Integrating Migrants: Macro, Meso and Micro Perspective

Migration is an increasing challenge faced by countries, institutions and individuals both for sending and host countries. The integration of migrants is a multidimensional issue, including several areas, for example, social, cultural, economic, legal and politics. These dimensions can strengthen each other in equal areas, but the economic and social dimensions seem to be the most important regarding immigrant inclusion in the society of the country of settlement. In a macro perspective, there have been few national models of integrating migrants which are culturally and historically specific in various European countries, but the current approach is focussing on interculturalism. Considering migrant integration in a meso perspective, one may point to the growing importance of multilevel governance engaging many actors in this process (e.g., municipalities, cities, nongovernmental organizations, SMEs, corporations, churches, etc.), which are partners for national-level policymakers. The individual effort for successful integration of migrants depends on the host country nationals' attitude, openness and tolerance as well as on incoming foreigners.