Why is this important for EUNET? 

• EUNET, as an umbrella organisation, aims to intensify the exchange of views and experiences between European citizins, to raise the quality of it's members programs, to develop methodology, and to make the member's activities visible for a broader European public.
• EUNET is also a platform for permanent education (refresher courses) for professionals and volunteers working in the member's institutions in the European political field.
• Finally, EUNET represents the member organisations in regional, national as well as European institutions and funds.
• EUNET could also widen its scope by seeking co-oparation with NGO's in the field of development co-operation and -education.

Two examples.

I. Integration of third country nationals.

Migrants and their integration are an important issue in the daily life of European citizens. Nobody can ignore the presence of people from many different countries and cultures in their direct surroundings: in schools, on the streets, in shops, in working places, everywhere. Migrants are an important part of our economical system, being consumers, workers and entrepreneurs. They are part of our social and cultural system, in politics, in housing, education and employment, in …Europe.

Many European projects, therefore, are more and more dealing with the issue of Migration. In 2006 EUNET started a project on integration of migrants in Europe: the EUNET integration project, about integration of third country nationals in Europe (INTI).

Partners: besides EUNET Bonn, the EUNET members: IUC Denmark , KdK NL , Sonnenberg Germany , IPUEL Portugal .
And: SOS Malta, a non EUNET member, but member of CONCORD. Why Malta: Malta is one of the new member states of the EU, Malta since then is a donor country in development co-operation, and Malta has a lot of migrants from Africa.

II. Migration and Development.

EUNET member Kontakt der Kontinenten, together with European Developent NGO's in Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Malta and Romania handed in a concept note for a call "Actions to raise public awareness of development issues in Europe" (Budget Line: 21 02 03, Reference: Europe Aid/ 124803/C/ACT/RUE).

Title: From Brain drain to Brain gain – Triple win for migrants, sending and receiving countries (an awareness raising campaign on migration and development).

A travelling exhibition, an internet site, seminars and conferences, etc. for a variety of target groups like migrant organisations, business firms, trade unions, educators, youngsters, politicians on different levels, etc. will be part of the activities in the participating countries.
The European dimension is enhanced through the involvement of and co-operation between organisations from at least six member states, and through activities aiming at reaching the several target groups. The relevance of the subject is very clear: the proposal focuses on public awareness raising actions in Europe on the issue international migration and related development problems in the developing countries and in relation with the industrialized world.

One could say that these issues are relevant for EUNET as well. EUNET members could both support and learn by participating as associated partners in projects like these, because education, training, awareness raising etc. are part of the core business of EUNET.
If for instance in Berlin the NME (Network Migration in Europe) is a consortium partner in this project, they could seek co-operation with the EUNET member over there. And so on. This might be a way of extending activities, or more co-operation with other European networks, of sharing and exchanging experiences and best practises, of dealing with several topics like globalisation, of access to more European budget lines, of more chances for joint projecs, of…..widening the (EUNET) scope!

Wico Bunskoek
Kontakt der Kontinenten