EPIM Policy Update April 2018. Elections in Hungary & Italy - A German-Franco alliance? - Progress on CEAS

This EPIM policy update covers the elections in Italy and Hungary, which both highlighted the continued significance of immigration for European electorates. Attempts at forming a new government in Italy and Viktor Orbán’s plans for his new term in Hungary will be closely watched in the weeks and months ahead. In the closer look section, the Migration Policy Group presents a new Europe-wide campaign on migration with the objective of engaging the public and influencing EU migration policy. The policy update’s special focus deals with the coalition agreement in Germany and the proposal for a new immigration bill in France. It also considers to what extent a German-Franco alliance on immigration policies could emerge at EU level and how this would impact on a number of ongoing discussions on EU migration policy reforms. This issue also examines the findings of the Court of Justice in the ‘A and S’ and ‘Pisciotti’ cases. Further sections report on progress made on the drafts of the UN Global Compacts and reflect on the second anniversary of the EU-Turkey Statement. This EPIM policy update looks at the latest developments in the negotiations of the legislative reforms of the Eurodac Regulation, the Dublin Regulation, the Reception Conditions Directive and the Asylum Procedures Directive. Finally, this policy update also includes a list of funding opportunities and calls

Tackling irregular migration through development-a flawed approach? EPC Discussion paper, 22 May 2017

Faced with a large influx of asylum seekers in recent years, but little agreement among member states on how to share the burden, the European Union (EU) is increasingly turning to third countries to stem the flow. This push for external action focuses on tackling the 'root causes of migration' as well as strengthening third countries' migration management efforts. The current approach is based on the premise that increasing development aid to developing countries will reduce the stimulus for emigration. At the same time, the principle of conditionality has emerged as a means of ensuring cooperation on operational matters such as border control and readmission. Development assistance is thus becoming an incentive for third countries to cooperate with the EU on migration management

EPIM Policy Update July 2018

This EPIM policy update covers the June European Council Summit and the developments leading up to it. Whilst the Council conclusions are not ground-breaking, two points deserve attention. Firstly, they include the concept of ‘regional disembarkation platforms’ as a new approach to processing those who are saved in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations outside of the EU. Secondly, they mention ‘controlled centres’ within member states to provide for rapid processing of asylum seekers and other migrants. As further explored in this update’s special focus section, serious questions remain concerning the implications for human rights protection and the feasibility of these new approaches

Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades

Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES). A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change

Grand challenges in entomology: priorities for action in the coming decades

1. Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. 2. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES). 3. A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. 4. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). 5. Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. 6. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change

Grand challenges in entomology: priorities for action in the coming decades

Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES). A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change