This conference takes place within the framework of the project "Awareness raising of the risks associated with irregular migration and support to vocational reintegration of migrants in the Republic of Congo" (2011-2012).

In a strategic Communication adopted today, the Commission examines how the implementation and development of the common visa policy could help growth in the EU by facilitating travel opportunities for third country nationals willing to visit the EU.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) achieved a Political Agreement on the Reception Conditions Directive, discussed recent developments in Syria and council conclusions were endorsed concerning the new EU strategy to combat human trafficking.

This Conference, organised by the EMN CY NCP within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, will support the policymaking process in the field of immigration and international students, notably in the development of the planned review of Council Directive 2004/114/EC.

This year's annual conference of the Academy of European Law will focus on the role of European agencies in the migration process as well as the impact of the CFR especially in asylum matters.

CIRÉ, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen and ADDE organize a practical training to familiarize participants with the functioning of the ECHR, allowing them to identify cases to be appealed to the Court.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives approved a proposition to tighten the conditions for acquiring the Belgian nationality. When the draft becomes law (probably on 1 January 2013), there will be integration requirements to acquire the Belgian nationality.

On 23 October, Maggie De Block answered many questions inter alia related to the European platform for the repatriation of unaccompanied minors (ERPUM).

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.

The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism organises a conference to confront situations of differences of treatment of migrants on the basis of their residence status with the principle of non-discrimination.

The October edition of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) newsletter has been published. EASO has also recently published its work programme for 2013.

Kruispunt Migratie Integratie organizes a study day in Antwerp for specialists to analyze current practices and case-law on Article 9ter and discuss whether sick persons are sufficiently well-protected under the Aliens Law.

The ADDE proposes a cycle of 5 training sessions focusing on residence, protection statuses, work, social assistance, nationality, statelessness and international private family law. It is intended for social workers, legal advisers, lawyers and officials dealing with these issues.

To mark the 6th EU Anti-Trafficking Day, the Cyprus EU Presidency and the European Commission are organising the conference 'Working together towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings: The Way Forward'

The latest statistics on asylum applications lodged in industrialized countries have been published today. The data covers the first half of 2012 in comparison to the first half of 2011.