Post baby-boom society future is rich on riddles and doubts. However, there is a certitude: new generations will find themselves choosing between a family desire and the needing of permanent work. They should give up family for a precarious job. We talked about it with Fred Pearce, author of "People earthquake. Mass Migration, Ageing Nations and the Coming population crash". In these days, everybody talks about the so-called baby boomers, since 2011 is the first year when a part of this generation will retire. Yet, the general feeling is that, although they reached the pensionable age, the power is still in their hands, especially in the Old Continent. Do not you think that this represents an actual element of conservation, a curb on the need to introduce important reforms and changes in the most part of the European countries? Yes, it could.  not all old people are conservative (!) but many are.  And they won’t want to give up their power and money to a younger generation. But they have to realise that there are not enough young people to support them and their pensions and lifestyles so well.  They have to work longer and contribute more. This is a big tension [...]

There is an element that the European new generations have in common: it is increasingly difficultto access labour market. Aside from the considerable national differences, it remains to be understood if the young Europeans are not able to access to employment or, instead, if the old workers block their entry. We talked about it with Gerard François Dumont, professor at La Sorbonne University in Paris and director of the review Population & Avenir; he has handled with intergenerational relationships and demography in Europe for many years and coined two famous neologisms as “hiver démographique” (demographic winter) and “gerontocroissance”(the increase of old people in a given population). In these days, everybody talks about the so-called baby boomers, since 2011 is the first year when a part of this generation will retire. Yet, the general feeling is that, although they reached the pensionable age, the power is still in their hands, especially in the Old Continent. Do not you think that this represents an actual element of conservation, a curb on the need to introduce important reforms and changes in the most part of the European countries? The generations of the postwar demographic renewal, those who were born between 1946 and 1975, today are [...]

On immigration, Italy wins the tug-of-war against Europe. After weeks of fast and loose, indeed, the Council of the European Union approved most of its requests, giving green light to three crucial matters: -The undertaking to guarantee technical and financial support to immigrants’ repatriation operations managed by Italian authorities; -The reorganization, by and no later than next June, of the European Agency for the Management of the External Borders (Frontex) which, thanks to additional funds compared to those allocated last 11 March, will widen and strengthen its own operational capacity. -The aid, not only in words but also in facts and money, to those countries of the Mediterranean area of the Union which are under pressure today.

The Roma issue is complex but it is not unsolvable. As the examples of two gypsy communities show, one in Macedonia, the other in Andalusia. It seems like another world compared to the rest of Europe where persecutions, ghettoisations, poverty and discriminations are the norm. Let us start with Macedonia. Or, indeed, “the Kingdom of Roma”, as the representatives of this controversial and heterogeneous population like to call the most hospitable “home” they have ever found in the Old Continent. In the Balkans, there have been gypsy communities since 1000 AD, but in Skopje and the vicinity they were able to integrate to such a degree that it became a model for the rest of Europe. What is the magical formula? The keystone was when the Roma gained official recognition as a constituent people of the Macedonian nation. The rest goes without saying: political representation, active participation to economic and social life. Ministers, mayors, entrepreneurs and successful students are Roma as well, not as belonging to a certain community but as citizens. In Skopje, Multiculturalism, written with a capital “m” (see Guido Bolaffi’s article in this journal) is tangible. Diversity has not resulted in a marked separation within society in watertight [...]

A supranational immigration policy is the only way out from the dead end most host countries are in today. Catherine Wihtol de Wenden – director of the Centre d’Études et de Recherches Internationales (CERI), Science-Po Paris, unanimously considered as one of the most prominent immigration experts worldwide – has no doubts: the State is not the only player in the international chessboard anymore, since the multiple challenges arising from globalization need solutions beyond the national borders. De Wenden has developed this theory in numerous books such as his latest publication “Les questions migratoire au XXI siècle”, SciencePo Les Presses. In this interview, she expresses her own opinion on the Italian flows decree and provides a general picture of immigration policies in Italy. To talk about migration policies in Italy is almost an euphemism. Since most part of the legal immigrants who reside in Italy are ex-illegal immigrants who benefited from regularization. In your opinion, what should it be done in practical terms to handle this situation? The Italian situation is not alone in Europe. In Spain, Greece and Portugal, most of the foreigners are former illegal immigrants. But this does not mean that there is no migration policy in those countries because [...]

The debate initiated by Guido Bolaffi on the flows decree and, more generally, on the Italian migration policies continues on West with this interview with Professor Francesco Daveri. He is professor of Economics at the University of Parma and teaches Macroeconomics in the MBA Program of Bocconi University in Milan. He recently published the book “Stranieri in casa nostra” (“foreigners in our own home”), issued by UBE publisher, providing a comprehensive picture of the Italian migration phenomenon in the 21st century. 1) To talk about migration policies in Italy is almost an euphemism. Since most part of the legal immigrants who reside in Italy are ex-illegal immigrants who benefited from regularisation. In your opinion, what should it be done in practical terms to handle this situation? Migration policies are inevitably “incomplete” measures, solving some problems, but not all of them. Especially in a country like Italy which is, on the one hand, densely populated and, on the other hand, very close to many countries with a high emigration potential. But it is not possible to abandon the attempt to rule, or at least direct, the immigration phenomenon. Therefore, although the system of annual quotas is lacking, as Guido Bolaffi effectively described [...]

While the “click days” for employers to make internet applications to legally hire migrant workers –as provided by the Italian immigration flows decree -  are running out, people is wondering whether it is time for the Italian immigration policy to turn over a new leaf, as Father Mario Toffari, Director of the Pastorate for migrants of the Diocese of Brescia, asserts. 1) Last year you were a privileged witness of the protest staged by a group of illegal immigrants against the regularization of home helpers and carers. Is there a link between those events and the concerns raised by the Church, or at least by a part of it, towards migration policies in Italy? I am referring, for instance, to the speech of the Director of Caritas in Venice, Msgr Dino Pistolato. I do not think so. The problem is not this or that protest, which does not receive the favour of Italian citizens. The problem is more general. It is necessary that those who come to Italy can  have a certain and decent future. That also means that the countries have the duty and the right to regulate immigration. 2)      To talk about migration policies in Italy is almost an euphemism. [...]

From the current debate on Roma people we can only draw one conclusion. The “Roma question” is neither an invention nor a sudden storm that hit the Old Continent. It is simply an actual problem in many European states. Thanks to the storm kicked up by Nicolas Sarkozy, we are all aware that neither the hypocrisy of self-righteous people nor the populism of the currently in office politicians can provide a solution. Therefore, on this issue the enigma is still unsolved: are we not doing enough or is the blame to be put on Roma because they refuse to integrate? Surely financial resources are not lacking. Between 2007 and 2013 more than € 13 billions will be spent through the European Social Fund and the Fund for the integration of Roma and of those minorities labelled as vulnerable. Without considering the fact that Romania for instance, within 2013 will receive € 30 billions from the European Commission for the integration of nomadic populations and other minorities. It is evident that the system is dysfunctional. The truth is that the money flow at disposal of the European institutions follows paths that are often changing and obscure and does not [...]

The introduction of the Italian language test for immigrants is not only reasonable but also useful. Let’s start from the Decree of 4 June 2010 of the Italian government. From today, immigrants residing in Italy for at least five years with a residence permit who apply, for themselves or their families, for the EC permit for long-term residents, are required to pass an Italian language test. Is not it reasonable, for those who decided to make such a binding and long-term life choice in Italy, to prove even a basic knowledge of Italian? Also taking account that there are important exceptions. Indeed, according to the decree, the categories that are exempt from the test are: minors under 14 years of age and people suffering from severe limitations to language learning due to age, illnesses or handicaps. In addition, immigrants who have an Italian language certificate are not required to take the test, as well as those who obtained a secondary school diploma, are enrolled at the university, or are attending a master's degree or a doctorate program in Italy. Not to mention that those who will not pass the exam have the right to try again. Why do we think that this regulation [...]

With his book  “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” Meindert Fennema has join the media spotlight as a biographer of the controversial Dutch Party for Freedom leader Geert Wilders. Director of the Institute of migration and ethnic studies at Amsterdam University and member of the Dutch Green party, Mr. Fennema offers to our readers a clear and outsider reading of the Wilders phenomenon and more generally on the controversial relationship between welfare and immigration in Europe. 1) In your bestseller “The sorcerer’s Apprentice” you have criticized the Dutch political establishment for having underestimated the real problems raised by Geert Wilders party. You pointed out that as much migrants integration as welfare system sustainability represent nowadays a problem for a great part of European states. How might it be possible, than, to come to an agreement between welfare and immigration in next future? This is a very difficult problem because it is obvious that welfare systems require a fairly well defined economic, moral and political community that has strict rules about entry and exit. Whit more open borders the welfare system should also be more flexible. 2) The welfare system still represents a subject around which the politic dichotomy right-left is organized? And, if not, which are [...]