The European Migration Network (EMN) was set up, as a pilot action, by the Commission in 2002 under the responsibility of the Directorate General for Justice, Freedom and Security and, since 2003, as a preparatory action, lasting until the end of 2006. A legal basis for the EMN after this time is currently being considered.

The overall objective of the EMN is to improve the availability of and access to information concerning migration and asylum at European and Member State level in order to support policy- and decision-making in the EU.

The network consists of National Contact Points (NCPs), that have been designated by the Member States, each of whom are in turn also involved in the development of a national network.

This cd-rom has a dual role: to provide the users with a wide range of Information Tools on the EMN, and to present the results of a Pilot Research Study on the Impact of Immigration on Europe's Societies. With regard to the Information Tools, they are designed to meet the needs of all users: from 'surfers' requiring a quick overview of the EMN to 'searchers' who want an in-depth analysis of EMN activities. The Pilot Research Study is the result of a collaboration between nine of the EMN NCPs: Austria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.