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Anniversary Conference: 10 Years EMN ,
In Mid-May the conference for the ten-year existence of the European Migration Network took place under the title "Understanding Migration in the EU: past, present future". Corresponding to the occasion, exalted speakers from politics, practice and science looked back and outlined the, from their perspective, most important challenges regarding asylum, migration and solidarity in the European Union and thereby appreciated the role of the EMN as an information provider, that grew over the years.
In his opening speech, EU Commissar on Migration Dimitris Ayramopoulus said "The experiences with migration are part of the European DNA, the European identity. A key role in the provision of objective information on the topics of migration, integration and asylum is assigned to the EMN
" and further "The European Union needs a resilient asylum and migration policy on a long-term basis that rests upon facts and not emotions.
"
From the left: Tamara Buschek-Chauval (Ministry of Interior France), Julian Tangermann (EMN National Contact Point Germany), Magnus Ovilius (EMN Coordinator of the Commis-sion), Manfred Kohlmeier (EMN National Contact Point Germany).
Source: EMN|BAMF
Claude Moraes, chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, emphasized in his input that migration was no "ordinary" topic. The relevance of it will not end, even if the media attention ceases. The EU were to further engage in resettlement and other legal entryways for refugees. The availability of reliable information and statistics builds up an essential basis for fact-based policy making, Moraes said. From the perspective of Sophie Magennis, representative of the refugee relief organization of the United Nations (UNHCR) in Brussels, the problem of the EU in these areas lies especially in the lack of political conduction.
Elizabeth Collett, Director of the Migration Policy Institute Europe, also appreciates the EMN by saying "Once I want to know what the governments are occupied with, I look at the EMN Ad-hoc-Queries.
"
Ioan-Dragos Tudorache, Head of Division for Irregular Migration and Return of the EU Commission appreciates in his closing words the very successful event and especially, that a culture of information sharing in Europe developed due to the establishment of the EMN in 2008.
More information and publications can be found under the link in the right slot:
- The 10-years EMN video on occasion of the anniversary reflects on the value of networking in migration and asylum matters.
- The anniversary report "Understanding Migration in the EU. Insights form the European Migration Network 2008-2018" summarizes important trends and data on the topic of asylum and migration of the past 10 years and how the EMN contributed with its studies and information to policy making in this context.
- The "Annual Report on Migration and Asylum" gives an overview on central developments regarding migration policy and law in 2017 and is based on the contributions of 25 member states.