Integration of migrants: the contribution of local and regional authorities (NEW UPDATE)
The term ‘integration’ is understood as the process of inclusion of immigrants in the institutions and relationships of the host society. The national responsibility exists of formulating policies, creating legal and administrative frameworks and collecting and disseminating statistical data. The question of integrating immigrants is primarily framed at the level of nation state.
But in reality integration itself takes place on the local level. Nowadays most people are located in urban areas where they live, work, go to school, learn the language and develop a social network. For this reason local and regional authorities play an important in realising a successful integration process. In the cities people are given the change to integrate.
A clear focus on the local and regional level
Because of the important role of local and regional authorities this paper has a clear focus on this level. The paper aims to create an framework for implementing proposed projects, involving cooperation between local and regional actors in the area of integration policy at local level. It discusses several areas relevant to integration policy at the local level and how they relate to the concept of integration. Besides this, opportunities and limitations of integration policies at the local level and the interconnectedness of the levels are examined as well. Finally, documents, statements and opinions published by European key political actors are analysed.
Conclusions: the importance of ‘bottom-up’ involvement
The analysis in this paper leads to the conclusion that important European institutions agree on the fact and acknowledge the importance of the involvement of local and regional authorities in the promotion of successful integration of immigrants. The European policy is namely focused on actors from the national member state level. This should be completed by a ‘bottom-up ‘ involvement of relevant actors from the local and regional level.