One of the big debates in France, Belgium and the Netherlands is that of the integration of Muslim immigrants. Contrarily to earlier waves of European immigrants, or to other recent immigrants from East Asia or Latin America, Muslim immigrants, as well and their children and grandchildren born in Europe, seem to experience serious integration problems, particularily in regard to values, manners (acceptable behaviour), and identity.
France, with its 5 to 6 millions of Muslims has been the worst hit by social unrest and conflicts of civilisations. Numerous debates on TV take place every week about these integration problems. Tonight again a government spokesman proposed to change the legislation in matters of naturalisation, and adopt a system like in Canada, where candidates for citizenship must pass a test of knowledge about the country's language, history, culture and institutions. The USA and the UK also have simila tests. Such a system does not currently exist in France and Belgium, apart from a minimum command of the language. Of course, children of immigrants born in the country do not even need to prove their linguistic abilities, even if they do not speak a word of the official language.
I think that there is no point in arguing against such a test. The problem is "what do we do with the millions of misadapated people of immigrant background who already have the French, Belgian or Dutch nationality ?" It is not conceivable to ask them to re-pass a test if they haven't yet, or lose their nationality.
My proposal is to introduce a mention "nationality test passed" on the ID card of naturalised immigrants who have passed the test and wish to make it know. Many employers are reluctant to recruit a person of Maghreban background because of the bad image that this community has given itself by its own behaviour. This system would allow people willing to integrate to prove their willingness and good faith. Belgium has already introduced compulsory integration courses. Immigrants or naturalised children of immigrants could then earn of certificate that will increase their chances of employment. In the future, nobody should obtain the country's citizenship if they fail the test (and tests shouldn't be too easy), so that becoming French, Belgian or Dutch can become a reason to be proud, like a university graduation, rather than an automatic right acquired by staying a few years in the country, as it is now.
France, with its 5 to 6 millions of Muslims has been the worst hit by social unrest and conflicts of civilisations. Numerous debates on TV take place every week about these integration problems. Tonight again a government spokesman proposed to change the legislation in matters of naturalisation, and adopt a system like in Canada, where candidates for citizenship must pass a test of knowledge about the country's language, history, culture and institutions. The USA and the UK also have simila tests. Such a system does not currently exist in France and Belgium, apart from a minimum command of the language. Of course, children of immigrants born in the country do not even need to prove their linguistic abilities, even if they do not speak a word of the official language.
I think that there is no point in arguing against such a test. The problem is "what do we do with the millions of misadapated people of immigrant background who already have the French, Belgian or Dutch nationality ?" It is not conceivable to ask them to re-pass a test if they haven't yet, or lose their nationality.
My proposal is to introduce a mention "nationality test passed" on the ID card of naturalised immigrants who have passed the test and wish to make it know. Many employers are reluctant to recruit a person of Maghreban background because of the bad image that this community has given itself by its own behaviour. This system would allow people willing to integrate to prove their willingness and good faith. Belgium has already introduced compulsory integration courses. Immigrants or naturalised children of immigrants could then earn of certificate that will increase their chances of employment. In the future, nobody should obtain the country's citizenship if they fail the test (and tests shouldn't be too easy), so that becoming French, Belgian or Dutch can become a reason to be proud, like a university graduation, rather than an automatic right acquired by staying a few years in the country, as it is now.