A European conference on the reception of asylum seekers highlighted the importance of transferring and sharing good practices between organisations.

The conference was organised by the Organisation for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers in collaboration with the European Network of Asylum Reception Organisations (Enaro), and the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers.

Dr Charles Watters from the European Centre for the Study of Migration, Health and Social Care within the University of Kent in the UK spoke about a report drawn up about project Hub. The Hub, was a project funded by the European Commission and explores the development of a knowledge hub about difference asylum reception methods in different countries.

Dr Watters said there are many good practices being used all over Europe and described the transfer of knowledge and the sharing of experiences as “the cornerstone” of the project.

The 60-page report draws on reports from 11 countries, including Malta, produced by asylum reception practitioners participating in the project through the 2007 Enaro staff exchange.

The report states that “Malta provides an interesting example of reception arrangements. It operates largely on the presupposition that those arriving in the country are in transit with aspirations to move on to another European and industrialised country.”

The aim of the project is to pinpoint knowledge gaps across the network in relation to the implementation of the Council Directive relating to the laying down of minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers.