Introduction

This book discusses educational responses to immigration in six European countries – France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, the Netherlands and Sweden – as well as in Australia from different viewpoints. While reflecting upon the history of migration, there is also a focus on the challenges to be met at present and in future. Migration has become more and more important in Europe, but the contributions in this book show not only different reactions in politics and education, but also the shift from emigration to immigration in some countries. Changes with regard to migrant groups are also revealed. Therefore, it is of great relevance to include a contribution from Australia as one of the ‘classical countries of immigration’. This helps us to understand some of the processes European countries are experiencing due to migration, though there are, of course, significant differences between a country like Australia, which is based on immigration, and the European states, which have taken and are still taking a long time to acknowledge their status as countries of immigration – with all the consequences this has for education.