The EU-Africa migration agenda – realising a new partnership
Date
Time (GMT +01)
17:30 19:00
Image credit:Flags of the member states of the European Union in front of the EU-commission building "Berlaymont" in Brussels.
Image license:Christian Lue / Unsplash
Description
Please note that this is a hybrid event on Wednesday 24 April with the in-person session taking place in Brussels from 17:30 - 19:00 CET (16:30 - 18:00 GMT).
This event will take place at Atelier 29 Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29, 1000 Brussels and will be followed by a networking reception.
Please register to attend either in-person or online here.
Migration has been a controversial theme across Europe for many years now, with particular implications for the EU’s partnership with Africa. At the same time, there is extensive evidence that migration has the potential to help alleviate many of the great global challenges, including poverty and the impacts of climate change. While in Europe migration is often presented as a ‘problem to be tackled’, the discourse in Africa is more strongly oriented towards the opportunities of migration. And while the EU has focused on using aid to reduce irregular migration and support return and reintegration, many sectors of European labour markets remain strongly dependent on migrant workers, including in many low-paid, but essential, occupations.
The EU has recognised that existing modes of cooperation around development objectives are insufficient in the context of current challenges and is pursuing a paradigm shift to partnership. Changes in approaches to development cooperation between Europe and Africa, the proliferation of migration cooperation agreements and moves to introduce new negative conditionalities have also raised new questions. Ahead of the new European Commission in 2024 and the 3rd AU-EU ministerial summit, this event will explore what could be done to deliver a migration partnership more strongly oriented towards mutual developmental benefits. Speakers will assess all aspects of the migration partnership, exploring challenges and concerns at this time of heightened tensions, reform and electoral change.
For further information, please contact [email protected]
Policy Conference: What’s next for EU migration and development policy?
This panel event will take place ahead of a major ODI-MIGNEX Policy Conference on the direction and shape of EU migration and development policy, taking place at Résidence Palace, Brussels on 25 April. Find out more and register your place here.
Speakers
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Shada Islam
@shada_islamSpecialist and Commentator on European Union Affairs and Director, New Horizons Project (chair)
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Pawel Busiakiewicz
Head of Unit for International Affairs, DG HOME
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Linda Oucho
Executive Director, African Migration and Development Policy Centre
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Catherine Woollard
Director, European Council on Refugees and Exiles
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