The gap in labour market participation between natives and people with an immigrant background is... more The gap in labour market participation between natives and people with an immigrant background is significant in Belgium, one of the largest in the OECD. In this Policy Brief, we present research1 that investigated one of the possible causes of this poor performance, and we propose three main policy recommendations. The research project studied whether Belgium’s complex federal state structure, and the subsequent division of responsibilities and lack of intergovernmental cooperation helps to explain this poor performance. The study concluded that governance complexity does not appear to be a main cause for Belgium’s poor results. However, more policy coordination would improve policy efficiency. Issue 2015/2 • March 2015 can be found. The research also investigated what opportunities could arise from the sixth Belgian state reform to promote labour market participation of people with an immigrant background. After presenting
Dans le prolongement de l’enquête sur les Belgo-Marocains et Belgo-Turcs publiée en 2015[1], cett... more Dans le prolongement de l’enquête sur les Belgo-Marocains et Belgo-Turcs publiée en 2015[1], cette étude vise à cerner le profil sociodémographique des Congolais, Burundais et Rwandais de Belgique. Avec quelque 110.000 personnes, les Belgo-Congolais, Belgo-Rwandais et Belgo-Burundais forment le 3ème groupe le plus important de populations issues de l’immigration hors Union européenne. Pourtant, en dépit d’une histoire partagée avec notre pays, ces citoyens sont peu présents dans le débat public et paraissent mal connus au sein de la société. Cette enquête combine une recherche quantitative sur base d’un échantillon de 800 afro-descendants dans les trois régions du pays et une analyse qualitative basée sur des entretiens. Elle permet ainsi, pour la toute première fois, de mieux comprendre leurs positionnement et attitudes dans la société belge, envers leur pays d’origine, mais aussi de rendre compte de leur dynamique d’intégration et des difficultés qui restent prégnantes
By bundling the manifold policy expertise of the researchers of the Institute for European Studie... more By bundling the manifold policy expertise of the researchers of the Institute for European Studies (IES), this paper forms part of a series of analyses investigating the potential implications of a ‘Brexit’ scenario for different EU policies. All papers ask the same three questions: 1) What is the state of the EU policy in focus? 2) What is the UK’s role/interest in this policy field? 3) What are the potential implications of a ‘Brexit’ scenario at the policy-level? After Claire Dupont and Florian Trauner introduce the project, Richard Lewis sets the historical and cultural context and explains how the UK and the EU have come to such a low-point in their relations. Next, five policy fields are analysed: justice and home affairs; free movement policies; EU external representation; the (digital) single market; and environmental policy.
The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with p... more The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &
This document was commissioned under contract by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights... more This document was commissioned under contract by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) as background material for the project 'FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2020". The information and views contained in the document do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA. The document is made publicly available for transparency and information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion.
This Policy Brief elaborates on the changing role of the International Organization for Migration... more This Policy Brief elaborates on the changing role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in West Africa. In the wake of the 'migration crisis' of 2015 and 2016, the European Union (EU) has paid increasing attention to this African region, with the IOM implementing many of the new EU-funded projects. Building upon extensive fieldwork and research interviews in Dakar, Brussels and Accra, this policy brief demonstrates that the IOM has considerably extended its activities across the region, notably in areas such as capacity building and assisted voluntary return programs. However, this upgrade has brought about several challenges. African actors have started to contest IOM activities, notably if viewed to be biased in favor of European priorities. The policy brief concludes with a range of policy recommendations on how to enhance local ownership and better balance donor and African interests.
European migrant integration policy and the EU Action Plan on Integration After a period of relat... more European migrant integration policy and the EU Action Plan on Integration After a period of relatively little initiative on the topic of migrant integration at the EU level, in June 2016 the European Commission launched the 'EU Action Plan on Integration of third country nationals'. This Action Plan aims to set out a common policy framework for integration policies in the Member States, to support Member States' efforts in developing and strengthening their integration policies and to promote cooperation and policy coordination in the field of migrant integration. It includes actions across the different policy areas that are crucial for integration and describes the concrete measures the Commission will implement in this regard. The actions suggested by the Action Plan are divided across seven policy priorities, namely: predeparture and pre-arrival measures; education; labour-market and vocational training; access to basic services; active participation and social inclusion; as well as tools for coordination, funding and monitoring of policies. While it targets all third country
The gap in labour market participation between natives and people with an immigrant background is... more The gap in labour market participation between natives and people with an immigrant background is significant in Belgium, one of the largest in the OECD. In this Policy Brief, we present research1 that investigated one of the possible causes of this poor performance, and we propose three main policy recommendations. The research project studied whether Belgium’s complex federal state structure, and the subsequent division of responsibilities and lack of intergovernmental cooperation helps to explain this poor performance. The study concluded that governance complexity does not appear to be a main cause for Belgium’s poor results. However, more policy coordination would improve policy efficiency. Issue 2015/2 • March 2015 can be found. The research also investigated what opportunities could arise from the sixth Belgian state reform to promote labour market participation of people with an immigrant background. After presenting
Dans le prolongement de l’enquête sur les Belgo-Marocains et Belgo-Turcs publiée en 2015[1], cett... more Dans le prolongement de l’enquête sur les Belgo-Marocains et Belgo-Turcs publiée en 2015[1], cette étude vise à cerner le profil sociodémographique des Congolais, Burundais et Rwandais de Belgique. Avec quelque 110.000 personnes, les Belgo-Congolais, Belgo-Rwandais et Belgo-Burundais forment le 3ème groupe le plus important de populations issues de l’immigration hors Union européenne. Pourtant, en dépit d’une histoire partagée avec notre pays, ces citoyens sont peu présents dans le débat public et paraissent mal connus au sein de la société. Cette enquête combine une recherche quantitative sur base d’un échantillon de 800 afro-descendants dans les trois régions du pays et une analyse qualitative basée sur des entretiens. Elle permet ainsi, pour la toute première fois, de mieux comprendre leurs positionnement et attitudes dans la société belge, envers leur pays d’origine, mais aussi de rendre compte de leur dynamique d’intégration et des difficultés qui restent prégnantes
By bundling the manifold policy expertise of the researchers of the Institute for European Studie... more By bundling the manifold policy expertise of the researchers of the Institute for European Studies (IES), this paper forms part of a series of analyses investigating the potential implications of a ‘Brexit’ scenario for different EU policies. All papers ask the same three questions: 1) What is the state of the EU policy in focus? 2) What is the UK’s role/interest in this policy field? 3) What are the potential implications of a ‘Brexit’ scenario at the policy-level? After Claire Dupont and Florian Trauner introduce the project, Richard Lewis sets the historical and cultural context and explains how the UK and the EU have come to such a low-point in their relations. Next, five policy fields are analysed: justice and home affairs; free movement policies; EU external representation; the (digital) single market; and environmental policy.
The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with p... more The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &
This document was commissioned under contract by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights... more This document was commissioned under contract by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) as background material for the project 'FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2020". The information and views contained in the document do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA. The document is made publicly available for transparency and information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion.
This Policy Brief elaborates on the changing role of the International Organization for Migration... more This Policy Brief elaborates on the changing role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in West Africa. In the wake of the 'migration crisis' of 2015 and 2016, the European Union (EU) has paid increasing attention to this African region, with the IOM implementing many of the new EU-funded projects. Building upon extensive fieldwork and research interviews in Dakar, Brussels and Accra, this policy brief demonstrates that the IOM has considerably extended its activities across the region, notably in areas such as capacity building and assisted voluntary return programs. However, this upgrade has brought about several challenges. African actors have started to contest IOM activities, notably if viewed to be biased in favor of European priorities. The policy brief concludes with a range of policy recommendations on how to enhance local ownership and better balance donor and African interests.
European migrant integration policy and the EU Action Plan on Integration After a period of relat... more European migrant integration policy and the EU Action Plan on Integration After a period of relatively little initiative on the topic of migrant integration at the EU level, in June 2016 the European Commission launched the 'EU Action Plan on Integration of third country nationals'. This Action Plan aims to set out a common policy framework for integration policies in the Member States, to support Member States' efforts in developing and strengthening their integration policies and to promote cooperation and policy coordination in the field of migrant integration. It includes actions across the different policy areas that are crucial for integration and describes the concrete measures the Commission will implement in this regard. The actions suggested by the Action Plan are divided across seven policy priorities, namely: predeparture and pre-arrival measures; education; labour-market and vocational training; access to basic services; active participation and social inclusion; as well as tools for coordination, funding and monitoring of policies. While it targets all third country
Studies on EU–Africa migration cooperation often focus on the interests of the EU and its member ... more Studies on EU–Africa migration cooperation often focus on the interests of the EU and its member states. But what do African states themselves seek to achieve with respect to migration policy? This article presents an in-depth look at Ghana and Senegal, two stable West African democracies, and assesses which types of migration policies they support, and why. We suggest that a distinction ought to be made between West African policymakers’ more domestically-driven migration policy goals (to cooperate more closely with the diaspora or creating legal migration channels, for example) and internationally-induced ones (such as the reinforcement of border control capacities). Each type of policy interest is defended by an increasingly diverse set of national actors whose interests often – but not always – converge. This distinction should be considered as a continuum, as most West African migration policy preferences are driven by domestic as well as international factors, albeit to diverging degrees. Our findings demonstrate that migration policy-making in countries targeted by international cooperation can only be studied as an ‘intermestic’ policy issue, reflecting the dynamic interplay of international and domestic interests.
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