policy & advocacy work

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policy development & research

ECRE's policy work aims to demonstrate that the needs of refugees and the interests of European host states are not mutually exclusive, but can be realised simultaneously through policies which are principled as well as pragmatic. This work ranges from immediate reactions to governmental and intergovernmental policy to longer-term research and discussion projects. It is "action oriented", aiming always to make specific recommendations. It is firmly based on international human rights and refugee law.

ECRE has developed more than twenty policy positions which provide wide-ranging guidance for decision-makers. They are used extensively in ECRE's advocacy work.

advocacy in the EU

ECRE's advocacy work is carried out primarily through its member agencies and the Secretariat's office in Brussels. 

ECRE monitors developments in asylum and refugee policy within the institutions of the European Union. The Brussels office undertakes advocacy initiatives aimed at influencing the evolution of existing policy and the future EU agenda.

The Brussels office informs the London office and the ECRE member agencies on refugee-related developments in the EU agenda. It furthermore co-ordinates the ECRE Advocacy Network (ECRAN), consisting of policy advocates in the ECRE member agencies. This network carries out advocacy activities on European refugee issues at the national level. ECRAN meets biannually to discuss advocacy techniques and to devise strategies.

European legal network on asylum (ELENA)

ELENA is a forum for legal practitioners who aim to promote the highest human rights standards for the treatment of refugees, asylum seekers and other persons in need of international protection in their daily counselling and advocacy work. The ELENA network extends across 25 central and western European states and involves some 2,000 lawyers and legal counsellors.

ELENA in collaboration with Asylumlaw.org runs a private discussion forum for asylum lawyers to facilitate networking and exchange of information between legal practitioners around the world.  To register visit http://www.asylumlaw.org/registration/

ELENA's objectives are pursued by:

• providing and reinforcing contact between practicing lawyers and legal counsellors in different European countries who work on asylum cases;
• facilitating the exchange of information and experience between these lawyers and legal counsellors;
• studying the implementation of national and international law relating to refugees;
• organising seminars on specific topics relating to refugee law and making results available to practicing lawyers;
• promoting the development of national networks of lawyers specialising in asylum law.

Read more about ELENA training courses, publications, networking and structure.