Univ of Helsinki: Multiculturalism on both sides of the Atlantic

[pampango]

http://www.helsinki.fi/news/archive/4-2011/27-16-28-27.html

According to Banting, Canadian and European approaches to immigrant integration are moving together in some cases, and moving apart in others.

– Contemporary debates in Europe emphasize the "civic integration" of immigrants, and in many cases this is presented as a rejection of multiculturalism. However the Canadian approach to integration has always combined strong multiculturalism policies with strong civic integration, demonstrating that the two can be compatible.

The key to combining the two approaches is, according to Banting, the model of civic integration which is adopted.

– Some countries in Europe are adopting a more liberal approach, which is fully compatible with multiculturalism and resembles the Canadian model. But other countries, such as the Netherlands, are adopting a more illiberal, coercive approach to civic integration, which is inconsistent with multiculturalism.

The European approach is in flux politically, with each new national election altering the debate.

– It will be fascinating to see whether the liberal or the illiberal version of integration will dominate the continent. I hope that the seminar will launch RECODE as an exciting conversation that will last several years, Banting sums up.

Canada's commitment to multiculturalism is enshrined in their constitution. It will be interesting to see how far each European country goes with "more illiberal, coercive approaches to civic integration" in response to the rise of far-right anti-immigrant parties.