Migrants in Europe as Development Actors Between hope and vulnerability

This European Social Watch report focuses on the role of Europe in the world. Europe is an important global actor. Decisions taken in Europe impact on people all over the world.
Europe is the main provider of aid to developing countries and poverty eradication is one of the explicit goals of EU policies.

For Social Watch, Europe’s commitment to social values, and the system of social protection that has been established across the continent is equally important. For people living in Europe these values underpin the fight against poverty. For the rest of us they provide a model towards which to aspire.

This report’s focus on migration is very apt. Migration is a human interface between countries, continents and civilisations.

Millions of Europeans migrated out in the last two centuries. And DNA tests have proven, in turn, that modern Europeans are the result of continuous waves of migration. In the past migration used to be a one way movement. Now many migrants stay just a short time. They build a bridge between Europe and other parts of the world and they contribute to both.

The attraction that Europe exerts should be considered an asset, not a liability. It means that Europe has something to offer to the world. Yet, the way that Europe relates and treats migrants is crucially important as an indicator of its relations with the rest of the world. Immigration is an opportunity for Europe to demonstrate its commitment to Human Rights and development. After all, Europe’s prosperity is largely built upon movements of people.

Migration was chosen as the theme of the first European Social Watch report in recognition of its major internal and external implications for Europe. The initiative to produce a European Social Watch report was born out of the desire to strengthen a common European identity for the many Social Watch coalitions in European countries, while addressing an issue of global consequences.