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.

CRIPEL and CEDEM Ulg organize a study afternoon to present the key elements of the reform and address other questions including integration, access to social rights and work market.

At the occasion of this Itinera event, various experts, including Dirk Jacobs (ULB) and Jasper Dag Tjaden (Migration Policy Group), gave their vision from both a Belgian and European perspective on "Education & Integration".

Today, the law from 4 December 2012 modifying the Belgian Nationality Code with a view to making the aquisition of nationality neutral from an immigration point of view, was published.

During this discussion on the integration of newcomers in Wallonie, three projects will be examined more closely, namely the CIRÉ desk for newcomers in Ixelles, the regional integration centre in Charleroi and Couleur Cafe in Malmedy.

A press release of the national bank of Belgium indicates that the employment rate of persons born in a non-EU country is the lowest of all Member States, namely 45.8 % in 2011.

Today, thanks to the Charles Ullens Price, the President of the King Baudouin Foundation, Ms Françoise Tulkens, rewarded the work of six young researchers on various challenges related to migration and integration.

This conference will close the ARCKA project « Assessing, recognizing competences and certifying knowledge acquisition valuing human capital of children of foreign origin in education and training in Europe » that is cofinanced by the European Commission.

The Symposium provides a platform for key stakeholders to disseminate knowledge on the most sustainable and successful integration strategies, which involve both migrants and the host societies at a multi-sector level.

At the occacion of the presentation of the Belgian results of the Immigrant Citizens Survey in a European context, the King Baudouin Foundation organises a Conference in Brussels where professionals and policy-makers can share opinions and findings.