1. Social Impact of Migration
Presentation Belgium
November 2014

2. Official immigration stop Asylum seekers
Belgium has known an official immigration stop since Originally it did not apply to the immigrant's family. In 1980 family reunification was also restricted.
This immigration stop does not apply to asylum seekers.
Despite this policy, immigration flows have increased substantially from and even more so from 2000.
Most of these immigrants entered Belgium for family reasons, on humanitarian grounds or with a student visa.

3. Economic contribution of immigrants to the destination country
Economic simulations suggest that:
The welfare gain of immigration for the destination country is substantial due to the fact that immigration increases the supply of labor, which increases employment, production and thus GDP.
Less-educated immigrants increase labor productivity as they complement the local labor force that will be better able to specialize in more productive complementary tasks.
Immigrants are often willing to do jobs that locals no longer are interested in, such as care for the elderly, cleaning, construction work, etc.

4. Economic contribution of immigrants to the destination country
Immigration of the high-skilled can also boost productivity through innovation and specialization.
Still, the public and the policymakers in our country usually believe that immigration can become an economic burden, despite evidence to the contrary.

5. Economic contribution of immigrants to the country of origin
Migration decreases poverty and improves the access to education, health care and housing in the countries of origin, using the money that immigrants send back to their next of kin and by creating new networks for technology, skills and knowledge.
Also trade and investments between the two countries are positively influenced by migration.

6. Cultural contribution of immigrants Belgian music
Belgian music has been enriched by artists of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds for many years .
Samples of the more famous Belgian performers.
Belgian music was reinvented by one of our most famous performers with roots in both Belgium and Rwanda: Stromae

7. Cultural contribution of immigrants Belgian Folklore
The well known Belgian legend of the Ros Beiaard got expanded for the first time in over a hundred years to depict the cultural diversity of the city of Mechelen.
Four children with Assyrian roots were chosen to mount the legendary horse.
The traditional family of giants got two new children Noa and Amir.

8. Cultural contribution of immigrants Belgian landscape
One of the most impressive feats of cultural contribution of immigrants is the Jain temple in Wilrijk. If you were to pass through this seemingly normal Belgian village a beautiful white temple will catch your eye. This isn't only an esthetic contribution to our landscape it is also the worlds largest Jain temple outside of India where the Jain community of Antwerp can worship.

9. Cultural contribution of immigrants Belgian landscape
Another contribution to our Belgian landscape is a church with a Ukrainian tower. This was introduced in the Ukraine a 1000 years ago, in celebration of Christianity.
The tower is a unique sight in Belgium as well as a place of worship for one of our many religious communities.

10. Cultural contribution of immigrants Belgian landscape
The mosk in Genk- Winterslag is one of the largest mosks of Western Europe. Not only is it a place of worship, it is also a cultural center, a library and a youth and community center.

11. Cultural contribution of immigrants Belgian television
The Belgian soap Thuis is a guilty pleasure for many Belgians. A few years ago the producers decided that a Belgian soap should make an accurate depiction of Belgian society. They added more characters from different ethnic backgrounds to reflect that multicultural society.

12. Cultural contribution of immigrants Food
For many years Belgian cuisine has been influenced by immigrants and their way of cooking.
Next to the traditional chip shop or frituur you will find a kebab shop just around the corner.
In almost every Belgian town you will find Chinese, Italian and Greek restaurants.

13. Social contribution of immigrants
Immigrants participate in various Belgian associations.
Most importantly in sports associations: many Belgian athletes have a foreign ethnic background

14. Advantages of migration in Belgium/ the EU
The main advantage of migration, apart from the economic, cultural and social advantages that were established earlier in this presentation, is the effect it has on our demographic evolution. The Belgian population is aging rapidly and will need active immigrants as a counterbalance.