With immigration high on the agenda across Europe and elsewhere, and the number of refugees and asylum seekers on the rise, the Global Young Academy (GYA) identified integration as a priority for urgent attention. In partnership with the Dutch Young Academy and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the GYA convened a two-day workshop in December 2015 to explore complex, interdisciplinary issues around refugee integration in Europe. The outcomes of their deliberations have just been published.
Engaging over 20 academic experts and practitioners, from different disciplines, countries and cultures, and drawing on a wider survey of young scientists and refugee scientists, the participants explored areas where the research community can make an evidence-based contribution to this highly politicised topic. They concluded that models of integration that respect diversity, democracy and widely-held values of human dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity and human rights pose a challenge for the EU and its Member States. There is a clear tension between integrating increasing numbers of refugees ethically and efficiently, and satisfying the interests of both refugees and citizens of host countries.
The participants identified four distinct areas that require further attention, and to which the global research community can readily contribute:
- Understanding the problem: identifying areas where conceptual theory, empirical evidence and better data are required to support policymaking. This includes a better understanding of cultural values within communities and of the fundamental European principle of solidarity;
- Practical actions and interventions: building on and scaling up good practice, for example in job market integration, community-led non-formal education schemes, and trust-based social networks such as mentoring schemes for refugee scientists;
- Reframing the refugee debate: developing more intelligent and innovative media strategies to help inform the public objectively, influence public opinion and ultimately public policy;
- Addressing the root causes: understanding and then reducing the need for people to flee their countries through more concerted and coordinated international effort.
Recommendations are targeted primarily at the European Commission, and the High Level Group of Scientific Advisers to the EU who has already identified migration as a priority area for its attention. H2020 – the world’s largest research programme – can potentially help to fund further work. But there are also recommendations for the OECD, the UN, and the global research community to help mitigate and better manage the refugee crisis more widely, in recognition that Europe is only one part of the picture.
For more information, see here.
