EU migration policy 'on the wrong track' [fr] [de]
Europe's migration policy is failing to capitalise on the creative potential that comes with cultural diversity, according to a leading expert on urban planning, who warned that the EU's Blue Card scheme treats people as "economic units".
Background
Europe has been raising awareness about particular subjects ranging from workers' mobility to intercultural dialogue every year since 1983. This year, the EU decided to focus on creativity and innovation, and is seeking to broaden the definition of innovation to bring together artists and entrepreneurs.
The role of music in education was initially proposed as the focus of 2009's European Year, but this gradually evolved into creativity and innovation. The prominence of innovation has taken on additional importance in light of the economic downturn that has unfolded since the European Year of Creativity and Innovation (EYCI) was announced.
The EU is eager to attract high-skilled immigrants in order to match growing demand from its labour markets. The supply of technological specialists is constantly falling, and the European Union has not proven as successful as the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand in attracting a share of the large numbers of technicians and engineers trained in emerging economies like China and India.
To tackle the problem, the EU adopted its so-called 'Blue Card' scheme (see EurActiv LinksDossier).
Speaking at a debate hosted by the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation (EYCI), Phil Wood, principal advisor to the Council of Europe on intercultural cities, was critical of what he called "neo-liberal cities", which attract a diverse range of social and ethnic groups that do not always interact.
He said planning cities with creative spaces and recognising differences can help make for a more vibrant environment.
Wood, author of 'The Intercultural City: Planning for Diversity Advantage', said Europe's attitude to migration has become increasingly utilitarian.
"We are now judging migrants based on whether they are useful or not useful. We have turned migrants into economic units. There's no ideology – migration policy is defined by the market – but now we know the market is fallible," he said.
Asked whether the proposed 'Blue Card' for skilled migrant workers will prove to be a positive step, Wood said he has "concerns" about the scheme. "Why are people with engineering PhDs more valuable than others?" he said.
Wood warned of a political backlash from lower socio-economic groups if politicians fail to show leadership on migration issues. If mainstream political leaders shy away from addressing the tensions that can arise in culturally-diverse cities, extremists will exploit differences for their own ends, he said.
"We are on the wrong track at the moment. We need leadership. Leaders fear a backlash from the white working class. The white creative class finds creativity and diversity to be sexy but we don't understand the fear that exists among people who equate immigration with competition for jobs. There are populists who have been tapping into this fear," he said.
Diversity can be a boon for innovation, according to Wood, who pointed to the growing trend for creative companies to build teams based on groups with a wide range of backgrounds. He added that evidence from the United States shows that foreign-born inventors are fuelling new patent applications.
Creativity is about more than the arts
Also speaking at the EYCI debate was Maroš Šefčovič, European commissioner for education, training, culture and youth, who said the meeting of different human cultures sparks creativity. He cited Silicon Valley as an example of a venture that would not have happened without cultural diversity.
"Closed and uniform societies have historically seen less exchange. Openness is good for creativity and innovation. However, this is not only linked to the arts, it also applies to science and technological innovation. The Commission wants to enlarge creativity so that it is not seen only as a product of the arts," he said.
However, this was countered by Sabine Frank, secretary-general of the Platform for Intercultural Europe, who said the creativity agenda is increasingly associated with economic output.
"I get the sense that in the EU environment, creativity is mostly linked to innovation leading to economic growth. So it's primarily about science, technology and industry," she said.
She said her organisation wants to see "compassionate creativity", which brings people from different backgrounds together.
Positions
Bola Olabisi, managing director of the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network, said the media plays a key role in influencing mindsets. "When we look at the media we don't always see as much cultural diversity as we should," she said.
She expressed concern that just 5.5% of female inventors protect their intellectual property. Access to finance for female innovators is also holding back women, she said, adding that around one in five women can access venture capital.
Daniel de Torres, Barcelona's commissioner for integration and intercultural dialogue, said his city had seen a dramatic increase in diversity in recent years. He said clear theoretical principles, such as equality and the principle of difference, should underlie policy in this area.
According to de Torres, the priority in Barcelona has been to invest in mixed uses for neighbourhoods, making it possible to live, work and shop in every part of the city.
Hans Martens, chief executive of the European Policy Centre, said it is difficult to precisely measure the link between diversity and creativity, adding that he believes diversity "spices up creativity and enhances our lives".
Maroš Šefčovič, European commissioner for education, training, culture and youth, said the 2009 EYCI is an appropriate step following last year's focus on intercultural dialogue. He said it was important for Europe to create favourable conditions for creativity, including strong legal protection for innovations.
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