Background of the EAC project

Harmonisation in the EU requires common training

The asylum systems of the European countries are undergoing major changes with the aim of harmonising laws and practices. What was once an area of predominately national norms is now a common concern through the introduction of a number of EU legal instruments on asylum.

The harmonisation of these instruments into national law consequently requires a capacity build-up and trained officials with the ability to apply them. Whether being a Member State newly acceded to the Union, absorbing what is largely a new legal system or being an established Member State with the challenge of changing well-known habitual practices, the need for understanding the EU acquis will be paramount for national systems working effectively.

CEAS – a Common European Asylum System

On the horizon is also the establishment of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS) by the year 2012, envisaged by the European Council in the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum as well as in the Stockholm Programme.  These programs recognise that advancing the knowledge and skills in European asylum services is crucial to the establishment of CEAS and to the development of good practices and effective protection for refugees coming to our continent.

Joint training initiative for reduced disparities and higher quality

It is in light of this that a number of national authorities have decided to invest resources in the development of a European Asylum Curriculum with co-funding by the European Commission. The joint training initiative will be instrumental towards integration of European asylum procedures in the future as it introduces practical cooperation and common knowledge and understanding of core issues in the field of asylum.

A European Asylum Curriculum can contribute to greater consistency and higher quality decision and policy making, which will result in reduced disparities between the countries and increasing the likelihood of a fair and efficient procedure. This is both in the interest of the Member States and the individual asylum seeker.