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On 24 June 2025, EMN Belgium participated in the Polish Presidency Conference on countering irregular migration. The discussions examined this phenomenon from three perspectives: strengthening the EU’s external borders to prevent irregular entries, combating migrant smuggling to dismantle criminal networks, and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and providing safe and legal alternatives.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: external border, border control, migrant smuggling, criminal network, root causes, legal pathway
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Albania has officially joined the European Migration Network (EMN) as an Observer Country. An Administrative Agreement was signed on 24 June between the European Commission and the Albanian Ministry of Interior. The arrangement was concluded on the margins of a conference co-organised by EMN Poland and establishes formal cooperation between the two parties within the EMN framework.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: European Migration Network, observer country, Albania
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During this online event, the European Migration Network (EMN) will present the 2024 Asylum and Migration Overview (AMO). This comprehensive publication provides a clear overview of the main trends and developments in migration and asylum across EMN Member and Observer countries in 2024. Additionally, a new interactive format will be introduced to enhance the accessibility of the information for a broader audience. Participants will gain insight into the key policy changes and challenges that shaped migration and asylum in Europe over the past year.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Asylum and Migration Overview, asylum trend, migration trend, annual report
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On 27 May 2025, the Belgian Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN) participated in a capacity-building session on guardianship and the quality of care for asylum-seeking children in the context of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The seminar was organised by the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC), in collaboration with OKaJu (Ombudsman for Children in Luxembourg – Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher) and the Luxembourgish Contact Point to the EMN. The aim of the session was to discuss the impact of the new Pact on children in asylum procedures.
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On 21 and 22 May 2025, the European Migration Network’s Return Experts Group (EMN REG) convened a two-day workshop, hosted by the Belgian Immigration Office and EMN Belgium. The event brought together 50 participants from EU Member States, EU agencies (including Frontex and the EU Asylum Agency), civil society organisations, and international organisations. The workshop focused on the development and implementation of effective alternatives to detention (ATDs) within the EU’s migration and return systems.
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During a lunch & learn session, the EMN Belgium team met with around 30 Fedasil staff members to present the work of the European Migration Network, encourage active participation in the national network, and provide updates on recent and upcoming publications and activities.
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Main theme: Reception
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EMN Luxembourg, in cooperation with the Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents in Luxembourg and the European Network of Ombudsmen for Children, organise a joint capacity-building event to support Member States and their respective institutions in implementing the Pact, especially regarding children’s rights.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, children's right, child, guardianship
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This event aims to help migration policymakers and practitioners better understand the potential of AI applications as well as the regulatory framework of the AI Act and its impact on the use of AI in migration management, and to discuss the impact of AI on policymaking.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: migration policy, migration management, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence Act
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This conference will explore the role labour migration might play in addressing labour market shortages in the Netherlands and the broader European context, while considering both the benefits and the challenges it brings. Participants will look at case studies and delve into concrete examples from other EU Member States, and explore various approaches to managing labour migration. Policymakers and experts will engage in this dialogue to examine the diverse policy choices that might shape the future of labour migration policies.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, labour migration policy, labour shortage
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The conference will explore the future of Ukrainian displaced persons beyond temporary protection and will bring together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for policy transitions, address employment related integration challenges, share best practices, and examine the role of the diaspora in supporting long-term solutions.
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Main theme: Integration, Temporary protection
Keywords: beneficiary of temporary protection, Ukraine
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This high-level conference will provide panel discussions among EU Member States’ ministries, the European Commission, EU agencies, national stakeholders, international organisations, and third-country officials to exchange views on tackling irregular migration, border management, countering migrant smuggling, and addressing root causes of migration.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration
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On 27 March 2025, EMN Belgium brought together over 130 key stakeholders in the areas of asylum and migration in Belgium. The Minister for Asylum and Migration addressed this large audience of experts from various fields. Participants examined recent developments as well as current and future challenges related to asylum and migration in Belgium and within the EU context. They then explored key topics in breakout sessions and used informal networking opportunities to strengthen connections and explore new collaborations.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: annual EMN policy event
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The European Migration Network Luxembourg (EMN Luxembourg) and the UniGR-Center for Border Studies (UniGR-CBS) organise this conference to mark the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement and to reflect on it critically in light of current developments. Places are limited.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen Agreement, anniversary, internal border control, temporary reintroduction of border control
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The purpose of this conference is to address the situation of migrant women in Spain and in other Member states, highlighting the challenges and problems they face and what measures are being taken to ensure their integration and inclusion, especially with regard to access to the labour market and housing.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: inclusion, migrant woman, labour market access, housing
Capacity building workshop: Screening of third-country nationals at the EU external borders (2 days)
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This workshop, jointly organised by the General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Luxembourg, the Detention Center of the Ministry of Home Affairs and EMN Luxembourg, will serve as a platform for Member States to exchange their first insights on progress made and challenges encountered while adapting to the new requirements put in place by the Screening Regulation.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, screening regulation
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As the year comes to a close, the team at the Belgian Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN) would like to send you its heartfelt wishes for this holiday season. May the New Year bring us new opportunities for meaningful exchanges and positive impact as we continue to provide you with valuable information on asylum and migration.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: holiday season greetings, EMN Belgium, New Year wishes 2025
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The EMN Steering Board has voted on the topics to be analysed in studies and informs in 2025. In total, one study and nine informs, particularly in connection with the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, will be developed next year. A Belgian proposal inviting us to rethink the reception of applicants for international protection was selected.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
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This conference, organised by the Maltese National Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN), aims inter alia to examine ways to strengthen ties between migrant children and host communities and to foster mutual understanding. The inclusion of migrant children in local communities, through education, social work, advisory and community services, will be discussed.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: children, migrant child, unaccompanied minors
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EMN Belgium visited the team of DEI Belgium - ECPAT to better understand each other's activities and deepen exchanges and opportunities for cooperation. EMN Belgium, for example, learned more about their work to protect migrant children and their parents in reception centres.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant child, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation
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EMN France's national conference will focus on the recent Inform published jointly by the EMN and OECD, which provides an overview of civic training schemes/programmes for third-country nationals in EMN Member and Observer Countries, and in non-EU OECD countries. It will also discuss educational approaches, systems and exams in place to convey and assess knowledge of civic principles and values.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: civic training, civic integration programme, civic exam, digital tool
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This conference is dedicated to exploring how to maximize the benefits of external cooperation in the field of migration. A wide range of national and international experts, including policymakers from EU and non-EU countries, practitioners and researchers, will engage in discussions around the challenges and components of effective migration partnerships, exploring opportunities for balanced as well as comprehensive cooperation and innovative approaches.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: Migration Partnership, migration diplomacy, legal migration pathway
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On 28 October 2024, the European Commission and the Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia signed an Administrative Arrangement to collaborate in the European Migration Network, making North Macedonia one of the network’s Observer Countries. North Macedonia will contribute to the European Migration Network’s objectives, attending all meetings and contributing to the network’s studies and reports.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Migration Network, observer country
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The 2024 national conference of EMN Finland shall examine the state of play as well as the future prospects of the situation of Ukrainians in Finland and in EU countries. The conference aims to address the challenges of integration in a situation where beneficiaries of temporary protection find themselves between two countries. The conference seeks to support these persons in the limbo between integration and return.
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Main theme: Integration, Temporary protection, Return & Readmission
Keywords: beneficiary of temporary protection, Ukraine, legal status, voluntary return
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In view of the current preparation of the National Implementation Plans due by December 2024, EMN Greece aims to facilitate a stimulating discussion and interesting exchange of views on the implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum during its national conference 2024.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum
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The Polish National Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN) will hold its national conference in 2024 on "Security of the EU's External Borders: Development of systems, technologies and threats prevention".