ABSTRACT
The debate on immigration and integration continues in many countries and in many spheres of life. The often heated nature of the debate indicates that a great deal is at stake: not only material and political interests but also identities and ways of life. Citizens, opinion makers, authorities, group representatives, and politicians are engaged in lively debates about what it means to be an immigrant, a minority member, a religious believer, a national, and a European. And there are numerous initiatives and debates about how to live with diversity, how to improve acceptance and tolerance, and how to develop and maintain a sense of unity and solidarity. These discussions and debates are very important for the functioning of the society (or neighbourhood, school, organization) and for shaping the future of the country. The academic world tries to make a contribution by theoretical reasoning and empirical research.
