Many countries today face the twin challenges of managing migration and promoting integration. A combination of demographic, social, cultural, political and economic factors have brought these inter-linked issues to the forefront. In Europe, nation states have not traditionally incorporated a notion of themselves as countries of immigration, but demographic change inevitably means that migration will play an increasingly important role in Europe's future. Yet public opinion remains deeply divided on how to deal with it. Moreover, debates about these issues are intensified by post-9/11 and post-Madrid concerns regarding security.

One lesson from the history of migrations is that whether they begin as temporary or seasonal, legal or illegal, family or individual, economic or humanitarian, most migrant communities tend over time to become relatively permanent settlements. The issues involved in the integration of migrants and their children extend beyond access to - and success in - the labour market, or the provision of language training. Neither are they solely about cultural adaptations by both migrants themselves and by settled communities, central as these are. They are also about the multi-layered adjustments all individuals and collectivities engage in or resist, as they meet in the globalised spaces of today's cities, nations and regions. The various terms used to explain the processes implied - assimilation, integration, incorporation, social cohesion - in themselves express the tensions which criss-cross this area of public debate.

Six principal linked questions arise:

• What type of unity or cohesion is required in democratic societies?
• Are we witnessing the end of multiculturalism and the return of the 'melting pot'?
• How can long-term integration of new migrants be achieved?
• How do different approaches to integration require change from the state and from different groups in a society?
• How can the sometimes alienated condition of minority ethnic groups already present as a result of previous immigrations be addressed?
• What are the challenges for native majorities in adjusting to new forms of integration?

This seminar will be an opportunity to review:

• the philosophies and practices of European countries which have been long-term poles of attraction for migrant populations
• the experiences of other European countries which have come to address these challenges in the recent past  
• the lessons to be learned from other states which have historically received significant numbers of immigrants (for example, Canada, the USA , Australia)
• the lessons to be learned from other countries currently experiencing significant immigrations (South Africa or Ukraine, for example).

who should attend this event
The seminar is intended to attract people who can help bring about change at local, national or regional level. These include practitioners, policy officials and influencers, academics, media representatives, members of NGOs and representatives of migrant communities.