"A properly-managed migration might be beneficial to the Union, but it still poses some major challenges. Now more than ever, the political leaders have to adjust these strategies to a fast-developing scenario". Franco Frattini, deputy president of the EU Commission, announces the establishment of a European Migration Policy Centre, or Empc, which might be opened in Autumn 2008. Frattini explains: "It is urgent for research in the area of migration to concentrate more on the new challenges of globalisation. The main purpose of the new European Migration Policy Centre will be to translate such research into realistic political recommendations, thus contributing to steer the EU’s future strategic options". One of the purposes of the Empc is research and study in the area, the establishment of special databanks on the dimension of migration, analyses of the economic, demographic and social implications on the 27 member states. The Centre will be based at the European University of Florence, "which is already conducting very specific research work in the area of European and international migration policies".
