It is often argued that there is a paucity of data on migration. While this is broadly true, there is in fact an abundance of data being produced which could inform migration policy but which has yet to be fully utilized.

Vast amounts of data are generated through the use of mobile phones, internet-based platforms and other digital devices in real time, at very little cost. These “digital crumbs” can offer important insights into societal phenomena, including migration, as shown by an increasing number of studies and initiatives.

On June the 25th, in Bruxelles, the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography (KCMD) and IOM's Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) launched the Big Data for Migration Alliance (BD4M) to advance discussions on how to harness the potential of big data sources for the analysis of migration and its relevance for policymaking, while ensuring the ethical use of data and the protection of individuals’ privacy.

By promoting collaborations across sectors and active dialogue with policymakers, the Alliance aims to harness the potential of big data sources for migration analysis and policymaking, while addressing issues of confidentiality, security and ethical use of data. As conveners of BD4M, the EC’s KCMD and IOM’s GMDAC would welcome the participation of representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations, members of national statistical offices, private sector representatives, researchers and data scientists interested in contributing, in various capacities, to realizing the potential of data innovation in the field of migration.

SoBigData is member of the Big Data for Migration Alliance. During the launch event SoBigData partecipated in the discussion with a brief explanation regarding the projects of the exploratory on migration.

Agenda

European Commission

CDMA Atrium Rue du Champ de Mars 21, 1050 Brussels

25 June 2018

10:00 - 10:30 Arrival and networking coffee

12:00 - 13:00 Reception 10:30 - 12:00 Opening remarks Charlina Vitcheva, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), and Eugenio Ambrosi, Regional Director of IOM's Regional Office for the EU, Norway and Switzerland Why the Big Data for Migration Alliance? Alessandra Zampieri, Head of the Demography Migration and Governance Unit, JRC, and Frank Laczko, Director of IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (IOM – GMDAC) BD4M planned activities: the Joint Concept Note Marzia Rango, research officer, IOM – GMDAC Big Data for Migration: preliminary BD4M results, and a new dataset for migration using social media Michele Vespe, scientific officer, JRC

Discussion, All