Organiser : Guy DESPLANQUES
Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques -
INSEE (FR)
International migration occurs for a number of reasons. Employment is the first reason, especially for highly educated people. Young people migrate for training and education opportunities and they often settle where they attend school or university. Asylum seeking is also an import source of international migrants. New reasons to migrate have emerged in recent years: professionals working for multinational corporations may stay abroad for several years with their family; others seek a more pleasant environment establishing secondary homes, which may become permanent residences at retirement.
Migration is facilitated by lower transportation costs and by frequent trips to foreign countries. Nevertheless the number of international migrants has not grown rapidly. Indeed there exist a number of political, economic and cultural barriers to migration. Differences of language and habits, and distance from family members, make it difficult for migrants to adapt to a foreign country, and leave family at home. The presentation session provided an overview of international migration within the European Union as well as other countries from a statistical perspective describing the demographic consequences of migratory movements and how they vary from one country to another. Finally, the session presented a panorama of European migration policies.
The first round table discussed the future of migration in Europe. The task is difficult. Should we expect an increase in migration? A better understanding of this question comes from an examination of two emigrant countries who are candidates to enter the European Union, Romania and Turkey, and Morocco, a country that sends migrants as well as serving as a transit country for migrants on their way to Europe. Will future immigrants be more qualified and able to access other types of jobs than those they have occupied up to the present?
Round table two focused on migrant integration. What are the information needs concerning this important social question on the national and European level? Currently a debate exists on the indicators used to measure integration. Is it possible to compare European countries using these indicators? Are the indicators useful for designing and evaluating policy?
Round table three examined migration motivated by factors other than employment: migration in search of a better way of life, for family reasons, education, or political asylum. The easing of European borders is likely to modify migration behaviour, expanding geographic horizons, with consequences for European regions.