The conceptual framework of the INTERACT project

Abstract

The research on migrants’ integration to the date has examined in detail individual and group processes of integration on one hand, and the actions of the countries of destination and their societies in this regard on the other. One aspect missing from the analyses has been the role of the countries and communities of origin in integration processes at the destination. The INTERACT project defines integration as a three-way, a three-scale, and a multidimensional process. Building on existing research, we investigate the impact of origin countries on the integration of migrants in the country of destination looking at policies, actors and actions at both ends of migration. The present paper is an introduction laying down the conceptual framework of the project. First, we examine overall approaches to integration in literature; then we present existing research in nine areas of integration (i.e. labor market outcome, education, political participation, civic participation, social interactions, access to nationality, language, religion, and residential integration) based on the nine deeper analysis (INTERACT position papers); finally, we identify the gaps in research that INTERACT primary research can cover.