Migracje, mobilność, wielokulturowość – Holandia wobec problemów migracyjnych

The Netherlands is a country with traditions of both emigration and immigration. There are others in the common crucible of culture: migrants from former colonies (Indonesians, Surinams), economic migrants from the time of the economic boom in Europe in the ‘60s (Turks, Moroccans, the people of the former Yugoslavia, Italians, Spaniards), migrant workers from the European Union (Poles, Slovaks, Romanians, Bulgarians), highly qualifi ed employees of international organizations, managers of international companies, academic staff and finally the musicians and painters here who have chosen this as their place to live. The choice of this country as a case study of migratory phenomena is, therefore, by all means justifi ed. It is most interesting to look into Dutch society and see which groups of foreigners have settled in it and how they are perceived. The intent of this article is to pay special attention to the Poles who, in large numbers, after Poland’s accession to the European Union and upon access being granted to them to the Dutch labour market, chose this particular country as a “new home” for a shorter or longer period of time.