Traditional notions of migrant integration into host communities
need to be rethought in an increasingly trans-national world, said
the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as it holds a
two-day meeting on integration issues in Geneva today.



The meeting, which brings together representatives from IOM’s
118 member states, international organizations, non-governmental
organizations, the private sector and academia, will focus on
“Migrants and the Host Society: Partnerships for
Success”, part of IOM’s International Dialogue on
Migration, in an effort to take a new look at addressing one of the
most challenging socio-economic issues of modern times.



Current integration policies and approaches are mostly based on
unidirectional human movement which usually ends in permanent
settlement in destination countries and a change in nationality.




International migration today is, however, increasingly temporary,
circular and multi-directional. People can receive an education,
work, raise a family and retire in several different countries.
This mobility has in turn led to an evolving sense of individual
identity and a feeling of belonging to more than one country or
society among many migrants. This, as well as the ability to hold
dual or multiple nationalities or trans-nationalism, lies at one
end of the migrant integration spectrum.



“What we are seeing is a range of integration practices
emerging today. At one extreme - very little interaction between
migrants and host societies due to imposed or self-imposed
segregation. At the other, trans-nationalism, while in-between, the
vast bulk of integration policies pursue assimilation and
adaptation to the dominant culture. But in an increasingly
globalized world, integration has to take on a different meaning
simply because of this fluidity of movement and policies need to
reflect this reality,” said Brunson McKinley, IOM Director
General.



For these policies to be successful, they would need to be
inclusive in their approach, involving the whole of society and
government at national and local levels. Civil society and the
private sector in particular could and should play a key role on
this issue. Integration requires a two-way adaption between
migrants and host societies.



Changing migration trends highlight not only the need for
integration efforts to be flexible in order to be effective, but
also the need to address the role of temporary migrants in modern
society.



“Integration does not necessarily imply permanent settlement.
It does imply a set of rights and obligations on the part of
migrants and host societies, as well as questions of access to
services and the labour market. Added to this is a respect for a
set of core values that bind a society together. Countries with
large numbers of undocumented migrants have concerns over social
cohesion and stability which cannot be ignored and which have to be
addressed,” added McKinley.



In some countries where undocumented migrants are defacto
integrated partly because they speak the language and have a job,
governments have regularised their status either in recognition of
their contribution to the national economy, or to prevent their
exploitation or marginalization by promoting their fuller
integration.



In general, failure to address integration issues adequately can
have negative social and economic implications such as persistent
unemployment or under-employment among many second and third
generation migrants. This increases isolation and frustration
fuelled by relative poverty and limited educational and vocational
opportunities, and can lead to acute social tensions and possible
violence.



Integration has to involve all aspects of life, not just the
economic. Social policies, particularly in health and education
that promote acceptance of diversity are more likely to help
migrants integrate and help build productive, healthy societies.




Cultural and religious tolerance are equally important to avoid
discrimination and xenophobia though this needs to be accompanied
by specific support for migrants coming from countries where
religion plays a key role. This includes pre-departure cultural
orientation for migrants so they know what to expect in terms of
core values of the new society and awareness raising activities
within schools, the workplace and the media in destination
countries. This will prime host communities to the arrival of
migrants.



Politically, there needs to be commitment to fighting xenophobia
and discrimination and in ensuring employers abide by labour
standards for all migrants.



“If the rise of extremism and the perpetuation of stereotypes
are to be overcome, then partnerships between policy-makers, the
private sector, civil society and migrants themselves are essential
to devising effective integration policies and programmes,”
said McKinley. “We know that migrants contribute greatly to
the economic prosperity of host countries. But the diversity of
migration needs a diversity of policy approach.”





For further information on the meeting in Geneva and background
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