Events

In 2015 the number of tragedies involving people trying to reach the EU in search of protection and a better life increased tremendously due to the worsening conditions in their countries of origin. The EU responded to the emergency by developing a new European Agenda on Migration which increased the focus on security and border control while still lacking effective instruments to ensure a joint and comprehensive solution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

This round table will offer to policy makers and members of the civil society the possibility to discuss about migration, fundamental rights and humanitarian aid. Members of the SOLIDAR Advisory Group on migration and fundamental rights and of the IRIS network (Improving social services in SEE) will present their daily work and provide policy recommendations.

The meeting is divided into two sessions. The first session will focus on the need to improve the Common European asylum system and put solidarity and respect of human rights at the hearth of EU migration polices. The second session will reflect about the link between EU Enlargement and EU migration policies and explore tools to support CSOs providing humanitarian aid and support to socio-economic integration of migrants and refugees.

Questions to be addressed in both sessions:

• What would be needed to tackle the refugee crisis in the EU Member States and candidate countries in the Western Balkans?
• Is it acceptable for a Union based on the values of democracy and solidarity not to be able to provide an effective and comprehensive response to the humanitarian crisis?
• What role do civil society organisations play in tackling the refugee crisis as well as ensuring socio-economic integration of refugees and migrants? Among others, cases from Hungary, Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic, Serbia and Macedonia will be presented.

Language: English