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This conference will highlight the findings from the European research project OPPORTUNITIES. Four years of research will be brought to the stage on how narratives on migration develop, how (social) media spread such narratives, how Europeans relate to migration and how, in practice, an equal dialogue is possible.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: narrative, equal dialogue, migration discourse
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The 18 December was chosen to celebrate International Migrants Day and the contributions that migrants make to the societies and countries that host them. On this occasion, various persons and organisations took action and issued statements calling for respect for the rights of migrants.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: international migrants day
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The Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the Atlas of Migration 2024 which delves into the complex factors and conditions that shape migratory movements. The research shows that a wide range of interrelated drivers linked to the circumstances in the origin country, opportunities in the potential destination country as well as personal ambitions shape the migration potential of individuals and groups.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: migration driver, decision to migrate, motivation to migrate
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"Migration and asylum in Europe" allows to explore, visualise and compare indicators on migration and asylum at the EU and country levels. Key data and trends are proposed on topics such as population diversity, protection and asylum, irregular migration and return, and skills of migrants.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics
Keywords: migration trend, asylum trend
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On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the International Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, UNHCR and NANSEN organise a study day on statelessness. Particular emphasis will be placed on the rights of stateless persons and the specific procedures applicable in Belgium, in particular the new residence procedure for stateless persons.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: stateless persons, residence procedure, access to rights
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On 27 November 2024, members of the European Parliament elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote. The College of Commissioners is expected to take office on 1 December 2024. Magnus Brunner will be the new Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, marking the end of Ylva Johansson's mandate.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Commissioner for Home Affairs
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Myria has published the fifth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « International protection », Myria pays particular attention inter alia to the new residence procedure for stateless persons. The Federal Migration Centre underlines that the new procedure is subject to strict conditions and that it provides reduced procedural guarantees for stateless persons.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: stateless persons, residence procedure, procedural guarantee, equal treatment, interview
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On 26 November 2024, the European Commission launched a new programme to support a Talent Partnership between the EU and Pakistan. The programme, that is funded with EUR 3 million from the EU, will enable the EU, its Member States, and Pakistan to develop a coherent set of actions on labour mobility and skills development.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: talent partnership, talent mobility, labour market need, skill need
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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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The Federal Public Service Justice is currently able to assign a guardian to an unaccompanied foreign minor within the normal period of 8 weeks. However, the demand for guardians remains high in Limburg, Antwerp and Brussels, and the Guardianship Service is still urgently looking for additional guardians.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: unaccompanied minors, guardianship
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18 November marks the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Children are the most vulnerable group in society and children who are migrating, especially if unaccompanied, face an increased risk of being subjected to violence, including sexual violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant child, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation
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The latest International Migration Outlook 2024 includes a special focus on immigrant entrepreneurship. It highlights that migrants represent a growing share of total entrepreneurs in OECD countries. In 2022, 17% of the self-employed in OECD countries on average were migrants, up from 11% in 2006.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: migrant entrepreneurship, self-employment, job creation
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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 4.048 persons obtained Belgian nationality in August 2024. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in August are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Italy and France.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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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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Eurostat released data on unaccompanied minors granted temporary protection in 21 EU Member States and all EFTA countries between March 2022 and September 2024. Austria, the Netherlands and Lithuania have granted the most temporary protection statuses, in absolute terms, to unaccompanied minors since March 2022. Belgium has granted temporary protection status to 1600 unaccompanied minors during the same period.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Temporary protection
Keywords: temporary protection, beneficiary of temporary protection, unaccompanied minors, Ukraine
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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 5 November, the LIBE Committee questioned Magnus Brunner, the Austrian candidate for the Internal Affairs and Migration portfolio. Brunner committed to speeding up the implementation of some elements of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and showed himself open to considering new ideas to complement it. He also announced that he would table a new Return Directive and strengthen legal pathways to attract the skills that EU labour markets need.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Commissioner for Home Affairs, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, return hub, return directive, EU Talent Pool, external border
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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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Researchers, civil servants, journalists, teachers, and professionals from intergovernmental and governmental agencies working in migration-related areas are encouraged to apply for the 2nd Migration Winter Academy, taking place from 3-7 February 2025, in Florence, Italy. Through expert-led sessions and interactive discussions, the course will delve into public attitudes toward migration, migrant decision-making, and the development of migration policies.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: public attitude, migration policy, narrative, communication
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The Glossary Working Group meets regularly to maintain the EMN Asylum and Migration Glossary up to date. This 62nd meeting, hosted by EMN Belgium, was an opportunity to discuss cooperation with partners, especially in preparation of the inclusion of new terms related to the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: glossary, New Pact on Migration and Asylum
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On 21 October 2024, the European Ombudsman closed her inquiry on respect for human rights in the context of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). She concluded, inter alia, that the Commission should set out the criteria on which the suspension of contracts due to violations of human rights in the implementation of EU-funded projects in Tunisia would be based. These criteria should be made public.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: memorandum of understanding, Tunisia, human rights, border management, border control
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On 17-18 October 2024, EMN Belgium participated in the Odysseus Network Conference 2024 on EU Legislation after the Pact. This event offered EMN Belgium the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of some of the 485 pages included in the new legal instruments introduced by the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, implementation, solidarity, responsibility sharing, border, screening, fundamental right
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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.