What are the causes and nature of current migration processes? How can migration flows be managed and influenced? How can societies maintain social cohesion and societal viability? Hoe can scientists, policy makers and practitioners in the field exchange knowledge and experience? Answering these kind of questions is what catalysed IMISCOE’s establishment and what continues to compel the Network’s raison d’être.

Research: the present common programme of activities and facilities shall be maintained and expanded in line with the special expertise present within the network. Starting from a predefined basic input of researchers and PhD candidates from the participant institutions; the network will use its resources to undertake common activities. The development of common lines of research will be primarily research-driven. The IMISCOE Research Network defines its relevance for society in general and policy and politics in particular as derived from its theory-based, analytical contribution.

Training: training of young researchers in the domain covered by the Network is an essential task of the Network. By pooling resources and experience of the partners, the Network will deliver the highest quality training to all members of the network and make long-term investments in the field in general by opening up training facilities to non-members. PhD training has the highest priority. Training for non-researchers can be made available on request and externally financed.

Communication: the IMISCOE Research Network intends to maintain and expand its channels and facilities to make the results of its research available to the public at large as well as to politicians, policymakers and other stakeholders. Its ambition is to make a difference in public perception and policymaking by contributing sound, knowledge-based information. The extent to which specific dissemination is done by the Network, however, is dependent on external funding.