Palma de Mallorca 9-10 November 2006 Assemblée des Régions d’Europe DEMYSTIFYING MIGRATION: GLOBAL THREAT OR GLOBAL REALITY? Discussion table

Palma de Mallorca 9-10 November 2006

Assemblée des Régions d’Europe

DEMYSTIFYING MIGRATION: GLOBAL THREAT OR GLOBAL REALITY?

Discussion table



Theme Introduction

MIGRATION is not a new phenomenon. It has taken place in the past, for reasons equivalent to those of today. Population shifts have in fact contributed to the cultural fabric of modern European societies. Migrant workers are at the basis of the economic growth of many European countries and even today they constitute an essential layer of our labour markets.Their background contributes to our cultural enrichment.Furthermore migration is not likely to decrease, despite proposals for restrictive policies and Europe becomes increasingly attractive for migrants.Migration brings its own challenges, but it is also offering skills and social capital, which would otherwise not be available in Europe.



Layout

1. Presentation of the main questions to be examined

2. General overview on the migration phenomenon (points to stimulate discussion)

3. Structured Discussion

4. Contributions of the table



Presentation of the main questions to be examined

1. What are the potential and challenges of migration for the regions?2. What are the key challenges regions must address regarding

migration? What kind of policies are required? What is the correct balance between social, education and communication policies that should be applied?

3. What can regions do in order to retain their labour force and also to attract workers from the outside in order to stimulate economic growth (for example the potential of clusters, innovative service sectors, investment in research and development …)

4. How can regions contribute to national migration policies? Do national policies take into consideration the problems regions are confronted with?

5. How can regions encourage intercultural understanding between their citizens and social cohesion?

6. What measures can be taken in order to ensure a sustainable migration flow and to address the “brain drain” problem?

7. Do rural and urban regions face different problems regarding migration and is there a need for specially adapted policies in order to address these?



Overview on the Migration phenomenon

Some considerations to stimulate the discussion:-The opening of markets and shifts in the global economy lead to the relocation of companies to cheaper labour markets and thereby loss of jobs.-Global competition between labour markets has been presented as the cause for the revision of social models (financial sustainability of “European” social protection systems).-Limited success of the immigrants social inclusion policies of the past 30 years (old housing projects turning into ghettos, geographical boundaries, etc)- A rise in terrorism and recent military campaigns have led to intercultural and inter-religious “misunderstandings”.-A rise of political parties from the extreme ends of the political spectrum, which proclaim nationalist or protectionist policies-Migration policies (at national and European level) are becoming increasingly selective, with a preference for highly skilled workers



Overview on the Migration phenomenon

-European societies need to respond to the challenges of demographic change. Society is growing older and birth rates are low.-We don’t have enough workers to support our social and economic systems. We need to find alternative labour sources-Modern economic reality requires a mobile workforce. Remote and sparsely populated areas face the challenge, firstly of fighting brain drain and also of attracting workers in order to stimulate their economic growth-Europe is grounded in intercultural understanding, integration and inclusion (human rights)-The opening of national markets and the free movement of workers is a fundamental principle of the European project. But with the latest EU enlargement, the majority of Member states decided to impose restrictions on workers from the new members.



Structured discussionRECORDS/MILESTONES Examples of questions to be discussed

The regional “point of view” of the phenomenon

What are the potential and challenges of migration for the regions?

What are the key challenges regions must address regarding migration? what kind of policies are required?

How can regions contribute to national migration policies? Do national policies take into consideration the problems regions are confronted with?

Do rural and urban regions face different problems regarding migration and is there a need for specially adapted policies in order to address these?

Migration: an ECONOMIC phenomenon.

Flows of Human Capital/Labour market/ Economic Growth

What measures can be taken in order to ensure a sustainable migration flow and to address the “brain drain” problem?

What can regions do in order to retain their labour force and also to attract workers from the outside in order to stimulate economic growth (for example the potential of clusters, innovative service sectors, investment in research and development, )

Migration: a SOCIAL phenomenon.

Interculturality /social cohesion

How can regions encourage intercultural understanding between their citizens and social cohesion?

What is the correct balance between social, education and communication policies that should be applied?

Documents

Palma de Mallorca 9-10 November 2006 Assemblée des Régions d’Europe DEMYSTIFYING MIGRATION: GLOBAL THREAT OR GLOBAL REALITY? Discussion table