Mr TACON provided a broad overview of the historical trends of migration to and in Europe, and how they stand today. He discussed the implications of these trends, and outlined some of the policy-related thinking about the opportunities and challenges, which are primarily economic (improving levels of skills in countries of destination and offsetting ageing) on the one hand, and economic, human rights-based and social on the other. He then outlined some of the actions that have been undertaken in relation to these opportunities and challenges.

In doing so, Mr TACON provided a springboard for further discussion on this topic which aroused widespread debate and cut across different areas of society, the economy, culture and governance.