In recent years, the issue of international migration and its effects on societies has become increasingly prominent in academic, political, economic, and religious discourse. Due to the unprecedented development of technology and communications, boundaries between countries are more permeable than ever, allowing greater interaction and exchange of ideas and goods between communities. However, the movement of people is often perceived as a special threat to the traditions and values of the citizens in the receiving country. Migrants often encounter barriers in accessing education and finding employment, thereby preventing them from becoming contributing members of society.

The Claude Pepper Center for Intercultural Dialogue encourages an academic approach on the questions surrounding migration issues. By hosting symposia, guests speakers, workshops, and research, the Center will create a dynamic and comprehensive arena for deepening the understanding of migration and its impact on societies.

Immigrant Integration: The Muslim Experience in the West

Dr. Dale Smith, the Chair of the Political Science Department at Florida State University (FSU), Dr. Sabri Ciftci, a member of the research faculty at the Center for Criminology and Public Policy Research at FSU, and Josipa Larson, graduate student in the International Affairs program at FSU are currently conducting research on Immigrant Integration: The Muslim Experience in the West.

Over the last fifty years, the process of decolonization and the lure of economic opportunity in the industrialized countries of Western Europe and North America have led to dramatic increases in immigration from Muslim nations. In Canada and the United States, Muslim immigrants have added to a long history of immigration and settlement, but in Europe large immigrant flows were a new phenomenon. The common perception is that Canada and the USA have been better able to integrate these new immigrants than the European states; however, there is little systematic, scientifically-based research on the integration of Muslim immigrants in North America versus Europe. Given the lack of scientific analysis investigating immigrant integration comparatively, it becomes very difficult to identify and assess successful versus unsuccessful integration strategies. It is imperative to compare the practices and policies of the nations with successful immigrant integration to those with less success in order to formulate the best solutions for Muslim immigrant integration.

The purpose of this initiative is to apply a comparative perspective to the understanding of immigrant integration in North America and Europe. Investigations will focus on (1) the historical, economic, political and social factors which have led to different policies regarding immigrant integration in different countries, and (2) the impact of these policies on both the immigrant and local populations. The ultimate goal of the project is to inform policy using an evidence based approach. As such, the study aims to help develop solutions related to immigrant integration across nations and to provide policy evaluation to advance the social and political integration of Muslim immigrants in Western societies.