Staffan Nilsson`s remarks at the conference on Immigration – a source of wealth and duties for Europe

Europe is facing an unprecedented crisis with heavy economic and social consequences. With them has come a tendency for people to retreat into the shelter of familiar identities, a rise in extremism, nationalism and the development of xenophobic, or racist, speech.

Respect for fundamental rights, which is the foundation stone of the European model and construction, must be forcefully demanded and Europe must remain an exemplary continent, particularly in these times.

In this context, the EESC, the Council of Europe and the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council, have decided to continue their cooperation, started one year ago on the European Charter of Social Rights, by holding a conference to discuss migration's role in and contribution to the development and growth of our societies, in order to mobilise all stakeholders against the development of prejudices and the tendency for communities to turn inwards.

5 minutes to convince

It should be so easy to counter the narrative of racism. You just have to make people meet, talk, have an exchange. I could stop here, but I will go a bit more in detail. I will show you that civil society organisations have a crucial role to play in this process.

Indeed, the progress made in EU integration and anti-discrimination legislation and financing are very important. But I remain convinced that it is primarily within organised civil society that concrete results can be achieved. That is where people meet.

To fight racism and xenophobia, integration is the key. And we see integration as a two-way societal process. It is founded on the rights and obligations of third-country nationals and of the host society, enabling immigrants to fully participate in it. Integration also means encouraging intercultural dialogue and understanding, access to the labour market and social dialogue: all fields in which legislation is very important but not enough. Because it is in everyday life where the change happens. And civil society, which the Committee represents at EU level, has a vital role to play. Let's get concrete by looking at some key areas of integration:

  • On the labour market, the social partners should strive to eliminate any direct or indirect form of discrimination from collective agreements and labour standards and practices. Immigrants must also have access to training under the same conditions as nationals. Moreover, trade unions and employers organisations must welcome migrant workers and employers into their ranks and help them to attain representative and management positions.
  • In the educational system, teachers' trade unions and professional associations, employers and "social initiative" groups must take responsibility for promoting equal opportunities for all children within the educational system, regardless of origin, ethnicity, religion, language or culture. Parents' associations can help integrate the children of immigrants and ensure they are treated equally in schools.
  • Immigrant associations of widely differing types are of great significance to individuals' social identity and they facilitate their social integration.
  • The public authorities and civil society organisations should forge cooperative links with immigrant associations, because they play an important role in social mediation and in transmitting information to immigrants.
  • The objectives of immigrant associations should include the social integration of their members and the establishment of cooperation networks.

Last, but definitely not least, human and civil rights organisations are highly experienced in the struggle for social equality and civil rights. And considering recent developments across Europe, this struggle is necessary.

Anti-racist organisations are particularly important. They perform an important task in denouncing violations of human rights, providing information and mobilising society. Their preventive work should be highlighted.

Representative associations working in this field must be consulted by the public authorities when integration policies are being framed, and they must be involved in the ensuing programmes.

The EESC has already contributed substantially in this area through quality consultative documents and numerous meetings on integration and diversity. Social inclusion, citizens' rights and solidarity have always been at the heart of the Committee's work. Rights and solidarity as a joint project involving reciprocity and active sharing have been central to my presidency's priorities. Because without them, we simply cannot build a sustainable society.

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Staffan Nilsson`s remarks at the conference on Immigration – a source of wealth and duties for Europe