HELLO EUROPE POLICY UNIT UPDATE.

In Brussels, we are all awaiting the European Commission to unveil its new Pact on Migration and Asylum, to be expected after Easter.

Since last December, the Commissioners in charge of migration -Margaritis Schinas and Ylva Johansson- have been touring the 27 EU capitals to forge a new consensus on migration and asylum. Despite hopes for a fresh and forward-looking agenda, the humanitarian crisis at the Greek-Turkish border and EU’s response to it do not seem to lead in that direction.

National divisions seem irreconcilable when it comes to allocating responsibility for refugees and showing solidarity with frontline Member States. Protecting the borders and preventing new arrivals continue to be the main guiding principle. 

 In the first months of 2020, we have continued to establish new connections in Brussels, with a special focus on local and regional organizations, and partnered up for events and workshops to bring our Hellopreneurs to the table. Hello Europe was also invited to take part in a consultation with policymakers and practitioners organized by Friends of Europe to exchange ideas and share upcoming projects in the fields of migration and inclusion. Following the meeting, a network has been established to continue this dialogue and we are glad to be part of it.

 In light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Europe, we have been prompted to postpone many of our activities, such as the fourth conference on “Social Innovation for Refugee Inclusion” organized together with the Migration Policy Institute. We have moved our work online in order to adapt to the current situation.

 Migrants and people on the move are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and our Hellopreneurs are developing inspiring and innovative ideas to support them in these times. We are aiming to bring these innovations to the attention of policymakers during an online salon in April.