Indicator history

There is no a formal legal definition of integration. According to the Draft National Action Plan against racism 2011-2014, integration is not assimilation in the short term, it does not reduce all the differences. Integration is not inclusion: it is not limited to meeting social and economic standards. But integration is not a simple moral process, it requires a reciprocal effort. In other words, it is not the Republic that must integrate foreigners living in France, it is the foreigners who must integrate with the help of the Republic.

According to the National Action Plan against Racism and Anti-Semitism, integration is not assimilation: it does not reduce all differences. Integration is not social insertion: it is not limited to helping individuals to achieve satisfactory socio-economic standards. Integration is not a simple moral or charitable process: it requires a mutual effort, an opening-up to diversity; it also requires adhesion and will power in order to secure and build a common democratic culture. The Republic is not intended to include foreign nationals present in France as a separate group, they have to integrate and the Republic has to give them the means necessary for lifting obstacles, including, specifically, fighting against the discrimination these people may be victims of.

Source:

• National Action Plan against Racism and Anti-Semitism (Plan national d’action contre le racisme et l’antisémitisme – PNACRA), 15 February 2012, http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Le-ministere/Organisation/Delegation-Interministerielle-a-la-Lutte-contre-le-Racisme-et-l-Antisemitisme/Plan-national-d-action-contre-le-racisme-et-l-antisemitisme-2012-2014, Accessed on 10.12.2012.