Dita Vogel Bücher

Bedeutet Zuwanderung eine Be- oder Entlastung für öffentliche Haushalte? Unter welchen Umständen ist das eine oder das andere wahrscheinlicher, und welche Rolle spielt das soziale Sicherungssystem dabei? Dies sind Fragen, die auch in Deutschland in Wissenschaft und Politik zunehmend diskutiert werden. Eine Reihe empirischer Arbeiten hat Antworten auf diese Fragen gesucht. In dieser Untersuchung wird vor dem Hintergrund der deutschen Zuwanderungssituation und -forschung systematisch aufgezeigt, wie häufig verwendete Maßstäbe und Indikatoren miteinander zusammenhängen und welche Annahmen gelten müssen, damit sie Antworten auf die oben gestellten Fragen liefern. Dadurch werden Grundlagen zum besseren Verständnis empirischer Arbeiten zu diesem Thema geschaffen und zugleich Wege zur Gestaltung künftiger Arbeiten aufgezeigt.

This book shares the stories and reflections of 40 foreign-born activists in different European states. The immigrants vividly report on their paths into active participation in the societies in which they live. They reflect on their own role as links and mediators between different groups, as role models and door openers for newcomers and young second-generation immigrants, and as admonishers and advocates. The stories encompass unique experiences of special persons, but they also illustrate general challenges for the integration of immigrants in Europe. All those who are interested in migration and integration issues should find the book interesting and inspiring reading. In addition, adult educators may find real-life examples for their workshops and courses. Careful introductions and complementary information-boxes support this purpose.

Highly active citizens assume responsibility in politics and the civil society; for example, by organising social groups and activities, and lobbying on government policies. Although first-generation immigrant activists are a small minority in European societies, they are of critical importance for the receiving societies' democratic development. The POLITIS project conducted the first study that focused exclusively on this crucial group. This book both provides an overview of theoretical discussions and empirical conditions that frame immigrants' activities and presents the major results of the study based on extensive interviews with more than 170 immigrants active in 24 EU member states. The book's final section offers careful reflections on the study's results and considers implications for social scientists, policy makers, and activists in NGOs and immigrant organisations.