Switzerland was not always been an immigration country. But for many years now migrants from Germany, France, Italy, the Balkans and North Africa have been shaping the economic, political and social landscape of this land-locked Alpine nation. How can Switzerland profit from migration? What needs to be done in Switzerland to ensure equal opportunities for foreigners in Swiss society?
Which roles do diaspora groups and secondos, i.e. second generation immigrants, play in this respect? Have naturalised Swiss citizens really completed the integration process or do they still fail to enjoy equal treatment? What are the long-term effects of the massive and rapid demographic change for Switzerland and can it be counteracted through migration? Will the debate on ‹foreign infiltration› continue?
As part of CULTURESCAPES Balkans 2013, experts, politicians and migrants will try to answer these and further questions on the future of the Swiss migration policy during an evening of discussion presented by the independent think-tank foraus - Forum Aussenpolitik.
Programme:
Welcome: Daniela Hobi, acting director foraus
Introduction: Goran Vulovic, musician aka Milchmaa
Discussion, guests:
Stefan Schlegel, migration project manager at foraus
Ivica Petrusic, co-founder Second@s Plus Switzerland
Yvette Estermann, member of parliament, SVP/Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Janine Dahinden, professor of transnational studies, University of Neuchâtel
Free entry
