In November 2017, the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography (KCMD) and IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) co-organized the expert workshop Big Data and alternative data sources on migration: from case-studies to policy support in Ispra (Italy). The workshop gathered academics and experts, policymakers and representatives from the private sector to discuss the state-of-the-art in data innovations in the field of migration, and identify practical steps to overcome obstacles towards more widespread use of big data for migration analysis and policymaking. As a way to facilitate these investments, the EC’s KCMD and IOM’s GMDAC propose to create a Big Data for Migration Alliance (BD4M). 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.

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