Migration: economic and social effects

Activity title

MIGRATION: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS

Overview

The aim of the lesson is to make students aware of what contemporary immigration is, what causes it, what factors activate it and what economic and social effects it has on the host country.

It also examines various cultural, sociological and religious factors which influence the way immigrants are treated in the host country, and which affect social relations and the effectiveness of immigrants’ assimilation.

It is a knowledge-based type of learning which is combined with analytical skills development. The learning scenario improves students’ critical thinking skills and good communication skills.

Objectives

The objective is to explain the causes of immigration, taking into account its social and economic impact on both the host country and the country of departure

Materials

Websites containing interesting statistical data and a powerpoint presentation of the content

Time

1. Teachers presentation: 90 min
2. Students individual analysis: 60 min
3. Students presentation: 30 min
4. Discussion: 30 min
5. Final thoughts description: 30 min

Introductory requirements

The level of economic knowledge needed for this lesson depends on planned depth of analysis.

For the introductory level, an understanding of typical economic and social concepts such as GDP, unemployment, labor market, socio-economic development, and integration is required.

Limitations

For the purpose of the workshop, a simple SWOT analysis was used to diagnose the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of immigration to the host country. This analysis aims to identify the causes of immigration, its role for the host country in terms of economic indicators and social integration issues.

Group size

10-15

Instructions for trainers

First of all, it is necessary to present the processes of migration as a natural factor of socio-economic change, which for years have been part of economic processes (examples of the USA, Australia or Kandy, Great Britain and Germany).

Next: students should identify which economic and social factors cause rotation and in what directions it takes place

Next: students should identify the positive and negative effects of immigration both for the host country and for the country losing its potential and human capital

Debriefing and evaluation

After the discussion, students should describe their opinions on the causes and effects of immigration, including the positive and negative effects of immigration.

An important aspect of the description should be to propose something like a “migration policy” – how to manage the process of migration, how to get the best results for the host country from immigration, and how to minimize the negative effects of ‘unwanted’ immigration.

Tips for trainers

Like many other topics related to economics, demography or politics, the topic of migration processes and the role and importance of immigrants in the social and economic development of the host country can and does stir controversy (as exemplified by Brexit).

Trainers should be aware that some people may have strong views on migration and immigrants, which may be caused by a populist interpretation of reality, and thus become emotionally involved in the discussion.