Migration

Working Group “Migration”

Next meeting: tba

Meeting on October 20th 2017

Meeting in June 2017

Introduction

Since the current refugee situation is getting more and more challenging, some EUNET members agreed in autumn 2015 that there is a need to react quickly and to realize common activities on this issue.
In March 2016, during the EUNET Spring-Meeting in Vienna, the working group was created and a first work program was developed.

EUNET working group on MigrationThe first meeting of the newly founded EUNET working group “Migration” took place from June 6th to 8th 2016 in Potsdam (Germany).

The working group began with a short overview of the current situation of migration in the members respective countries. A common theme found and discussed throughout each was the influx of migrants in each country and their responses – varying from a massive undertaking and introduction of them into the country to total rejection.

Following the debriefing, the group worked together to discuss different materials and projects that can be undertaken. Within the European Union there are various mixed feelings on to how handle the rapid flux of migrants in the region. There has been a rise of radical right wing parties throughout Europe, most with an anti-migrant stance. They reflect and try to manipulate the fear and uncertainties of the population and create an anti-migrant or refugee feel and it is working. The working group attempted to find ideas and solutions to combat this problem.

Aims

  • Exchange about current situation of migration in different European countries
  • Exchange about methods and tools to inform citizens better about the topic
  • Creation of new methods
  • Common activities

Next steps

  • creation of a tool-kit concerning methods and best practice for the educational work with migrants and local population
  • creation of  a fact sheet with arguments against stereotypes of refugees/migrants (will be presented at the General Assembly in October 2016)
  • development of a common European project on migration issues
  • creation of a „pool of experts“ (for topics like migration, but also other themes)