Assembly
debate on 24 June 2021 (21st sitting) (see Doc. 15250, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and
Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Paulo Pisco). Text adopted by the Assembly on
24 June 2021 (21st sitting).
1. Referring to its Resolution 2388 (2021) “For
a European policy on diasporas”, the Parliamentary Assembly emphasises
the importance of providing support to European States in order
to develop effective diaspora engagement policies by creating a
European institutional and political framework for co-operation between
governments and diasporas.
2. The Assembly considers that the Council of Europe could play
a major role in formulating a European policy on diasporas, taking
into account the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary
General on Migration and Refugees, and the newly established Steering
Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI),
and by bringing together the multiple actors that shape national
diaspora policies, namely parliaments, governments, diaspora associations,
non-governmental organisations, the media and research institutions.
In this context it invites the Committee of Ministers to:
2.1 draft a White Paper on good
practices for diaspora engagement within member States;
2.2 design a methodology for mapping diasporas and carrying
out an evaluation of diaspora engagement strategies, in the light
of Council of Europe standards for integration and inclusion;
2.3 establish a European forum of diasporas as a platform
for international exchanges between different diaspora communities;
2.4 encourage the Congress of Regional and Local Authorities
of the Council of Europe to consider the role of local and regional
authorities in engaging and co-operating with diaspora members in
devising and implementing measures aimed at promoting integration
and avoiding exclusion, xenophobia, radicalisation and extremism.
