there will need to be more productive cooperation between the various ministries and government actors at both federal and state level.

Integration means being a real part of society. It also means that people have fair and equal access to education, gainful employment, social security systems and healthcare. There is no doubt that knowledge of the local language has a vital role to play when it comes to integration and is essential if people wish to play a full and active part in a country's society. Learning the local language is therefore an important first step in the process of integration. However, policies aimed at promoting integration should not be limited to encouraging immigrants to learn the language but should also actively support efforts to integrate them into working life or the education system.

Education and vocational training is not only the key to helping people successfully integrate into the labour market, but also to helping them actively participate in social life and culture. It is the key to social advancement. In Germany, academic success is to a large extent dependent on the professional qualifications and social status of a student's parents. Compared to other countries, the German education system is not particularly good at compensating for educational disadvantages. This is something which particularly affects people with a migrant background on account of their social status.

Creating equal opportunities in the labour market and combating discrimination and exploitation must therefore be another central plank of integration policies. One issue that urgently needs to be addressed in labour market policies is the recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad. It is important to take active steps to prevent people from simply falling into the welfare net. The aim of measures taken in this area must be to encourage and support immigrants to use their abilities to play an active role in society. It should be possible to prepare migrants for their new life before they arrive in their target country by providing them with information on job opportunities, recognition of qualifications, the social, legal and education systems and even language courses.

It is also important to involve immigrants in shaping the culture and society of both Germany and Europe as a whole. This will require new thinking and some innovative approaches aimed at a participation and inclusion. It will also necessitate a values-based society and a culture that is both constantly self-renewing and open to accepting and working with new influences. Not simply the coexistence of closed-off subcommunities that do not communicate with each other, but a society built on dialogue and exchange. This means giving due consideration and respect to others rather than falling back on confrontation and polarization.

Another key issue in the current debate over European migration is the lack of adequate policies for dealing with the refugee question. The shortage of opportunities to migrate legally into Europe is forcing many people into the hands of smugglers. People who are actually in genuine need of protection often end up travelling to Europe via illegal channels in order to submit an application for asylum so that they can be officially recognized as vulnerable or as refugees.

Figures recently published by the European Commission suggest that 276,000 migrants travelled across the Mediterranean to Europe in the space of one year, representing a billion-dollar industry for human smugglers. This kind of smuggling endangers the migrants themselves and also serves to convince many sections of the population that the system is being overrun, and that control has been lost. For this reason, we need more official resettlement channels being to bring refugees and genuine humanitarian cases to Germany and Europe, along with the creation of more opportunities for legal labour migration.

When it comes to the integration of asylum seekers and refugees, the principle should be to start the process of integration as soon as possible, even if it is not clear whether the person will be staying permanently. Statistics show that the majority of asylum seekers and refugees who are granted tolerated stay status do in fact remain in Germany in the long-term. It is important, therefore, for the integration process to encourage active participation in society, even during the period when the asylum seekers status is still being assessed.

Integration policies should not boil down to a simple question of security – although one of the aims of integration should indeed be to maintain security and stability within societies. The conflict in Syria has resulted in warnings about European Islamists returning home after fighting in the Syrian civil war. The radicalization of individuals does indeed present a potential danger that needs to be taken seriously. However, this should not result in all people with a migrant background coming under general suspicion. Mechanisms need to be put in place to recognize the radicalization of individuals and to ensure that radicalized young people are not allowed to present a danger to their fellow citizens. This will require cooperation and exchange of information between security services and those responsible for integration policy.

[The radicalization of individuals] should not result in all people with a migrant background coming under general suspicion.

We need better cooperation between security services, integration specialists, social actors (such as local actors involved in education, social and youth work, as well as politics) and the immigrants themselves. Any networks that have direct access to the various communities should try to promote mutual exchange and understanding amongst the immigrants and the security forces. Social cohesion and a culture of caring can lead to positive social control and help to identify radicalized individuals early with a view to intervening. Preventive measures are also important and need to be promoted and encouraged in a more targeted way, including involving the security services.

The issues surrounding integration and migration policies cannot be simply addressed through a special programme but are the ongoing responsibility of both the state and civil society. What are needed are coherent, holistic migration policies. The cooperation between the various actors involved is often inadequate and the different aspects of migration and integration policies are often viewed as separate issues. If we are to achieve better integration in the 21st century there is a pressing need for greater effort and more innovative approaches.