Political Platform for dialogue

Mission

Sessions

The Political Platform of the Council of Europe on Migration constitutes a formal structure that aims to establish regular regional dialogue on migration issues as recommended at the 7th Conference of European Ministers responsible for Migration Affairs (Helsinki, 2002). It brings together Council of Europe member States and interested countries from Africa and Asia with a view to promoting dialogue and partnership between countries of origin, transit and destination.

According to its terms of reference the Political Platform :

• Initiates dialogue and explores the possibilities for improved co-operation at different levels depending on the issues under discussion between government structures and ministries, parliamentary assemblies, local authorities and non-governmental organisations from the participating countries;

• Identifies migration challenges and explores the possibilities for orientating appropriate action and follow-up;

• Explores the possibilities for follow-up action to be undertaken by CDMG or other structures of the Council of Europe.

The Political Platform provides a forum within which representatives of governments, parliaments, local authorities and NGOs as well as other international organisations can discuss the development of policy and set standards on migration that respect a human rights.

The Political Platform meets for one day during meetings of CDMG.

6th Session - Strasbourg

6-7 November 2006 - on theme of challenges for the countries of origin and regional co-operation with special focus on Euro-Mediterranean region and West Africa.

5th Session - Athens

21 October 2005 - on theme of the portrayal of images of migrants in the media and the information that should be made available in countries of destination in order to improve the reception of migrants.

4th session

21 April 2005 on the themes of co-development between North and South and how countries of origin maintain links with their migrants.

3rd session

25 October 2004, on the theme of unaccompanied minors and the situation of undocumented children ,

2nd Session

14 May 2004, on the theme of student mobility and development

1st Session- Rotterdam

10 December 2003, on the theme of the role of information and its contribution to the harmonised management of migration flows, and integration of migrants as a factor of development