Many believe that immigration is a phenomenon primarily of our times. Yet, it is as old as humanity itself. Immigration is intertwined with the rise of civilization. Human societies, however, have usually reacted negatively to newcomers. Perhaps it was the primal fear of the 'barbarian,' the uncivilized and threatening foreigner...

Today we live in a time of rapid changes: the era of globalization. And immigration remains one of the key mechanisms of human progress. But the fear of the 'barbarian' still exists today, just as it did in the past. In public discourse, it is usually overlooked that every scientific analysis of the phenomenon of immigration reaches -almost monotonously- the same conclusion. International migration benefits everyone: the countries of origin, the countries of destination, and the migrants themselves. Calls for restriction seem to betray ignorance combined with fear.

There is, however, something else: in rich countries, citizens are having fewer children and living longer lives. Their population is aging and will soon begin to shrink. At the same time, the pool of migrants, which still seems inexhaustible, will quickly begin to dry up. The arrival of migrants today is seen as a problem. Tomorrow it will become a necessity. And, as usual, the winners will be the societies that knew how to foresee...

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]