FROM THE "THIRD WORLD" TO EUROPE: PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY MIGRATION FROM AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

The article unfolds basic theoretical and practical aspects of contemporary migration to Europe since the early XXth century tilltoday (case study – Africa and Middle East). An analysis of historic and current migration driving forces for Africans entering Europeis given by counties of origin and host countries respectively. The sociological and geographical image of contemporary Africanmigrant to Europe is being shaped. The routes used by African and Middle Eastern migrants moving towards the EU, as well as thecorrelation between the counties of origin and host countries' historical background, are being outlined. Basic hub countries on theway from Africa and Middle East are being investigated. A number of expats' local initiatives aimed at providing migrants' interestsand rights by countries of origin are being presented. Thus, the activities of both humanitarian initiatives of the expats, exiled politicalparties operating in the host countries and local political forces of the diasporas are being emphasized.Keywords: migration, the EU, Africa, Middle East, expat communities, sociology.