JoLIE 1/2008 IMMIGRATION DISCOURSES: THE CASE OF ROMANIAN IMMIGRANTS IN ITALY Teodora Popescu University of Alba Iulia, Romania Abstract The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the situation of Romanian immigrants to Italy and the way in which this is reflected at various layers of communication. We will start by presenting some statistical data concerning this phenomenon, provided by various OECD publications. Next, we will comment on the findings of the surveys carried out by Metro Media Transilvania and commissioned by Agentia pentru strategii guvernamentale 1 : Comunitatea românească în Italia: condiţii sociale, valori, aşteptări - Studiu sociologic 2 (December 2007) and Percepţia cetăţenilor italieni asupra României şi comunităţii româneşti din Italia 3 (March- April 2008). Last but not least, we will focus on media discourses on the issue of Romanian immigrants in Italy, as seen in the English-speaking media. Key words: migration, Romania, Italy, European integration, free movement of labour. Introduction Immigration represents a far-reaching, global phenomenon, especially due to the new tendencies in migration patterns and movements: the ever-growing inflows of highly qualified workers, temporary workers and students. According to the OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, the increase of 10% in the number of immigrants who entered OECD countries on a permanent basis in 2005 as compared to 2004 turns international migration into one of the main issues on the global agenda. One of the major issues in the global agenda is international migration. As with many other aspects of this agenda, the international mobility of people needs to be well managed, and sound policies designed and implemented. Migration is part of the solution for labour shortages and population ageing in OECD countries, but to take full advantage of it, effective integration policies are needed, in particular in the realms of education and the labour market (OECD n.d. para. 5). 1 Agency for Governmental Strategies. 2 The Romanian Community in Italy: social conditions, values, expectations. 3 Italian citizens’ perception of Romania and the Romanian community in Italy.