Perspectives on migration

The COVID-19 pandemic has somehow downplayed the problem of immigration across the EU, forcing member states to reframe migrants as “essential workers” rather than a potential security threat. Yet, the issue is far from being normalised for the majority of European citizens, and the war in Ukraine has brought to the surface some double standards when it comes to accepting migrants, asylum seekers, as well as irregular migrants entering EU countries without a visa.

There is a need to debunk anti-immigration “myths” across the EU to understand whether and how migration could represent an opportunity for sustainable social and economic development. Against this backdrop, the event aimed to assess the phenomenon from both a political and an economic angle, taking into consideration the perspectives of Italy, Germany and Poland.

On the occasion of this event, a policy brief series on debunking double standards on migration was presented and will soon be released.

AGENDA

Welcome Remarks

• Rolando Marini, Prorector, Università per Stranieri di Perugia
• Hedwig Giusto, FEPS Senior Research Fellow and Editor-in-chief of the Progressive Post
• Tobias Mörschel, Director, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung – Rome

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Cecilia Emma Sottilotta, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Università per Stranieri di Perugia

Speakers

• Sara Bojarczuk, Researcher, Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw, Poland
• Victoria Rietig, Head of Migration Program, German Council on Foreign Relations, Germany
• Andrea De Petris, Scientific Director, Centre for European Policy Network, Italy

Discussants

• Krzysztof Nowaczek, Deputy Head of Migration Management Response Unit, Directorate-General Migration & Home Affairs, European Commission
• Christian Richmond, Founder, Mygrants

Conclusions
Eleonora Poli, Head of Research, Centre for European Policy Network, Italy