INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON “PROBLEMS ARISING FROM MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS OF REFUGEES, ETHNIC MINORITIES AND MIGRANTS”. ATHENS. 23rd ‐ 26th OCTOBER 1986
| Date | 01 March 1987 |
| Published date | 01 March 1987 |
| Author | P. BETHLENFALVY |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2435.1987.tb00128.x |
Information
INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON ‘PROBLEMS ARISING
FROM MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS OF REFUGEES,
ETHNIC MINORITIES AND MIGRANTS’.
ATHENS. 23rd
-
26th OCTOBER 1986
The European Commission has implemented a
four year European Programme to Combat Po-
verty effective as of December 1985. This pro-
gramme is based
on
experience and recommen-
dations of a similar programme implemented
within the period 1975 to 1980. The present pro-
gramme involved in 1986, 65 action research
projects operating in various social fields in the
member states of the European Community.
From these 65 action research projects
10
to
11
are directly concerned with refugees, ethnic mi-
norities and migrants.
The Animation and Coordination Service of
the Programme in collaboration with the Doc-
Lap-Centre Stuttgart, FRG, the projects invol-
ved and the relevant international organizations
has organized the first roundtable
on
‘Problems
Arising from Migratory Movements of Refu-
gees, Migrants and Ethnic Minorities’ 23rd to
26th October 1986 in Athens Greece.
The participants of the roundtable discussed
thoroughly the implementation of the aims and
methods set by the European Programme to
Combat Poverty in order to throw more light
on
urgent needs of the refugees, ethnic minorities
and/or migrants seeking permanent settlement
in the member states of the European Commu-
nity or those voluntarily returning to their res-
pective native country.
The participants of the roundtable noted with
concern that in spite of high standards of living
in the member states of the European Commu-
nity there are sections of population such as the
so-called ‘Geneva Convention Refugees’, ‘de
facto’ refugees, refugees or migrants in irregular
situation, asylum seekers, ethnic minorities, mi-
grants or aliens whose income, social and
legal
status as well as living conditions and accommo-
dation is often below generally accepted stan-
dards such as poverty line.
Considering innovative action in order to alle-
viate the situation of the growing number of
impoverished aliens, especially those who were
forced to leave their native country or the coun-
try of habitual residence for political or other
seriously compelling reasons and seek tempora-
ry or permanent residence in the member states
of the European Community, the participants
urged the responsible authorities of the member
states, the pertinent inter-governmental and in-
ternational organizations to support the imple-
mentation of aims and methods set by the Euro-
pean Programme to Combat Poverty.
The project directors welcomed this opportu-
nity to discuss the matters of concern with the
European Council, Intergovernmental Commit-
tee for Migration, United Nations High Com-
missioner for Refugees and a number of volun-
tary agencies such as the Lutheran World Fede-
ration, the World Council of Churches, etc.
In
particular it was felt that the material produced
by the European Council and the Intergovern-
mental Committee for Migration, the High
Commissioner for Refiggees are especially va-
luable
to
the work of the action research projects
concerned with Refugees, Ethnic Minorities and
Migrants, furthered by the European Program-
me to Combat Poverty.
The participants of the roundtable welcomed
that specific problems occuring in structurally
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