691
ANETA KOBYLILSKA*
THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATION IN MULTICULTURAL
SOCIETY – BETWEEN LEGISLATION
AND THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS
Abstract
Modern societies are currently facing an extreme amount of migration. In light of this, the process
of integration is becoming more and more important in the creation of peaceful and safe societies
in Europe. Therefore, it is essential to look into the theoretical assumptions of this phenomenon, as
well as to construct a policy which incorporates practical solutions. Moreover, a common policy
for all European countries is indispensable to ensure immigrants are protected from the
repercussions of xenophobia and prejudice and to guarantee equal human rights. Consequently,
mutual understanding is essential to construct intercultural societies. Intercultural education is,
thus, becoming a widely used term to identify education that strives to develop tolerance and
open-mindedness towards other cultures, to encourage respect for cultural diversity and to move
beyond prejudices and ethnocentrism in all fields.
The following article provides an analysis of human rights and rights related to intercultural
education and immigrants. In addition, it provides a theoretical deliberation of the concept of
integration and presents practical solutions for building an international dialog in specific
sectors of governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Modern societies are currently facing an extreme amount of
migration. In light of this, the process of integration is becoming more
and more important in the creation of peaceful and safe societies in
Europe. Therefore, it is essential to look into the theoretical assumptions
of this phenomenon, as well as to construct a policy which incorporates
practical solutions. Moreover, a common policy for all countries is
indispensable to ensure immigrants are protected from the repercussions
of xenophobia and prejudice and to guarantee equal human rights.
Consequently, mutual understanding is essential to construct intercultural
societies. Intercultural education is, thus, becoming a widely used term to
identify education that strives to develop tolerance and open-mindedness
towards other cultures, to encourage respect for cultural diversity and to
move beyond prejudices and ethnocentrism in all fields.
Numerous acts were created to protect human rights. The core
human rights treatises, such as the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR)1, and the European Convention on Human Rights
* University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.
1 ICCPR: 1). applies to both nationals and non-nationals 2). adopts all-embracing
language e.g. “no one”, “everyone” 3). recquires each State Party to respect and ensure
the rights of individual within its territory without distinction of any kind such as race,
colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status.