Questionnaire Results Immigration May 2009

Before coming to France, pupils from each country were asked to prepare in class the draft of a questionnaire on immigration. During our first meeting in La Ravoire four mixed-nationality groups were formed and asked to take the most interesting questions to create a common questionnaire. The final questionnaire was a synthesis of these four questionnaires. In each of our countries, a hundred of these final questionnaires were printed, people were questioned and the results collected. Graphs were produced and conclusions drawn. During the second meeting in Baia Mare, pupils from each country came forward to present their findings to the assembled pupils and teachers. A table with six columns was prepared to illustrate the results for each question and each country. Finally, using this table, pupils from the six countries present in Baia Mare worked in groups to make comparisons and draw conclusions. The comments below outline these findings.

Students found some answers were predictable while others were more surprising. Unsurprisingly the two countries having the largest number of immigrants or people with immigrant backgrounds among respondents are France and Germany. Fewer than one in six Italian, Polish, Turkish or Romanian respondents come themselves or have parents or grandparents coming from another country. There would seem to be hardly any immigrants (first or second generation) living in Baia Mare.

The ones arriving in France and Turkey found it easier to integrate than those settling in Italy and Germany. The desire to earn more money and improve living standards appears in all countries to be the strongest motivating factor for immigrants leaving their homeland. The second most popular reason was joining a family member.

When it comes to deciding if they intend to return to their homeland, the vast majority in all countries say no. This suggests that most immigrants in all six countries have succeeded in making a fresh start and putting down roots.

An amazing 72% of Romanian respondents say that they would envisage emigrating. Over 50% of French, German and Polish respondents also replied positively to this question. On the other hand only one in four Italians think this likely. The fear of missing friends and family is stated as being the main reason for not moving.

A majority of all those interviewed in each country think a multicultural society desirable. However nearly half the respondents in Germany and Italy would like immigrants in their countries to make a greater effort to become better integrated.

A clear majority of Germans and Italians suggest there are too many foreigners, while respondents in other countries do not. Paradoxically two thirds of Germans are in favour of letting in more immigrants which clearly contradicts the previous finding. Turks, Romanians and Poles are not hostile to allowing more immigrants into their countries.

Racism and discrimination are perceived as major problems in France, Italy and Germany but much less so in Poland, Romania and Turkey. Two thirds of Italians say these problems are getting worse. In the three countries where immigrants face the worst problems of racism and discrimination, few people are aware of the programmes which exist to facilitate integration. This suggests that people are badly informed or that governments in these countries are not doing enough to combat racism and promote integration.