Rome, 19 May 2017 - IOM supported the launch of the first in a series of debates on Migration in Europe titled “Thinking beyond the crisis: Labour migration and mobility in the Euro-Mediterranean region”. The first debate was organized by the Migration Policy Center (MPC) and Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) bringing together high-level officials, politicians, academics, and representatives of international and national organizations to offer their perspectives on labour mobility in the Euro-Mediterranean area at present and in the near future.

The debate was opened by Professor Franco Frattini, President of the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), former Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, former Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security and was organized under two  panels: the political and policy dimensions of labour migration in the Mediterranean and the socio-demographic dynamics of Euro-Mediterranean relations.

All participants shared a common understanding that migration is not a phenomenon that should be conceived in terms of isolated crises. Policy makers need instead a long-term perspective on migration governance that takes into account labour market needs and demographic trends in countries of origin and destination, along other influencing factors such as conflicts or unstable political situation. Structural conditions, such as large youth populations in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region and high youth unemployment rates, will continue amongst the main migration drivers in the Mediterranean. Europe, at the same time, faces serious economic and demographic challenges because of its rapidly ageing population. This could make welfare systems unsustainable, reduce the size of the internal market, and lead to an older workforce with outdated skill sets. Current migration challenges in Europe can – and should - turn into an opportunity if responses are planned now and agreed among all concerned countries and regions.

In this context, the evidence-based dialogue on migration in Europe should continue to think ahead on important challenges and opportunities associated with migration, to better plan and maximize the benefits of mobility for countries of both sides of the Mediterranean. MPC will collect and share concrete policy recommendations as one of the main outputs of the event.

The study visit was co-funded by the IOM Development Fund and the United States State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, as part of the IOM projects “Developing Capacities for Forecasting and Planning Migration from Egypt” and “Addressing irregular migration flows and upholding human rights of migrants along the north-eastern African migration route and North Africa - NOAH Phase IV”, respectively.

For further information, visit the event page or contact Teuta Grazhdani, IOM Egypt, Email: iomegypt@iom.int.