Brussels, 20/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission published its European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals on Wednesday 20 July, through which it hopes to encourage integration through employment, particularly against a background of an ageing European population, through education and training and through acquisition of language skills.
The Commission intends to present a series of initiatives to member states. In 2010 there were more than 20 million people from third countries living in the EU, the Commission notes, and Europe has much to gain, in particular economically, from the successful integration of migrants, it goes on. Taking the view that the EU must adopt a positive attitude towards diversity and put in place solid guarantees on fundamental rights and equal treatment, the Commission, in its communication, suggests action in three areas: integration through participation; more local level initiatives; and the involvement of countries of origin.
Along the measures suggested, it proposes that educational systems take greater account of the needs of migrants: member states are called on, for example, to: - organise languages courses taking account of the differing needs among migrants and their varying stages of integration; - put in place introduction schemes for recently arrived migrants, for instance, language and civics courses; - adopt measures to discover and assess the needs of each and to validate qualifications and vocational experience. Member states are also urged to tackle unemployment among migrants, especially women, by putting in place more targeted labour market policies. Member states should also take steps to remedy the situation where many migrants, including women, are often overqualified for the jobs they hold - making them “under-employed resources”, the Commission writes.
The Commission says in its communication that countries of origin can help prepare migrants' integration even before they leave, by providing, for example, language courses, by supporting their nationals once they arrive in the EU, through their embassies, for instance, or indeed by preparing the temporary or definitive return of migrants who have acquired experience and skills, the Commission goes on. (S.P./transl.rt)