The Security–Migration Nexus:
Challenges and Opportunities of African Migration to EU Countries
International Conference discussed issues on African migration and security
More than 150 participants, amongst them representatives of research institutes, civil society as well as politicians accepted the invitation by the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC) to talk about the challenges of the African Diaspora in Europe on the occasion of an international conference which took place from 22 to 23 February 2008 in Bonn. The two-day event, entitled: “The Security–Migration Nexus. Challenges and Opportunities of African Migration to EU Countries” at the Deutsche Welle was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Prof. Rita Süssmuth
In her introductory address, former President of the German Parliament,
Prof. Rita Süssmuth, Chairwoman of the EU High Level Group on the Social and Labour Market Integration of Ethnic Minorities as well as member of the Board of the OECD Development Centre project:
“Gaining by migration” stated, “Worldwide migration is not a threat but highly enriching if it is shaped as an advantage to all involved. Migrants are part of the solution of our national and global problems.“
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Erich Stather
The event was opened by State Secretary at the BMZ,
Erich Stather,
Winfried Mengelkamp of the Ministry for Intergenerational Affairs, Family, Women and Integration of the Land North Rhine-Westphalia,
Bärbel Dieckmann, Lady Mayor of the City of Bonn,
Miodrag Soric, Editor-in-Chief at DW-Radio, and
Peter J. Croll, Director of BICC.
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Winfried Mengelkamp
The conference’s goal was to shed light on the needs and wishes of all parties involved in the migration process—migrants, countries of origin and recipient countries alike.
“We want to give both research- and policy-relevant impulses, which shall be included in a well-balanced dialogue between equal actors,“ hoped
Croll.
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Bärbel Dieckmann
explained
Croll. As a matter of course, difficulties resulting from a lack of integration, illegal migration or even human trafficking must not be played down.
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Miodrag Soric
However, BICC-expert
Andrea Warnecke stressed,
“We need a balanced approach to do justice to the interdependencies between security and migration.” The situation in the countries of origin, with particular focus on the influence of Diaspora organizations on conflicts and peace processes, the living conditions and security needs of migrants in European countries as well as the effects of Diaspora activities on the security interests of the recipient countries ought to be taken into account.
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Peter J. Croll
Conference participants came from a number of African countries as well as from Germany, Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Finland. Amongst them were
Dr. Ndioro Ndiaye, Deputy Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Geneva,
Dr. Fiona Adamson, University of London,
Melkamu Adisu, German Foundation for World Population, Ethiopia,
Dr. Steffen Angenendt, German
Dr. Ndioro Ndiaye
Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Dr. Claudia Aradau, The Open University, United Kingdom,
Eugène Kandekwe, Migration for Development (MIDA), Rwanda, and
Dr. Tamer Afifi, United Nations University (UNU – EHS), Bonn. A number of NGOs, amongst them the Association of German Development NGOs (VENRO), the African Youth Foundation (AYF) and the African Umbrella Organization NRW also took part in the conference.
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Further Information: Andrea Warnecke
E-Mail: warnecke@bicc.de
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