International Conference: Migration Policies and Practices in the EU and the Mediterranean Region

The conference attracted more than 80 participants coming from local and international organizations, such as public services, networks and platforms, NGOs, foreign embassies and academic institutions. The Conference was addressed by the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Eleni Mavrou, while organizations, below, delivered presentations in themes related to migration and integration:

  • CARDET Cyprus
  • European Association for the Defence of Human Rights
  • Centre for European Studies
  • European Network Against Racism
  • Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies
  • International Organization for Migration
  • Greek National Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation
  • European Network of Asylum Reception Organizations
  • High Commissioner for the Intercultural Dialogue and Immigration of Portugal
  • VIFIN Denmark
  • KOPIN Malta
  • OXFAM Italia

Following a presentation of the action plan and the vision of the MMN by the network’s coordinator, CARDET, the conference was divided in two sessions; the first session focused on the status of migration in the EU and the Mediterranean and the second session on integration practices applied in various EU countries.

Specifically, during the first session, presentations addressed issues such as the current trends of migration in Europe and the Mediterranean Region, border control, human rights, racism and the role of non-governmental organizations and networks in integration processes. During the second session, organizations coming from countries with longstanding experience in dealing with migration such as Portugal, Italy, Malta and Denmark presented migrants’ integration practices applied in their countries. Such practices are the one stop shop, the use of technology in integration practices, the role of education in supporting integration and integration processes with particular focus on women.

Both sessions generated fruitful discussions around the major challenges the EU is currently facing in the areas of migration and integration. Those challenges are the development of a common EU migration framework, the citizenship status for migrants, the entry requirements and visas, the labour market and the role of NGOs in promoting integration at local and European level. Participants also discussed the prospects of the MMN to support the Cyprus presidency of EU, by providing relevant consultation and advocating to Cyprus and EU decision making bodies.