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• Assimilation

  Immigrants are expected to adopt the beliefs and practices of the majority group in the host country. Over time, this is supposed to make the identity of the immigrants indistinguishable from the majority groups in aspects such as cultural beliefs and practices.
• Assimilation policy in France

  1. Secular Education

  2. Employment

  3. Naturalisation Process
• Secular Education in France

  • No discussion about religions in the French classroom, except for History and Philosophy classes
  • Adaptation classes conducted for the children of immigrants to help them improve their French and eventually join French schools
• Secular education system in France

  • Ensures the assimilation of minority groups into secular schools
  • Treating every individual equally and with fairness will strengthen the French national identity
• Employment in France

  • The French government introduced the Diversity Charter which allowed companies to articulate their support for a discrimination-free workplace
• Naturalisation programmes in France

  • Immigrants required to undergo French language courses, attend a day of civic education about life in France before they gain permanent residency
  • Immigrants required to demonstrate knowledge of the history and culture of France, French language proficiency and pass a French cultural test to be eligible for French nationality
• Naturalisation policies in France

  • Ensure that immigrants will have to interact as much as possible with other people in French society
  • When they are fluent in French, adopt French attitudes and beliefs, this will strengthen their French identity
• The continued emphasis on the French national identity in the wake of France becoming one of the most multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies in Europe has led to tensions as people are expected to keep their displays of religious customs and ethnic beliefs private. The people are not allowed to wear religious symbols/items/clothing.
• Critics say that this assimilation policy violates individual rights and freedom of religion and expression while the French governments asserts and defends its position based on the need to minimise distinctions between people.
• Integration

  Immigrants retain their unique identities while forging common ground with the groups already living in the host country
• Integration is achieved when diverse socio-cultural identities complement the national identity of being a Singaporean. The core of Singapore's national identity is anchored on shared values of upholding law and order, respecting racial and religious harmony, and a commitment to working together for a better future.
• Integration policies in Singapore


  1. Bilingual Policy

  2. Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) and Group Representation Constituency (GRC)

  3. Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)

  4. Naturalisation Programme

  5. Common Experiences

  6. Community Support
• Bilingual Policy in Singapore


  • Learning English has given the different ethnic groups a common language to communicate to one another and foster a sense of belonging and promote better integration
  • Learning of Mother Tongue allows aims to preserve our cultural identity and heritage and foster a sense of belonging
• PCMR and GRC in Singapore


  Ensures that the concerns and needs of minority groups are represented in parliament, leading to harmonious society
• Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) in Singapore


  Provides opportunities to interact, foster and strengthen social cohesion in Singapore
• Naturalisation Programme, Common Experiences, Community Support in Singapore

  • New citizens have to go through the Singapore Citizenship Journey, a mandatory three-part programme
  • They will have deeper knowledge and experience of Singapore and will be able to adapt to life in Singapore better
  • Opportunities to interact with locals will help immigrants adapt to being part of Singapore society
  • Common experiences help to build ties between newcomers and the larger Singapore society to encourage immigrants to develop better understanding and to interact outside of their own communities
• National Service in Singapore

  Brings people from diverse backgrounds together and creates a strong national identity to Singapore
• Grassroots-organised events and activities in Singapore

  Help to alleviate the anxiety faced by new citizens when adjusting to their new home
• Some Singaporeans feel that new citizens have not integrated well and have begun to feel uncomfortable with the inflow of foreigners
• On the economic front, some feel that their job security has been compromised as they have to compete with the newcomers
• New citizens are also blamed for causing increases in prices, constant traffic congestion and greater incidents of breakdown in public structure such as the MRT
• Tensions over the perceived erosion of the Singaporean identity have built up over the years as some Singaporeans feel that the large number of immigrants has affected social cohesion
• Some newcomers' inability to communicate effectively in English and their different social norms and behaviours have become obstacles to successful integration
• Shared Responsibility healthcare system in Singapore


  The government intervenes though the provision of basic healthcare services and shares the cost of some aspects of healthcare. Healthcare costs are kept affordable by the provision of heavy government subsidies, collective responsibility by society through risk-pooling, with the importance of individual and family responsibility.
• Government Financed healthcare system in Sweden


  The government provides substantial subsidies and services for most of the healthcare needs of its citizens, sometimes some of the healthcare services could be free. Based on the fundamental belief that all citizens should have access to healthcare services regardless of background or socio-economic status.