The Thinking Lab on Migration & Integration is dealing with one of the most crucial challenges the European Union is currently facing. The Lab is trying to get a truly European view on Migration, Human Rights and Citizenship, Integration, as well as Managing migration flows. The concept of “people on the move” instead of only “refugee” or “migrant” is also in the center of the debate.
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Policy Brief on Migration & Integration
2018 | Thinking Lab on Migration & Integration
Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy brief on Migration & Integration in Europe. The Thinking Lab developed nine policy recommendations divided into three main clusters.
Final results of the Thinking Labs online!
Check out the four policy briefs
Over the course of the last two years, civil society experts and practitioners from across Europe gathered in four DIALOGUE ON EUROPE Thinking Labs to deliver fresh ideas and to independently elaborate concrete policy recommendations on four European key areas: Migration & Integration, Populism, Social Cohesion, and Sustainable Growth. Discover the summary of their proposals and the full-length policy briefs below! (more…)
“There has been a constant neglect of the migration reality”
Interview with Meike Behrends on migration and asylum policy in Germany
In 2015, almost one million asylum-seekers came to Germany and the country still has to cope with the repercussions of this development – in social, political and economic terms. Yet, migration and integration is not a new phenomenon to Germany. In this interview, Meike Behrends, an expert on European migration policy talks about the historic development of migration in Germany and how the country’s integration approach has changed during the last decades.
Migration crisis in Greece: the need for a European action plan
An expert interview with Dimitris Varadinis for #DialogueOnEurope
Long considered as an emigration country, Greece started receiving immigrants in the 90’s. Over the last few years, the country had to deal with huge number of newcomers and despite the engagement of the social society, it doesn’t have the means to properly assist them. Greek authorities repeatedly asked for the support of the other European member states, which are reluctant to take responsibility.
The French migration policy: a tragic lack of long-term vision
An expert interview with Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche for #DialogueOnEurope
Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche comments on the way France and Europe fail to deal with the so-called “refugee crisis”. If some improvements have been achieved, in particular regarding the relocation system, integration remains a major issue, even for second or third-generation immigrants.
Adapting to increased immigration: the problems faced by Italy
Insider perspective on working towards integration and refugee inclusion with Valentina Fabbri
In this interview for #DialogueOnEurope, Valentina Fabbri highlights flaws and particularities of the Italian system and its effects on refugees living in various capacities in Italy, comparing these to the European context.
Migration and Integration in Portugal: An example to follow?
A look at a country with one of the world's best level of protection for refugees' human rights, by Cláudia Pedra
Claudia Pedra, Director of the Network for Strategic and International Studies, comments on the way Portugal deals with the refugee crisis. Even in a country with one of the best asylum laws worldwide, integration and tolerance seem to remain problematic issues.
Migration & Integration at Paris Thinking Lab Summit
Opinions on Migration & Integration in the #DialogueOnEuropeDuring the second Thinking Lab Summit in Paris, Orange Magazine spoke to Patrícia Lisa and Ilias Antoniou about Migration & Integration. Here are their opinions.
CEAR: Towards a Dignified Life
Report on Discrimination and Persecution on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Within this report, CEAR (The Spanish Commission for Refugees) examines the situation of LGBT refugees both within Spain as their host-country and within their countries of origin. The analysis depicts the hardships of refugees that have to experience intersectional discrimination, stemming both from discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and discrimination due to their gender identity and sexual orientation.
The EU Must Focus on the Root Causes of Migration

Following the latest tragedy involving migrants, 28 members and leaders of the EU have initiated plans for a military operation to combat criminal gangs who smuggle refugees in thousands per ship. The details of the initiative still need to be clarified, and the body of water where the operation will cover needs to be decided. This will require Libya’s permission to destroy the smugglers’ boats in its territorial waters. The EU needs to obtain a mandate in order to operate under Chapter 7 of the United Nations (UN) charter.
Europe: Act now!
Spanish Commission for Refugees (CEAR) 2016 Report on the Situation of refugees in Spain and Europe
Within its 2016 report, CEAR displays the extent of global forced displacement and the search for asylum, especially within the European Union. CEAR criticises the EU-Turkey agreement and presents own policy proposals for the European Union and the Spanish government.
Introducing the Thinking Lab on Migration & Integration
16 engaged Europeans for concrete solutions to the refugee crisis and beyond
The Thinking Lab on Migration & Integration focuses on one of the most crucial challenges currently faced by the European Union. Within one year, based on the diverse experiences Southern European countries and Germany have so far gathered, the Lab will deliver a genuine European perspective on migration and integration policy. The concept of “people on the move” rather than “refugees” or “migrants” remains the center of the debate.
A young Spanish Generation “Trying Migration”
Interview with Cristina Faraco about Migration in Spain
The interview was conducted with Christina Faraco. She has studied Political Science and Sociology at the Complutense University of Madrid and is living in Germany since 1998, where she has been working on research projects on the field of migration (European Migration Center). Since 2009 Christina was responsible for different mobility projects and in 2013 founded “La Red e.V.“, an association supporting new immigrants in Berlin. Currently she works at the Competence Center of Immigration of “Minor – Projektkontor für Bildung und Forschung e.V.”.
A dialogue for “mutual understandings between and across European societies”
Global Diplomacy Lab highlights ongoing work of the Thinking Lab on Migration & Integration
On 28 June 2016 German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, together with the German Federal Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, officially launched the DIALOGUE ON EUROPE project at the Europasaal of the German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Patrícia Lisa, Member of Global Diplomacy Lab, wrote about the DIALOGUE ON EUROPE project and the ongoing multilateral Thinking Labs, including the Thinking Lab on Migration she participates in.