Expert survey report

Abstract

The INTERACT project interviewed 24 migration and integration experts across 19 countries in order to better understand the effects of current diaspora and integration policies. It further sought to determine possible pitfalls, ways forward, and areas of cooperation between countries of origin and destination. Synthesising the results of this survey, the paper argues that the task of integration is to encourage: migrant participation in all areas of society; migrant productivity within the economic sphere; and migrant parity with native citizens. To be successful, efforts must take place across many levels of governance and in a variety of sectors, especially education and labour markets. Both diaspora and integration policies must furthermore put migrants first: strategies that prioritise the perceived needs of countries or destination or origin are unlikely to work. Finally, the onus of integration cannot solely rest on the migrants themselves. Countries of origin must do more to meet migrants halfway by combatting discrimination within their societies and policies.