Algumas perspectivas sobre imigração: da imigração económica à integração social

Abstract

The European Union had to establish laws about the migration phenomenon which has been felt in Europe since the last decade of the 20th century. This phenomenon took place not only because of the immigrants’ survival need, but also because of the European need for workmen, due to economic and demographic reasons. Thus, we face a communitary political orientation about the immigration in Tampere (October 1999) which has been developed and deepened since then; its complementarity with other common politics in the European Union is also to be achieved. In this sense, it is fundamental to think about the means of social intervention in the field of immigration social intervenients, not only the immigrants themselves, but also those of the sheltering society, particularly in the important issues that social-cultural integration raises. Thus, we present some of the leading principles to build a peace culture, taking into account the importance that intercultural mediation may have, among other variables, in the struggle against social exclusion processes. Finally, we refer some basic characteristics of intercultural mediation, enhancing its limitations and possibilities.