Renato Martinoni on social responsibility for immigrants

In the liberal Swiss daily Corriere del Ticino Renato Martinoni analyses the social impact of free movement of persons between the EU and Switzerland, the future of which is to be decided in a referendum in February 2009. "It is right to remind those with short memories that we Swiss went from being a nation of emigrants (particularly in the 19th century, with California as their destination) to being a people that is now confronted with immigration. ... However 19th century society cannot be compared with today's society. And also the way children were brought up, with strict religious and family values and a strong sense of duty which the emigrants took along with them in their bundles, is sadly no longer prevalent in today's society. The latter is mainly based on the values of consumption, of having 'everything immediately' and a sense of entitlement. A serious discussion about immigration cannot disregard humanitarian principles, nor can it avoid calls for a sense of responsibility and contribution. The reality and problems of a country must be shared by all who live there. ... This is the lesson we must learn from those who have experienced the struggles and suffering of emigration. Our task does not end here. We must also hand on this lesson to those who move here and are often ... seeking a place of refuge rather than a fatherland. A fatherland whose basic principles must be duty, effort, respect and responsibility."

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