First topic

I would like to hear your thoughts on the migrant/refugee situation in Europe at the moment.

Your feelings, solutions, consequences (national, international, cultural, economic etc..).

Start writing.

I think that Europe has a duty to host these refugees fleeing war because we can be in the same situation in the future. However it is very difficult to allocate refugees between countries and to find the financial resources necessary for their survival in Europe. This requires investment in every country.
I don't know the solution to this problem. But one thing is clear, European countries must help them to restore order in their countries so that they can live correctly without fear of dying every day.
This influx of migrants will probably have consequences for future generations if they stay several years. The cultures will mix and this may contribute to a more large open-mindedness of Europeans.

It's not such a simple question about "receive" or "not receive", I'm not a European but we must consider some more aspect such as how to settle them down; The difference between regional economic development and social stability. according to experience historic, large-scale population migration will lead to many social problem, social security,integration of culture. Europe is not like USA, it a immigrant country，we must admit that Europe; Africa; as two different part we own so many difference from so many angle. Receiving refugees is just a method to help them but definitely not solve fundamental problems. Otherwise I think the US government should take their responsibility cause they declaim that they would just offer some economic assistances and experiences. there's already 4 millions of refugees in Syria. They should pay for European refugees but not just look European trouble with indiference.

The current waves of migration in Europe are changing the traditional schema of migration. Thus, I think the problem to be around the right to live safe and in security. Migrants are leaving their country because of the war and of the numerous threatens, so Europe has to welcome them according to the defence of human rights. However, the situation of refugees in France for instance shows the difficulties met by the country to offer decent conditions of living. Indeed, it is very hard to find place, food, clothes, money and cares in a situation of emergency like that. On the other hand, migrants could bring a lot of things into European country, new culture, new ways of life and others. It is not so easy to find the solution, because in my opinion there are two steps, welcoming refugees in decent conditions of living and restoring the peace and a decent way of life in their native country. Besides, a global intervention could help the situation to be easier for migrants (more countries to welcome them means better conditions of living for them).

The current refugee situation in Europe is a task the European Union has to face together, not every country on it's own. However, since every country has it's own opinion on the subject, it is very difficult to find a solution that suits everybody. In my opinion, if a country wants to take part in the European Union, it cannot only enjoy all the advantages, it also has to participate in finding a suitable solution for everybody.

In the German media the subject of refugees is massively covered, with the current situation being the main news everyday for several weeks, even months now. But sadly, this also leads to a lot of frustration against the wrong people. Alliances are built to "protect the German culture" and idiotic stuff like that, but the politicians are partly acting on their behalf. One can only hope that the majority of people will influence politics more than some idiots waving around a German flag.

If you ask me, we have enough resources to help incoming refugees and we do not have to be afraid of the consequences. Those people need help - and the EU can offer it to them.
So instead of closing borders, we should welcome them and try to integrate them into our societies as well as possible.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, it's always difficult to start a topic off. It seems SCEco students are all nice and want to help everybody. Is it the same answers for economic migrants as for refugees (for example the Calais migrants wanting to get to England).

As for Germany I read that they have a dwindling population and want/need migrants to boost their economy whereas most other countries still have growing populations.

What about Hungary/Croatia/Greece/Slovakian ... arguments that the refugees do not want to stay in their countries but want to go to Germany/England/France? Does that change them from Refugees to Migrants?

In England some people are questioning why it is predominantly young single men who are trying to get into the country - probably the demographic best suited to staying at/nearer their country of birth.

Just a few points to help others vary the discussion and not just repeat what the first few, brave students have stated.

As a first topic, I don't think it's the easiest thing to talk about ! Anyway, instead of repeating what the others said, I'm going to comment on your few points you just mentioned.

First, you've talked about economic migrants in Calais. In my opinion, we can't blame us for trying to get into England. All they want is to get a better life ! Who wouldn't ? However, does England have the capacity to host all migrants ? That's another question but as England is a much more liberal country than France, I reckon that perhaps it would be easier to fit in out there, especially as most migrants speak english. Yet, I can't say if it would be a good idea to let them get into England because this problem is so complicated that I don't think I am skilled enough to have an overview of the situation.

As regards Germany, if they agree to accept refugees to boost their economy, so much the better ! If they can help each other, we couldn't have asked for better.

Some countries say that the refugees don't want to stay in their countries but want to go to Greamny or England or France. The first thing we have to wonder is "why do they want to get into "our" countries instead of the others ?" The answer is simple ! They just want a shelter and a job to begin a new and better life, and they think France/England/Germany are more likely to give them what they want. They look for the best, which is perfectly normal.

Some people are questioning why it is predominantly young single men who are trying to get into Europe. MAYBE men can leave their country easilier because they are "freer" to do what they want, especially if they are single. If they are predominantly young, maybe it's because they have nothing to lose, they didn't begin their "own" life yet and they have no ties in their country of birth (wife, children ...).
All I'm saying is pure speculation. Maybe I'm completely wrong but honestly, I don't think it's the most important problem and I really don't care if they're young, old, single, married, black, white, muslim, christian ...

No matter who they are, I'm pretty sure if they manage to fit in, nothing dramatic could happen.

First of all, I think a situation very difficult right now.
In my opinion, migrants are fleeing their native country (Iraq and Syria )because of jihadism, misery and wars passing by transition countries like Hungary,Croatia,Greece,Slovakian to achieve others country with more attractive economic and social system like Germany, England ...
I think that the European countries have to manage this situation together, welcoming migrants is our duty as human beings.
Everyone was shocked at the photo of the little child who has been drowned on Turkish beach.
We must prevent this.

European countries must share themselves the welcome of migrants ,if not, the only friendly countries will be quickly overwhelmed and there 'will have serious economic consequences although their opinion is different about it.
However, all European countries haven't the capacity to accommodate a large number of mignrant. They must have places to accomodate their ,health systems and the opportunity to offer them a job.
I think if it is to install them in slums, it's as if we left them at the border !
Finally, the utopian solution is to resolve together the problem of jihadisme in Iraq and Syria and wars so that these people can live in peace in their native country.
Here is my opinion about the subject.

What about middle Eastern Countries, should they be taking more of these refugees?

First of all, i think that as a country that proclaims the equality of the human rights, welcoming the refugees in France is a question of honour. About the European Union itself, for me it is an utopia to think that all of the countries can work together to fix this problem because none of them have the same financial capacities and the same incentives to welcome them, which is regrettable.

For exemple, Germany appears like a role model within Europe but in fact the country mostly welcomes refugees because of its population decline (aging population) so all those refugees, wherever they come from represent a future workforce for the country, which was the same case with Turkish people.

Moreover, i think that a lot of divides are due to the difference between refugees and migrants because some politicians are ready to welcome people who flee the war (Middle East countries) before welcoming people who want to find a better life, which is understandable because those movements of people have been massive so countries and towns are struggling to find the financial requirements to welcome both refugees and migrants, especially the small towns that cannot offer enough infrastructures without the help of governments…

At the end of the day, i think that without a true agreement between european countries the situation will not progress

I think that the refugee situation is unacceptable, yet I do nothing and I think this is the opinion of many people ..
Of course it is hard for an ordinary person to have an impact on a phenomenon of such great magnitude ... Well that's what one is said to have good conscience and usually after this short reflection we think of other things Our small personal problems such ...
But if we push a little further reflection, what are the solutions? At the state level must be stopped doctrine Daesh and all those who provoke the departure of migrants from their homeland. More than that must be fought on the eastern lands these jihadist soldiers who destroy the image of Islam to which he may say they are fighting. Unfortunately the past taught us that we often end up in inefficient war face this kind of opponent who hides (See Iraq / Afghanistan). So in the meantime, should we chase the migrants? I do not think we should even helped created huge well-appointed centers where families could stay together until the situation calms down in their country of origin. And in parallel we must stop the massacres that are in Syria.
For the financing of the centers if all Europeans would agree to participate do it with a little bit of money while their construction is possible. Personally I feel ready to give

About middle Eastern Countries, I don't understand why they are so opposed to welcome these refugees. We know they are poorer than us, they have got others problems. However, by joining the European Union, the richest countries such as Germany, France, England (...) helped them. It's one of the concepts of the European Union. We have to help each other ! We musn't only think of our own interests. That's their duties to help the refugees, they can't only take advantage of the European Union, they have to accept the "drawbacks" and stop complaining.

I think it's more a case that the refugees/migrants don't want to stay there.

They want to pass through to Germany.

Like all those migrants at Calais who don't want to stay in France.

In my first message, I said what I thought about that case. It's not really a question of "country". If they want to go to England or Germany, it's because they think they could have a better life out there. They think (and it may be true) it's easier to get a shelter and a job in those countries, either because of the lack of labour in Germany or because England tend to offer more odd jobs.
In my opinion, if refugees/migrants set up in middle Eastern countries AND they manage to fit in (getting a job and a shelter), I don't think they would dare to give up what they got for an uncertain future. That's the problem, will we do everything to help them fit in or will we leave them alone ? If some countries pick the second option, we can be worried they try to move on. Obviously, to be sure they stay in the country where they are, we have to offer them a decent life. Otherwise, they'll go in search of what is the best for them.

I think that migration is a phenomen which people scares. In Slovakia, there isn't a lot of immigrants/refugees, because our economy is not as efficient as in other european countries. So refugees/immigrants run to more developed countries we can mention Germany, France or UK.
I know that situation in african states is bad because of political situation, lack of water, often without a possibility of study, children work for 1 euro/day. This situation is bad, but there are organizations NATO, OSN and these should help refugees.
My opinion is that refugees need help for find works, home, safety, calm, so for new beginning. Not everybody has a possibility to leave the country, but they should try to hepl people. But I don't think, that the acceptance of asylum seekers is an ideal solution. There are many differences between our cultures and religions. The acceptance may cause problems across the european countries.

Owing to the chaos caused by the war, we can say to a certain extent that whether refugees or economic migrants, they are in the same hard situation without security assurance. However, European countries impose restrictions on the number of reception along with the escalation of refugees, judging from this, those who has higher education, special skills or in brief those who are supposed to be helpful for the destined country are easier to be accepted.

With regard to the situation of Middle Eastern countries, in fact, most refugees are willing to get into their neighbors for the first choice, so the quantity of acceptation is concerned to be saturated at present in Middle Eastern countries. For example, the ratio of refugees to citizens in Lebanon is 1:4. Therefore, I don’t think they could take more refugees.

But now, there are so many refugees want to go to Germany for better living and working conditions. Not only can we see mutual benefits but also some problems we can’t prevent like discrimination and rebellions in the society.

What I think is to allocate the refugees to different countries in Europe according to every country’s strength and capability in acceptation. Like countries in north Europe who are in a better economic situation could take more refugees. Besides, we should think over the opportunity to find a job in those countries. Like labor force may be demanded in Germany but not in England, this is determined by their economic structures.

Well, that’s my opinion based on what I read.It's not easy to solve this problem,we still have more details to take into account …

Wei, why do you think they should be allocated to European countries?

Why not USA or China or Saudi Arabia etc...?

After I read the news which talked about the situation of Germany before and after the reception of refugee, I think that the guarantee of security for the natives is also a very important question for those countries decided to receive the refugees. It's hard to find out the right answer: whether to receive the refugee or not. I would like to say it's not a simple question of 'how strong a country is' but the question for all the people who are involve.(the refugees and the natives).

Hi everybody,

The situation is really complicated, They tried to escape their own countries because of the war, they often came from Syria, Afghanistan,or Nigeria and Irak and they have to pay a " ferryman" someone who helps them to cross different country but they don't have enough money to go to USA or Autralia or somewhere which look like "better" than Europe. They've heard about here that's everything it's beautiful , good food, best wine , and before all peace.

Nowadays, more and more people are afraid of the refugees, because " they will steal our job" but it can be a good thing to accept refugees in fact we don't have to forget that economic potential growth are the sum of two things, the first one is the gain of productivity and the second one is the progression of active population ( labor force).

However this two variables have to be improve: The gain of productivity could be improve due to structural reforms (functioning of the labor market/improving the setting up and of the qualification of labour force)
The progression of labor could coule be improve by population policy or the arrival of migrants(refugees in this case).

So, the wave of refugees could have a positif impact on the economic health of our countries (it was the case in Spain few years ago before the crise) if politicians are concerned about the economic situation.

Ps:Leicester 2 Arsenal 5 What a good week-end !

It is nice to be a philanthropist. Inhabitants of affected countries definitely need a help, but acceptation of quotas is not a proper solution. It is sad, that there are just a few people who really see and understand  what are the potential consequences.
The acceptation of refugees  will not change a political system in the African countries, so it is not the solution. European union can accept refugees (at the expense of Europeans), but conditions in African countries will remain the same. In addition Europe does not have an enough capacities to accept all refugees.
Another reason to not accept them  is an enormous difference between our cultures, religions and habits.
It probably sounds selfish, but it is a fact. A way we were brought up and leaded  is different and this decision can truly cause a lost of identity ( national as well as identity of individuals).
I am proud to be a Slovak, although our country is not as developed  and open - minded as Germany, France or UK, but at least we still keep heritage our ancestors gave us.
This is my opinion. The best decision and help that can be provided is a change of system. It is well-known, that Europe with a cooperation of the United States has a potential strength to cope with this problem. Recently we have seen the power USA has. It is a pity, that political freedom of these countries is not in their interest.
The phenomenon of immigration  is just one big “cover up action” of what is really going on...

Wow ... The aim, for the moment, is not to change the political system in African countries ! You're saying that the United States and Europe may cope with this problem. They've already tried ! The situation in Iraq or Libya didn't get better at all. If they hesitate over acting in the field, that's because the situation can even get worse. It's much tougher than we can think.
Moreover, we're not talking about dictatorship or changing the political system, we're talking about accepting men, women and children who are trying to save their life ! It sounds a little bit crazy to say to a refugee "By accepting you, it won't change your problem in your country, so get back where you come from and no matter what happens to you".

About enormous differences between our cultures, religions, we can't deny we are different, personally, I don't care but I can understand some people are afraid of losing their national identity. That's why we have to focus on how we have to divide them up, in order to help them fit in. Obviously, they must not stay all together in order to intermingle with native populations.

Even if I was wrong, I don't see how 1 502 refugees could change culture and religion of your country (the European Union have decided that Slovakia had to accept 1 502 refugees). It's about 3 refugees for 10 000 slovaks ... Seriously, let's not be paranoiac, Slovakia won't change because of a few refugees.

Let's talk about "heritage" ... we're NOT at war, refugees are not our enemies and it's not because we accept them that we'll lose everything. Let's not be as caricatural ...
Personally, I think the world is constantly changing, some people are afraid and want to become withdrawn, some others accept it. Obviously, we have to establish rules, we have to avoid excesses, we have to handle their arrivals etc but I refuse to be afraid, I refuse to become withdrawn, I refuse not to accept people fleeing from war. Maybe some people are going to think that what I'm saying is "dangerous", that I don't see what it may happen.
Except that I think that if we can't live together because of our differences, if we can't even help each other, Daesh will have won because our fears will strengthen them. Our fear is their strength !

From my point of view, it is very difficult to talk about the migrants and the refugees. I´m not in their difficult situation. They want a new life without a fear. They have nothing – starting with the basic needs like water or meal and ending with new clothes and bed. Everyone should have a right to choose a life which he wants.
On the other hand, the number of the refugees is very high. And me, I´m affraid of them. I don´t know them. I only read about the trucks, that transport the migrants. I read about the trucks, that the refugees destroyed. And, I read about the refugees who died in the trucks. It´s horrible! This is the point of view of the Slovak people. We don't know the migrants. In Slovakia, the percent of the migrants is low. We don´t have any experiences with the migrants. However, they want to go in developed countries like France, Germany or Great Britain and not to stay in Slovakia or Hungary. For these countries like Germany or Great Britain, the refugees can represent cheap labour force. Because they don't know the language and they know to do a manual work.
In my opinion, there are politician authorities, that have to find a way to result a problem with the migrants. First of all, they have to resolve a problem in the countries of the refugees.

Okay..Here comes another tough problem....

Certainly I agree with other countries like USA, China and Saudi Arabia should take refugees, it's for me a problem of morality. But every country has his own position on this question. In my opinion, getting into European countries is comparatively approriate for the refugees. The first reason is that European countries reached an agreement about humanitarianism. It’s their duty to take refugees in. The second is that the welfare in European countries is attractive to refugees.

USA is considered as one of the creator of the current refugee situation and the strongest country in the world, but the authority announced that they had no plan to take more refugees. Can we force USA to take the refugees? I don’t know...Because every country has his right to decide to take refugees or not.

China also has solid national strength today. But it seems China is not on the list of refugees. First of all, the long distance put the brake on the mobility. On the second, China is still a developing country with a huge population and little land. Finally, refugees will be pushed aside because Chinese are atheist. In fact, it’s not a problem if china want to take refugees or not but if refugees want to get into a relatively father and poorer country.

What the Gulf States like Saudi Arabia is afraid of is that the refugees are going to ruin his fragile social and political system. Due to a small number of citizens in those countries, the increasing of acceptation may break the balance of population. To ensure the leading position of local citizens, people stipulate that foreigners with no job cannot stay in their country. As a result, it’s really hard for refugees to get in to Gulf States.

In a word, the acceptation of refugees depends on the wish of two sides, the country and the refugees.

First of all I've a shared view about this situation..
In the one hand I think it's a good thing to welcome the refugees in our country. If we were in this situation we would like other people do the same ! We have enough housing to host a large flow of this migrants but i don't know for how long ..

In the other hand I think it's a bad thing and only a reason that the State have to "feel good". We go to this country to make war, bombarded innocent perhaps to dammed the rising of Islamism but lots of people died by our faults. Now that we do this our duty is to host this people but i think it's a little bit hypocrite. The cover of the magazine "Charlie Hebdo" is a good reflect of the reality. A little boy is lying on the sand with next to him a symbol of opulence of our societies : "Mac Donalds".

Some people have criticized this cover but it's only the truth of what we are : people living in northern europe and having small problems compared to other ..

I think that the situation of the refugees is complicated because they avoid the war and they come in Europe. They hope to be safe.
The problem is their numbers. Indeed, Europe does not know how to manage this situation. It divides even on the question. Besides, it does not arrange a enough of infrastructures.
I think that it's necessary that the member countries of Europe agree on two essential points. First of all, on the question to welcome how at best the migrants. Then, how Europe can act to improve the situation of counties at war.
Furthemore, every country of Europe will have to find the means to integreate at best these migrants to his population to avoid culture shocks.