INTEGRATION
It has been demonstrated by various studies that the influx of refugees and migrates entails a lot of direct and indirect benefits in the host countries, both for the local community and for the migrants. In order to take advantage and maximize these benefits, the social forces and the circumstantial factors that come into play need to be wisely and efficiently channeled.
Receiving migrants and refugees represents a cost in infrastructures and social services, that is true, but there are studies that indicate that the economical and fiscal benefits are greater, and compensate in the long term. There are also studies that indicate that countries with more restrictive policies and longer reception periods end up assuming a higher cost per migrant than those that accelerate their integration in the labor market and the socio-cultural circles.
From social, economic, historical and ethic perspectives, integration makes absolute sense, this is why we need to address the challenge of establishing a convenient, efficient and rational migrate and refugee reception model in order to make the most of this historical juncture and respond with solvency to the immediate needs that the phenomenon of refugees from Syria and other countries pose.
Language is without a doubt the most powerful and the most essential tool for the full integration of a refugee in the host country. Not only because it determines their ability to function daily in the society in a useful way, but also because it transmits the way to understand the world in their new environment.
The first and most important obstacle that migrates or refugees face in the host country is the language barrier. Their academic preparation, work experience or even their good will is of little importance if they are not capable of overcoming this barrier with a minimum level of competence. Not being able to access quality jobs or minimum basic services, would condemned them to marginalization.
Faced with the radicalization of opposite views and conflicts that emanate, the most reasonable solution would be to search for similarities in the way of understanding life and build a common position based on these similarities. That would be the only way to remedy in a conclusive manner the social conflict that lies behind immigration. These are the means, not force, to pursue and encourage.
This can only be achieved establishing a full integration model, because only through a strong sense of belonging to the community can one abandon the external prejudice. A double assimilation needs to take place, the individual needs to assimilate the traditions of the new environment and the new environment needs to assimilate the individual as any other productive member of society.
This is the only way to leave behind the mutual mistrust and resentment between natives and migrants which is the latent reason for conflicts and tragedies. We must be fully conscious of that and direct our efforts in that direction.