Migration, Security and the Human Dimension in the EU Borderland

Migration, Security and the Human Dimension in the EU Borderland
A Series of Seminars

Organized by: The Center for Environmental and Security Studies together with the Human RightS Initiative

Europe, more than ever before, faces the challenges associated with increased human mobility. Today, the region hosts more than 44.1 million migrants and every year it is absorbing an additional 2 million. Migration from outside has always been a controversial issue and a source of political debate while mobility within the European Single Market is seen as the main driving force for economic development and prosperity of the Community. The demographic situation of an ageing population has created a demand for a new skilled labor force. Although there is growing recognition at national and regional levels that well-managed migration can be beneficial to all stakeholders, including migrants and their countries of origin, migration policy-making has always involved difficult dilemmas. Control of unauthorized migration, national security, tension between labor market needs and the challenges of managing culturally and ethnically diverse societies, migrants’ rights, refugee protection and the issue of migrant integration are some of the most important issues that shape the contemporary discourse on migration in Europe.

To encourage discussion and allow for students and scholars to explore different perspectives on migration to Europe, CENSE Migration and Security Program and the Human RightS Initiative are organizing a series of seminars. Each seminar focuses on a specific area of migration policy and practice, and includes presentations by academics, practitioners and policy makers, as well as interactive discussions. To this end, the proposed seminars will invite and involve in the discussions representatives of different organizations assisting migrants in Hungary, as well as migrants, who will share their experience in migration.

We invite you to discuss the topics and share your experience and vision. Tea, coffee and cookies will be provided by the organizers.

11 February 2010, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Monument Building, Gellner Room

• Visa and Migration in Europe: Who is Equal?
  Dr. Attila Melegh (Demographic Institute and Corvinus University)
• Asylum Seekers in the New Enlarged Countries
  Dr. Agnes Ambrus (UNHCR Representative to Hungary)

Chair: Dr. Irina Molodikova (Director of Migration and Security Program, CENSE)
Discussants: Representative of BAH (Immigration Office of Hungarian Police), Vera Rangelova (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)

18 February 2010, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Nador u. 11, Room 004

• Border Control, Border Cooperation and Border Monitoring
  Julia Ivan (Hungarian Helsinki Committee)
• Integration Policy Dimensions – Best Practices: What Kind of Inclusion is Proposed?
  Andras Kovats (Director of Menedek)

Discussants: Dr. Albert Pucsok (advocate in asylum seeker cases)

25 February 2010, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Nador u. 11, Room 004

• Migrants' Integration Strategies and Official Models for Integration in EU: Do These Groups Have the Same Goals?
  Dr. Irina Molodikova (Director of Migration and Security Program, CENSE), Dr. Attila Melegh (Demographic Institute & Corvinus University), invited migrants to share their experience of integration

Discussants: BAH integration activities – Successful Practices, Dr. Judit Toth – Szeged University, Lawyer, Expert on Human Rights