Executive Summary

Social inclusion is a inarguably a foundation of the European Union. The Treaty of Rome, by
opening borders and encouraging the free movement of persons within those borders, created a
unit of nations grounded in a world-view that values diversity. Certainly market liberalization
was one of the key strategies of the founders of the European Union as it was seen that European
nations could gain more by being economically interdependent. This economic interdependence
created unprecedented growth in Europe that would in turn encourage the type of notion of a
promise land that was prevalent in America during the early part of the 20th Century and even
still today. This is to say that the European Union has made itself into an inevitable center of
migration both from within its borders and from without.

Today third-country nationals account for around 4% of the population of Europe. In some cases
these nationals are treated with respect and are able to insert themselves into their communities
through acquiring good jobs, joining community organizations, and enrolling in schools. Sadly,
this is not the case everywhere. Unemployment gaps between third-country nationals and
nationals are too large in many cities. Racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural discrimination remain
factors contributing to the social exclusion of many third-country nationals and in turn hinder
migrants from finding employment. School age children are many times segregated from
nationals thus increasing the likelihood that intolerance and discrimination will continue on into
future generations of Europeans. The problem of social exclusion of migrants merits attention
from the European Union.

Currently the European Union is doing little to alleviate social exclusion of migrants in the
Member States. Some countries and cities have special programs designed to aid in the
integration of migrants into their new societies, but many still do not. It is the DG EMPL's
intention to see the establishment of networks of best practice that allow the Member States and
the cities within them to confer on what programs work best for integrating migrants into their
communities. We also give policy recommendations that are drawn from some of the Member
States current practices in hopes of establishing a common threshold for the European Union as a
whole. Three policy solutions are outlined at the end of this assessment along with suggested
methods of funding.

It is the opinion of this DG that the benefits of better integrating migrants into their new
communities outweigh the minimal costs for establishing programs and practices that facilitate
integration. After all, the European Union's motto is 'unity in diversity'. Thus we view diversity
as a positive outcome of the joining of nations in Europe and work under this outlook. As social
exclusion and migration policies are handled in two separate Directorate Generals in the
Commission (DG EMPL and DG JLS/JHA/JAI respectively), we as the Directorate General for
Employment, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities have worked hand in hand with the
Directorate General for Justice, Freedom and Security in assessing the current migration
situation in Europe as well as in creating solutions to combat social exclusion.

Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities

Nikolaus Van Der Pas

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