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Eight migration stereotypes presented by the Migration Policy Centre
Mariana Andrei - Communication Coordinator
28 July 2014
Professor Philippe Fargues, Director of the Migration Policy Centre (MPC) within the European University Institute in Florence, has recently presented to the European Commission the report "Is what we hear about migration really true? Questioning eight stereotypes".
The MPC experts examined eight migration stereotypes, the most common of which are: "we don't need migrants"; "migrants steal our jobs", or "economic migrants are trying to cheat our asylum systems". The assessment of these stereotypes in the light of empirical evidence helps better understand the importance of migration for compensating the effects of the European population’s ageing, particularly regarding the sustainability of welfare systems and the ageing of skills. Low-skilled migrants are also important for Europe’s economy, as they enable the employment of natives in highly-skilled occupations and at the same time they fill any vacancies resulting from labour market mobility.
Immigration has been a controversial topic in European politics for decades. There have always been defenders and opponents of migration. The MPC experts believe that the standpoint on migration is very important. If migration is considered a threat rather than an asset, there is a risk that European States will forego the benefits of immigration. This will undermine Europe’s recovery from the crisis. If, however, migration is seen as a dynamic and positive force, then its positive effects on society will prevail.
European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, present at the event, said: "Migration is an area that will define how Europe will evolve in the coming years. We have to set our policies based on facts and evidence, not on impressions and myths. Countering stereotypes on migration and recognising the contribution migrants bring to our societies demands strong political leadership. We have to act to counter xenophobic and racist influence on political agendas in EU countries. Europe cannot afford to ignore the benefits of immigration (...)"
The report is available online at: http://www.migrationpolicycentre.eu/migration-stereotypes/
Sources: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEX-14-0711_en.htm?utm_source=MPC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a7e6510498-migration_stereotypes_presented_7_21_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5739ea1f8b-a7e6510498-71081561;
http://www.migrationpolicycentre.eu/migration-stereotypes/?utm_source=MPC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a7e6510498-migration_stereotypes_presented_7_21_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5739ea1f8b-a7e6510498-71081561
The MPC experts examined eight migration stereotypes, the most common of which are: "we don't need migrants"; "migrants steal our jobs", or "economic migrants are trying to cheat our asylum systems". The assessment of these stereotypes in the light of empirical evidence helps better understand the importance of migration for compensating the effects of the European population’s ageing, particularly regarding the sustainability of welfare systems and the ageing of skills. Low-skilled migrants are also important for Europe’s economy, as they enable the employment of natives in highly-skilled occupations and at the same time they fill any vacancies resulting from labour market mobility.
Immigration has been a controversial topic in European politics for decades. There have always been defenders and opponents of migration. The MPC experts believe that the standpoint on migration is very important. If migration is considered a threat rather than an asset, there is a risk that European States will forego the benefits of immigration. This will undermine Europe’s recovery from the crisis. If, however, migration is seen as a dynamic and positive force, then its positive effects on society will prevail.
European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, present at the event, said: "Migration is an area that will define how Europe will evolve in the coming years. We have to set our policies based on facts and evidence, not on impressions and myths. Countering stereotypes on migration and recognising the contribution migrants bring to our societies demands strong political leadership. We have to act to counter xenophobic and racist influence on political agendas in EU countries. Europe cannot afford to ignore the benefits of immigration (...)"
The report is available online at: http://www.migrationpolicycentre.eu/migration-stereotypes/
Sources: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEX-14-0711_en.htm?utm_source=MPC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a7e6510498-migration_stereotypes_presented_7_21_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5739ea1f8b-a7e6510498-71081561;
http://www.migrationpolicycentre.eu/migration-stereotypes/?utm_source=MPC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a7e6510498-migration_stereotypes_presented_7_21_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5739ea1f8b-a7e6510498-71081561
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