EU Initiatives for Immigrant Integration and Global Cooperation

Social Policy for Immigrant Quality of Life

The integration and improved quality of life for immigrants are fostered through family reunification, access to employment, and equal rights. The EU has developed programs for integration into the labor market:

• Integra: A program focused on integration.
• Equal: Combats all forms of discrimination and inequality in the workplace, including those based on racial, ethnic, or religious grounds.
• Erasmus Mundus: A program for cooperation with third countries.

Development Cooperation & Migration Origin Regions

European Cooperation Initiatives

Europe has seen an increased immigrant population from these countries. Through the CARDS program, assistance is provided for reconstruction, development, and standardization of the situation. The TACIS program aims to support the transition to market economies and democratic societies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Maghreb Region Development

The MEDA II program envisages actions in environmental protection, development of Mediterranean companies, and operations of regional interest in transport and energy. The EU also seeks to promote networking through INTERREG.

Latin American Cooperation

The cooperation program provides support for research, energy, information society development, university collaboration, and general development. The URB-AL program specifically includes local development projects.

Combating Racism and Discrimination

Along with the three tracks above, the EU actively addresses the struggle against attitudes of rejection or discrimination based on race or ethnicity. The EU communication on racism and xenophobia defines the following as guiding principles for combating such attitudes:

• The fight against racism requires collaboration from all stakeholders.
• Emphasis on prevention.
• Cooperation with all stakeholders.

The Council of the EU declared 1997 as the European Year Against Racism. In 2000, the Action Program to Combat Discrimination was launched. This program provides for action against any direct or indirect discrimination other than that based on gender (as the Union has a specific program for gender equality). This program has three main objectives:

1. Improve understanding of discrimination issues: By promoting understanding of the phenomenon and evaluating the effectiveness of policies. A Eurobarometer has been created for this purpose.
2. Increase capacity to prevent and address discrimination effectively: Especially by strengthening the means of action for organizations and by supporting the exchange of information and best practices.
3. Promote and disseminate values and practices underlying the fight against discrimination: Including advocacy in public administration, the media, and the judiciary.