Open AccessFrom immigration to integration - can we learn from countries with elaborated immigrant integration policies?
Author(s) -
Vesna Lukić
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
zbornik matice srpske za društvene nauke/zbornik matice srpske za društvene nauke
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0836
pISSN - 0352-5732
DOI - 10.2298/zmsdn1867639l
Subject(s) - immigration , cognitive reframing , competence (human resources) , social integration , immigration policy , political science , economic integration , economic growth , development economics , economics , psychology , law , social psychology , management
The paper discusses the concept of a multidimensional and multidirectional process of immigrant integration, as well as the complex relation of immigration and integration policies. Although the growing importance of transnational perspective in migration studies suggests the reframing and redefining of the immigrant integration concept, immigration and integration are primarily in the competence of the receiving countries. In this respect, measurement and evaluation of integration makes the basis for integration management. Monitoring of the changes in the field of immigrants? rights and opportunities for integration in the receiving country?s society enables the formulation and adjustment of appropriate general and specific policies. Assessment and comparison of the level of development and characteristics of national integration policies, based on the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), is an introduction into discussion on how different European countries are facing the issue of integration of immigrants from the perspective of eight policy areas. The analysis has been undertaken with the aim of pointing to the position of Serbia among the European countries, observed according to the degree of development of the immigrant integration policies, as well as the corresponding changes in the 2012-2014 period. Based on the analysis presented, it can be concluded that there is a need to encourage further elaboration and implementation of appropriate immigrant integration policy and measures, whereby Serbia should use the experience of countries that have high achievements in this field. This is particularly significant in those areas where there are low values of MIPEX indicators for Serbia (health, education) as well as their negative trend (political participation, access to nationality). In these areas state-supported targeted measures are needed. However, they can not be fully applicable given the small immigrant population and insufficient financial resources in Serbia.