Integration, Multiculturalism and Managing Cultural Diversity

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Principles” (CBPs) of integration of what is needed for integration to work best.

The CBPs were adopted at an EU Council of Ministers chaired by the Dutch Presidency on 19 November 2004. They were an initiative of the Presidency i.e. not of the Commission, which, as mentioned, is usually sole initiator in policy and legislation but not in immigration, asylum and integration matters (Mac Einri, 2007). These principles set out what integration should be.

The Common Basic Principles

1. Integration is a dynamic, two-way process

2. Integration implies respect for the basic values of the EU by every resident.

3. Employment is a key part of the integration process

4. Basic knowledge of the host society’s language, history, and institutions is indispensable to integration

5. Efforts in education are essential in preparing immigrants

6. Access for immigrants to institutions, public and private goods and services, is an indispensable foundation for better integration.

7. Frequent interaction between immigrants and citizens of the Member States is a fundamental

8. The practice of diverse cultures and religions is guaranteed under the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

9. The participation of immigrants in the democratic process and in the formulation of integration policies and measures, is a key to effective integration.

10. Mainstreaming integration policies and measures in all relevant policy portfolios and levels of government and public services is an important consideration in public policy formation and implementation.

11. Developing clear goals, indicators and evaluation mechanisms are necessary to adjust policy, evaluate progress and to make the exchange of information more effective

These principles seek to strike a number of balances. At the very least the CBPs establish a number of key principles and to set out an agenda to tackle racism, discrimination and social exclusion, however, despite the adoption of these principles, there has been little action since in their implementation at European level, and member states continue to insist on their own sovereignty in this area.

Conclusion

This essay has set out to … successful integration requires the proper incorporation of the CBPs and should look at a persons time spent in the host country, the various barriers to integration such as socioeconomic resources and class position in the host country, economic environment and levels of discrimination and stigmatization, and the various institutional structures. For successful integration in the future there should be a continued focus on integration of immigrants as “anything else threatens the basic political ordering of (Europe) into state centred, state organized social forms” (Favell, 2003).

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