Transatlantic Dialogue on Integration of Immigrant Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Young immigrants will significantly influence the course of European and North American societies in coming decades. Demographic studies on either side of the Atlantic reveal growing populations of foreign-born children and young second-generation immigrants. In the United States children of immigrants make up 20 per cent of all youth. In Europe the second generation of Turkish immigrants alone totals 4 million. The integration of these young newcomers merits the attention of national governments not only because they number so many and will represent a large sector of society for such a long period but also because they are highly impressionable. Just as a positive experience early in life can increase the likelihood that they will become effective citizens in adulthood exclusion can lead to feelings of resentment and anger. International migration scholars and professionals gathered for two days in May 2004 to discuss the most promising policies to help young immigrants make the complicated transition to their new homelands. Experts from England Germany Italy France the Netherlands Poland Sweden Slovenia Canada and the United States explored the nature of some of the greatest challenges the responsibilities of national governments to help young immigrants overcome them and the best policies for doing so. (excerpt)