Learn what Europe Day is, why it is celebrated on 9 May, and how EMN Austria connects Austria and the European Union by providing reliable, evidence-based information on migration policies, research, and public dialogue.
What is Europe Day and why is it celebrated?
Europe Day, celebrated annually on 9 May, stands for peace and unity in Europe. It commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, a historic proposal that laid the foundations of today’s European Union by promoting cooperation between European countries to ensure lasting peace after World War II.
Today, Europe Day is not only a historical commemoration but also a reminder of the importance of European cooperation in addressing shared challenges – including in the area of migration.
Why migration matters in the European context
Migration is a key policy area shaped by European cooperation. As mobility across borders continues to evolve, EU Member States rely on accurate, comparable and up-to-date information to support evidence-based policymaking and informed public debate.
This need for reliable migration knowledge is where the European Migration Network (EMN) assumes a central role.
What is the European Migration Network (EMN)?
The European Migration Network (EMN) is a network composed of 26 EU Member Countries and 9 Observer Countries outside the EU.
It was established in 2008 (Council Decision 2008/381/EC) and is coordinated by the European Commission.
The EMN provides policymakers, researchers, and the public with up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum in Europe, supporting both policymaking and public understanding of migration-related topics.
EMN Austria: connecting Austria to Europe
In Austria, the EMN is implemented by the IOM Country Office for Austria. The IOM Country Office serves as the EMN’s National Contact Point in Austria and has been mandated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
As EMN Austria, the IOM Country Office acts as an interface between Austria and the European Union: information on migration and asylum in Austria is compiled and made available to EU institutions; conversely, data and evidence from EU Member States are provided to Austrian stakeholders.
What does EMN Austria do?
EMN Austria contributes to evidence-based migration policy and public dialogue through several core activities:
1. Migration research and analysis
Providing up-to-date information on:
- migration policies and legislation in Austria and Europe
- migration statistics
- public discourse on migration
These publications support evidence-based policymaking and comparative understanding across Europe.
2. Events and stakeholder exchange
Organizing events that foster exchange between:
- policymakers
- migration experts
- practitioners
- and the wider public
These exchanges promote dialogue, share good practices, and strengthen cooperation across sectors.
3. EMN Glossary
Maintaining the EMN Glossary, a Europe-wide multilingual reference tool with more than 550 migration-related terms and concepts translated into 27 languages, supporting a shared understanding of migration terminology across Europe.
4. Communication and dissemination
EMN Austria regularly provides updates on:
- Publications and research findings
- Events and activities
via its website www.emn.at and the EMN Austria newsletter.
EMN Austria’s role in Europe Day
Europe Day highlights the importance of transparency, cooperation and shared understanding across Europe. EMN Austria contributes by acting as a knowledge bridge between Austria and the European Union, by preparing and communicationg European migration information, EMN Austria strengthens the connection between the EU and national actors and makes complex migration policy content accessible to a wider public.
By translating European migration knowledge into accessible formats, EMN Austria supports informed public debate and strengthens the connection between EU-level evidence and Austrian stakeholders.