On 13 July 2016, a set of proposals was presented to reform the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), including to replace the current Qualification Directive with a Regulation and to amend the Reception Conditions Directive. While previous versions of the CEAS raised common standards regarding the integration of beneficiaries of international protection, several of these new proposals appear to lower standards by introducing restrictive measures. Many NGOs have questioned whether these restrictions are effective for improving integration outcomes, and see a potentially major risk for integration.

This Policy Dialogue took place as the reform package is being reviewed at the European Parliament and in the Council of the EU. Speakers discussed the likely impact of the recast Reception Conditions Directive and new Qualification Regulation on refugee integration, debated the social consequences of the proposals, and took part in a question and answer session.

Speakers included: Yves Pascouau, Director of Migration and Mobility Policies, European Policy Centre, Judit Tanczos, Legal Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group (MPG), Catherine Woollard, Secretary General, European Council on Refugees and Exiles, Bori Szigeti, Policy Officer, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, Lars-Erik Fjellström, Legal Counsellor, Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU