TiU professor Paul Scheffer on Al Jazeera
A Tilburg University professor contributed to a never-ending and controversial discussion on immigration in Europe. Paul Scheffer, a professor of European Studies, was one of the three guests in Al Jazeera broadcast about multiculturalism in Europe.
The debate is very much present in the Netherlands itself, since migration, multiculturalism and integration are hot topics especially in light of PVV anti-immigration policy. It seems that more European countries lean towards such an attitude. The discussion was sparked by recently announced plan of Sarkozy to decrease the number of new immigrants in France by half.
The three guests, Paul Scheffer, Jean-Philippe Chauzy and Ludovic De Danne were invited to express their opinions on the Inside Story. The Dutch professor seemed to be the most optimistic about the future of multicultural Europe. He expressed his belief that in the long run the immigrants settle down and integrate well into the host culture. Scheffer believes that in Europe there is a shift away from multiculturalism and stress on migrant’s cultural traditions towards a common understanding of citizenship. Scheffer says, that such common ground can be reached once the countries put their social welfare systems in order, especially because so many immigrants are unemployed. “I don’t see migrants taking away jobs; I see them not enough participating in our economic life,” says Scheffer.
He also countered the argument that with decreasing birth rate in Europe the culture of immigrants will take over European countries. Scheffer: “The children of the original immigrant have far fewer children than they parents did.”
Paul Scheffer is also and author of book about immigrant nations and a member of Dutch Labour party.
