Connecting Minds for Integration: Highlights from the 13th Annual Meeting of the European Website on Integration
On 25-26 September 2024, MPG connected officials leading the European Commission (EC)’s work on migrant integration with civil society and academia representatives from across the 27 EU countries. This took place as part of the 13th Annual Editorial Meeting of the European Website on Integration (EWSI).
MPG has been working for the European Website on Integration (EWSI) since 2007. The website is owned by the EC’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and is the only EU-wide source bringing up-to-date information and good practices on migrant integration. MPG coordinates a network of integration experts across the EU, and leads on content and website management to cater to the evolving needs of integration stakeholders.
For over a decade now, MPG has convened annual meetings allowing the EC to hear directly from integration experts from the EU27. This year’s event included round table discussions about priority areas of integration, including education and training, housing, health and the role of local and regional authorities. These same topics are also embedded in the EC’s Action plan on integration and inclusion 2021-2027 – the document guiding integration efforts across the EU over the current programming period.
“This website, unique in its scope in the EU, has been steadily growing in popularity among its readers. And we are also thrilled to see it being increasingly and strategically used by the European Commission in their important work on integration” said MPG’s Director Isabelle Chopin opening the event.
Indeed, over the past five year, website visits have scored annual hikes of 40 to 121%. Through EWSI, MPG and the network of experts also help fill in knowledge gaps for the EC policy makers, as well as for other integration stakeholders across the Union. Recent examples of publications tailored to the needs of the EC include an analysis on challenges and good practices in the areas of housing, and an analysis on bridging courses and qualification recognition.
Before the end of the year, EWSI will also launch a public tracker on the progress of the implementation of the EC’s Action plan on integration and inclusion 2021-2027. Stay tuned and subscribe to the EWSI newsletter.
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.