Poverty, war, climate change, political instability and lack of fundamental rights. These are just some of the reasons why, since the dawn of time, entire populations have been moving from the land where they were born in search of a better life. The phenomenon of migration affecting the European continent today is the latest in a long series of other migrations that have affected the history of humankind.
Unlike in the past, today we are privileged enough to be capable of embracing this phenomenon in an intelligent way and in accordance with well-designed policies. The evolution of fundamental rights, especially at the European level, has made it possible to achieve impressive results in terms of integration within the Union. At the same time, a primary responsibility of the recipient states is and must always be to promote the integration into the territory and society of those who have arrived from afar and need the basic tools to be able to start a new life.
Acting in a cohesive manner and with a common purpose seems to be the only possibility for the migration phenomenon to have a positive impact on the entire European community. Liberals are responsible for defining positions on this issue that, looking to the future, can overcome fears, prejudices and divisions.
09h30 – 14h00 (CET)
Welcome
Daniel Kaddik, Executive Director, European Liberal Forum
Introduction to this Expert Forum
Giulio Ercolessi, Director, Liberal Movement Association (LibMov)
Keynote Speech – The phenomenon of migration
Emma Bonino, Senator for Rome, +Europa
Welcome Words from the Patron
Sophia in ‘t Veld, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group
Discussion: Migration and international relations: a look beyond Europe
Michele Amedeo, Head of Centre of Thematic Expertise on Migration, DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement (DG NEAR)
Giulia Nicoloso, Project Manager, EU Crimson Project, Royal United Services Institute
Mariano Giustino, Journalist and Turkey Correspondent for Radio Radicale
Moderator: Roberta Bonazzi, President and Founder, European Foundation for Democracy
Discussion: Migration policies at the EU and national levels
Henrik Nielsen, Head of Unit C3: Asylum, DG Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME)
Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche, Professor of Public Law, Centre for Constitutional Law, University Jean Moulin Lyon 3
Ruud Koopmans, Professor and Director of the Research Unit Migration, Integration and Transnationalization, WZB Berlin Social Science Center
Alessandra La Vaccara, Program Manager, Missing Migrants Program, International Commission on Missing Persons
Moderator: Costanza Hermanin, Policy Leader Fellow, European University Institute
Discussion: Good intentions for a liberal approach in integration: what to do now?
Tommaso Virgili, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, WZB Berlin Social Science Center and Research Consultant, Humanists International
Maryan Ismail, Anthropologist, Fondazione Eris
Hisham Nofal, Atheist refugee from Egypt and human rights activist
Johan Bourlard, Expert in radicalism, Belgian Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil)
Moderator: Yuri Guaiana, Secretary General, LGBTI Liberals of Europe
Final talk & Conclusions
Giulio Ercolessi, Director, Liberal Movement Association (LibMov)