ESC: BE THE VOICE

MISSION, VISION AND STUCTURES: JRS-E is an AISBL created in 2004, based in Brussels. JRS-E is part of the Jesuit Refugee Service, a worldwide non-governmental organization currently present in over 50 countries. JRS-E mandate is to accompany, serve and advocate with and for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. Through its daily work, JRS-E aims to protect and improve the recognition of the fundamental rights of forced migrants. JRS-E strives to raise public awareness in order to foster an inclusive society for this group. MAIN ACTIVITIES: 1) Coordination and support to 20 national JRS offices in Europe, of which 15 are based in EU MS http://jrseurope.org/serve?LID=778&L=EN; 2) Development, implementation, and evaluation of joint EU wide programs and actions with 20 national JRS country offices, involving JRS staff and volunteers on relevant topics on forced migrants and refugees rights; 3) Policy and Advocacy work based on the analysis of the relevant legislation and direct advocacy towards the key stakeholders at the EU level; 4) Strategic planning; 5) Communication and media. JRS-E analyses, gives input and reacts to developments in the EU legislation that can impact on the protection needs and fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and the forcibly displaced. To fulfill its mandate, JRS-E attends regularly conferences and meeting in the European Parliament, meets regularly with MEPs, and keeps contacts with the relevant directorates general and units of the European Commission, in particular within DG Home and DG Justice. JRS-E coordinates and implements projects with national JRS offices and other NGO partners, about EU member states legal practices and conditions for asylum seekers and forced migrants in the EU, including on issues such as administrative detention, forced migrant’s destitution and externalization of asylum and border management, and community building initiatives such as Communities of Hospitality with migrants and local volunteers, or school classroom actions to counter racism and xenophobia. The organisation is registered with the EU Transparency register. JRS-E regularly coordinates and undertakes several EU and privately funded projects in collaboration with its country offices. These projects generally result in the publication of an analytical report, with policy recommendations that are drawn from the conclusions of the research and implementation and dissemination of results jointly with volunteers and local communities of hospitality with refugees and migrants. The findings are often, but not only, disseminated during a final conference either at the national or the EU level, and through awareness rising and outreach through social media and advocacy campaigns. In addition, JRS-E frequently intervenes as an expert during seminars and conferences on ad hoc issues relating to forced migrants consistent with its mandate. Besides the national offices, JRS-Europe is also part of other networks such as ECRE, PICUM, EPC, EPAM or the International Detention Coalition (IDC).