How can we solve the global migration crisis?

Since an influx of refugees from Syria and other countries in the Middle East and Africa to the European Union dominated global headlines in 2015, the question of how best to deal with migrants and asylum seekers has dominated continental politics. While there are fewer migrants arriving illegally in the region, anti-migration political rhetoric has increased, emboldening hardliners such as Hungary’s Viktor Orban. However conversations around migration tend not to be informed by evidence about the real drivers and impacts of this challenge.

In response, the London International Development Centre (LIDC) will hold a public debate on potential solutions to the ongoing global migration crisis. We will look in particular at the LIDC Migration Leadership Team’s (MLT) work to create a global strategy for migration research. Our speakers, who include academics, development practitioners and policy makers, will also take questions from the audience. A moderator will guide the discussion, and there will be a chance to continue the conversation after the debate at a networking reception. What’s more, there will be an interactive exhibition on the topic in the same space as the debate, which will feature posters, comics, videos and activities on migration.

Speakers include:

- Professor Laura Hammond, Professor of Development Studies, SOAS University of London

- Markus Geisser, Senior Humanitarian Affairs & Policy Advisor , Regional Delegation to the United Kingdom and Ireland, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

- Ala'a Shehabi, Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) and the Data Manager for the RELIEF Centre

More speakers to be confirmed shortly

This event forms part of the 17th annual Festival of Social Science, which takes place from 2-9 November 2019 with over 470 events nationwide. Run by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, the festival provides an opportunity for the public to meet some of the country’s leading social scientists to discover, discuss and debate how research affects their lives. With a range of creative and engaging events going on across the UK, there’s something for everyone including businesses, charities, schools and government agencies. The full programme is available at: esrc.ukri.org/festival. Catch up and join in on Twitter using #ESRCFestival.

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