On the occasion of the international migrants day, this conference will inter alia focus on how to integrate and support refugees and on which role Flemish authorities can play in the current crisis.

In the context of the unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants, the COMECE wishes to look behind the immediate horizon of the crisis and consider how best to integrate migrants into the host society.

"Inburgering" and Integration are being quantitatively and qualitatively brought to light and examined in several specific fields: education, living conditions, labour market, entrepreneurship and rights.

As from 9 November 2015, an asylum seeker can obtain a C work permit four months after applying for asylum. The 6 month period was cut to 4 months by a Royal Decree which entered into force today.

The declaration presenting some of the key principles of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Belgian Constitution will be submitted to foreigners arriving in the country.

The Centre for Ethnic and Migration Studies (CEDEM) of the University of Liège will hold a scientific thematic workshop on “Religion and the political participation and mobilization of immigrant groups: a transatlantic perspective”

The first meeting of the European Migration Forum will take place on 26-27 January 2015 in Brussels. Through a participatory approach and the involvement of civil society organizations, the European Migration Forum will provide a platform for exchanges on migration, asylum and integration issues.

Under the Italian Presidency of the European Union a two days conference on European Migration Policy and Integration is organized in Rome on 17-18 December 2014.

This meeting will discuss the dynamics by which migrants get stuck in low-skilled work, and the role of training and employment services in helping them progress in their occupations.

Since 13 November 2014 and until May 2015, Belgium is chairing the Committee of Ministers, the political decision making organ of the Council of Europe. Under the Belgian Presidency, migration and asylum will be part of the issues tackled.

Eurostat published data on first residence permits issued to non-EU nationals. A residence permit represents an authorization issued by the competent authorities of a country allowing third-country national (non-EU citizens) to stay legally on its territory.

The European Commission published on 26 September 2014 a handbook to help EU Member States take action against marriages of convenience between EU citizens and non-EU nationals in the context of EU law on free movement. The Commission prepared the handbook in close cooperation with Member States.

The IOM Country Office for Belgium and Luxembourg organize an event to illustrate the positive contribution of migrants, in various domains and to highlight some concrete examples of their contributions to the host societies at the international, European, and Belgian levels.

This International Symposium aims to discuss the current challenges of migration and integration in Europe, and to reignite the debate about an EU-wide strategy to improve integration policies across Member States.