Preliminary communication
Immigrants and the Receiving Society (Problems of Social Interaction)
Mirjana Oklobdžija
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The paper gives a systematic list of the problems of migrants, firstly in regard to their migration perspective, as well as in regard to the role which the migrants may have in solving these problems. Next, the main theories on interaction between different cultures are briefly described. In the following section emphasis is given to the analysis of the functions and forms of prejudice, and then to racism and xenophobia as the manifest forms of discrimination which determine all spheres of life of migrant and minority groups. Along with a description of the basic concepts, a series of examples is given, all of which illustrate the complexity, the various levels and the seriousness of the situation caused by these forms of discrimination. Later, the problem of social interactions connected to contacts between different cultures is placed within the context of planning European integration, especially in regard to the perspective of migrants within today's trends and strategies. In the last part of the paper, the author notes some actions which might result in positive contacts – in communication and co-operation on an equal footing. In this regard she mentions legislature, multiculturalism, changes in education and socialisation, cultural co-operation, the role of intellectuals, the self-organisation of citizens, the inter-linking of anti-racist movements on an international level, and the need for scientific research and harmonic (not only conflictive) examples of inter-group relations. Such a theoretic framework is useful for further research on any ethnic group in its specific situation.
Keywords
immigrants; receiving society; migration; social interactions
Hrčak ID:
127350
URI
Publication date:
31.12.1991.
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