Unlocking the Potential of Migrants in Europe:
From Isolation to Multi-level Integration

Key Speakers

Ionut Sasu, Policy Officer, European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Ms. Anna Ludwinek, Research Officer, Living Conditions and Quality of Life Unit, Eurofound
Dr. Emma Carmel, Senior Lecturer, University of Bath
Korrie Louwes, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam
Prof. Dr. Rinus Penninx, Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of Amsterdam

Christina Baglai, Programme Officer Intercultural Cities Programme Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity Directorate General of Democracy (DGII)

Most EU Member States have experienced increased migration over the last decade with migration from third countries representing approximately 4% of the total EU population (20.1 million citizens). Furthermore, there are European cities and regions with over 20% of immigrants and 40% of persons with a migration background.

The Europe 2020 Strategy and the Stockholm Programme recognise the potential of migration and more effective integration of legal migrants for building a competitive and sustainable economy. Currently, there are wide socio-economic disparities between third-country nationals and EU citizens with immigrants experiencing higher rates of unemployment, over-qualification, low economic achievement, low income and poor health. Much work still needs to be done in order to address these inequalities and as such, there are calls for policies to be directed towards integrating migrants into European society and to combat discrimination that limits their potential.

Employment has a vital role in integrating migrants into society, yet despite the economic crisis many member states are still experiencing labour shortages. Furthermore, of the migrants who are employed, many are in jobs for which they are over-qualified due to the foreign educational credentials and work experience not being recognised.

The renewed European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (2011) outlines how to understand and better support integration. It is necessary to implement a variety of approaches, depending on the differing challenges faced by migrants. The Agenda places an emphasis on migrants’ full participation in society, highlights the key role of local authorities and the involvement of countries of origin to help the integration process.

This timely international symposium provides a vital platform for key stakeholders to disseminate knowledge on the most sustainable and successful integration strategies, which involve both migrants and the host societies at a multi-sector level. Due to the current state of the European economy and potential influx of migrants following the Arab Spring, the need to discuss current integration strategies is essential. The Symposium will discuss the complexities and comparative experiences from within the diverse regions of Europe.

Public Policy Exchange welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Delegates will:

  • Disseminate best practices from various EU regions in relation to the integration of migrants through education, language courses, employment, health care and other sectors
  • Assess the extent to which the Common European Principles for Integration have been implemented and assisted in formulating integration policies
  • Explore multidimensional and multi-sectoral strategies to ensure higher rates of employment and economic achievement for immigrants
  • Discuss policies for encouraging greater cohesion between Member State citizens and immigrants, and combating misconceptions about immigrants to prevent discrimination

Programme

09:15 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

Dr. Emma Carmel, Senior Lecturer, University of Bath (confirmed)
10:10 Establishing Comprehensive and Holistic European Standards for Integration of Migrants
  • Assisting EU Member States to Implement Effective Integration Strategies
  • Ensuring Integration Strategies that are Complementary to EU Legislative Frameworks
  • Assisting Cooperation Between the Relevant Actors at the Local Level
  • Recommendations
Speaker:
Ionut Sasu, Policy Officer, European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (confirmed)
10:35 First Round of Discussions
11:05 Morning Coffee Break
11:25 Developing a Two-Way Process: Promoting Integration at the Local Level
  • Developing Integration Policies with a Bottom-Up Approach
  • Integration as a Two-Way Process - Involvement of Immigrants and Host State Citizens in Establishing Integration Processes and Policies
  • The Role of Education in Increasing Immigrants’ Participation in Society
  • Assessing Existing Programmes and Good Practices
  • Recommendations
Speakers:
Ms. Anna Ludwinek, Research Officer, Living Conditions and Quality of Life Unit, Eurofound (confirmed)
Korrie Louwes, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam (confirmed)
Prof. Dr. Rinus Penninx, Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of Amsterdam (confirmed)
12:10 Second Round of Discussions
12:40 Networking Lunch
13:40 Employment: The Key to Integrating Migrants into Society
  • Addressing the Prevailing Low Employment Rates of Immigrants
  • Analysing Employment Programmes Targeting the Needs of Immigrants
  • Over-Qualification of Immigrant Workers - Recognising Foreign Qualifications and Experience of Medium- and High-Skilled Immigrants
  • Ensuring the Labour Market Participation of Immigrant Women
  • Recommendations
Speakers:
Dr. Emma Carmel Senior Lecturer, University of Bath (confirmed)
Mr. Allan Leas Acting Secretary General, European Council on Refugees and Exiles (tbc)
14:05 Third Round of Discussions
14:35 Coffee Break
14:50 Promoting Better Integration: Tackling Misconceptions and Discrimination towards Immigrants
  • Recognising the Link Between Discrimination and Low Integration
  • Promoting Greater Cohesion Between Immigrants and Member State Citizens to Foster Integration
  • Ensuring the Mutual Respect of Different Cultures and Traditions and Addressing Misconceptions of Immigrants
  • Recommendations
Speaker:
Christina Baglai, Programme Officer Intercultural Cities Programme Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity Directorate General of Democracy (DGII) (confirmed)
15:15 Fourth Round of Discussions
15:45 Chair’s Summary and Closing Remarks
16:00 Networking Reception and Refreshments
16:30 Symposium Close

Who Should Attend?

  • Public Health Authorities
  • Border Agencies and Control Services
  • Ministries of Health
  • Health and Safety Executives
  • Social Services
  • Migration Authorities
  • Asylum Team Managers
  • Sheltered Housing Scheme Managers
  • Local, Regional and National Health Services
  • Social Care Professionals
  • Academics and Research Institutes
  • International Associations
  • Public Health Agencies
  • Hospitals and General Practitioners
  • Human Resource Professionals
  • Training Managers
  • Recruitment Advisers
  • Organisational Development Professionals
  • Equal Opportunities Officers
  • Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Practitioners
  • Immigration Advisers
  • Employee Relations Advisers
  • Police and Fire Service
  • Private Sector Employers
  • Public Sector Employers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Central Government Departments and Bodies
  • Regulatory Bodies
  • Citizens Advice and Third Sector Practitioners
  • Trade Union Representatives
  • Religious and Faith Groups
  • Housing Associations
  • Tenants and Residents' Associations
  • Local Strategic Partnerships
  • Neighbourhood Renewal Teams
  • Social Exclusion Officers
  • Third Sector Organisations
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Thursday 27th September 2012
The Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Brussels

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“ Integration is a process that starts on the ground and integration policies should be developed with a genuine 'bottom-up' approach, close to the local level. Such policies include actions such as support for language learning, introductory measures, access to employment, education and vocational training and the fight against discrimination, which all aim at increasing migrants' participation in society.

Integration requires the engagement by the receiving society in accommodating the migrants, respecting their rights and cultures and informing them about their obligations. At the same time, migrants need to show the willingness to integrate and to respect rules and values of the society in which they live. ”
- ‘European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals’, Communication from the European Commission, July 2011
“ To date, most studies have found that immigration has no, or a negligibly adverse impact on the employment rate or wages of natives in EU Member States. This is also true for the more recent waves of immigrants from the countries that joined the EU after the 2004 enlargement. While it has been argued that countries with higher social spending attract more immigrants with low earning capacity, this could not be confirmed in recent empirical studies. It has been established that, after considering their different characteristics, immigrants exhibit lower rates of welfare receipt relative to natives in most of the Member States; furthermore, unemployment benefits do not constitute a magnet for immigrants from EU and non-EU origins. Still, low-skilled natives tend to have negative attitudes towards immigration, since immigrants are perceived as direct competitors in the labour market. Many European citizens are in favour of restricting welfare access to immigrants, as they are perceived as “abusers” of the system. ”
- The Integration of Migrants and its Effect on the Labour Market, European Parliament, DG Internal Policies of the Union, June 2011