The right to asylum is a subject that is fervently debated across Europe
The right to asylum is a subject that is fervently debated across Europe. The duties of assistance towards refugees are a matter of controversy in the public opinion of several countries and are discussed under challenging circumstances. The size of migration flows stokes fears of cultural conflicts with the newcomers. In the face of a continuous flow of asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean, the European Union is discussing a reform of the European Asylum System to meet potentially conflicting expectations of humanitarian aid and border control. The reform proposals include harmonising the standards of assistance and reception, a European procedure for granting international protection status, and redistributing the costs of assistance among member states.
In this context, on April 18th, an online conference titled “The integration of refugees in Portugal: an evaluation of moral duties of assistance and integration policies in the context of European policies and values” was held. This event, part of the monthly “Meetings on Migration Experiences”, was organized by CIES-iscte, CRIA-iscte, and the Emigration Observatory. The team of Consultis, Portugal presented the project concept.