Europe's Asylum an Refugee Policy
Event Series "Rethinking Europe"
Escaping towards Europe
A debate about sea rescue in the Mediterranean, refugee protection and alternatives for Dublin III
May 7, 2015 – Berlin, Germany
The dramatic fact that thousands of people died when trying to reach Europe finally created enough political pressure on the Council and the Commission to rethink how to cope with the growing influx of migrants using the central Mediterranean passage to reach Europe. Mostly critizised is the ten-point action plan on migration, that is meant to lead to immediate actions to be taken in response to the ongoing crisis. So far Europe has not acted in unity to find a solution for what has to be considered a humanitarian crisis and rather than on the safeguard of the rights of migrants the focus has mainly been on security.
How will Member States now practically commit to the action plan and conclusions? Will the European Agenda on Migration tackle new territory and what else is needed to solve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean? The debate delivers current information about the situation in the Mediterranean and illuminates opportunities for an efficient and fundable sea rescue as well as alternatives for the Dublin systemen.
Participants are: Ska Keller (Member of the European Parliament, Speaker on Migration Issues for the European Greens), Khalid Chaouki (Member of the Italian Parliament) and Selmin Çalişkan (General Sekretary Amnesty International). The event ist presented by Christian Jakob (Journalist, die tageszeitung).
The Humanitarian Crisis in the Mediterranean
How to Fix the EU’s Failed Approach to Irregular Migration?
Discussion
May 27, 2015 – Brussels, Belgium
Since the beginning of 2015, more than 1,700 people lost their lives trying to reach the southern shores of Europe. On April 21st Commissioner Avramopoulos presented a ten-point action plan on migration, which, in addition to the Agenda on Migration to be adopted later this month, is meant to lead to immediate actions to be taken in response to the ongoing crisis. Even though this action plan features several good points, it can be doubted that it is an adequate response to the complex challenges. The same can be said about the European Council’s Conclusions. So far Europe has not acted in unity to find a solution for what has to be considered a humanitarian crisis and rather than on the safeguard of the rights of migrants the focus has mainly been on security. Will the European Agenda on Migration tackle new territory and what else is needed to solve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean?
The participants are invited to search for answers: Maria Ancona (President of Associazione Sud and Member of Rosa Bianca National Committee), Costanza Hermanin (Senior Policy Analyst, Equality and Migration; Advocacy Manager, Italy, Open Society European Policy Institute, Brussels), Stephen Ryan (Head of Unit, Asylum, DG Home Affairs, European Commission). The event is presented by moderiert Klaus Linsenmeier (Director Heinrich Böll Foundation, Brussels).
- Invitation
- Information concerning the video screening of "The Migrant's Rescue – Mare Nostrum Operations", by Associazione Sud, a reportage which was broadcast by Canal Plus France (L'Effet Papillon) on June, 28 2014.
- Event Report
E-Paper
Approaches for a Coherent German and European Refugee Policy
E-Paper
September 23, 2015 – Berlin, Germany
Europe obviously cannot handle the refugee crisis. The humanitarian catastrophe at the outer borders of Europe doesn't seem to end. The political climate in Germany and other countries seems to agravate. Instead of a shortsighted wall-up policy, specific solutions are needed for both a responsible internal and European policy as well as development cooperation. The migration researcher Steffen Angenendt analyses in this e-paper for the Heinrich Boell Foundation various strategies for action and demonstrates longterm perspectives.
EU Policy
Faith in the European project is on the wane, as many are unable to recognise the advantages of a consolidated EU – in spite of the fact that they are plain to see, for example regarding a common energy, foreign, and security policy. Through events and studies we aim to foster debates about the future of the EU, and we would like to keep the citizens up-to-date and win them over as active participants able to frame the future of the European Union.