Berlin – ESI at Innocracy 2020 / The Future of Migration: Envisioning a just European Asylum Policy

30 October 2020
Video: Das Progressive Zentrum

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to participate in an online panel debate organised by Das Progressive Zentrum, “Innocracy 2020 / The Future of Migration: Envisioning a just European Asylum Policy” 

In 2015, more than one million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe. Since then, more than 15,000 refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Yet, EU member states still have not found an agreement on a functioning European asylum policy. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum by the European Commission could serve as a starting point, but already faces strong criticism from the left and the right. How can years of political deadlock on this issue be brought to an end? And what should a just European answer to the issue of migration look like? 

Gerald spoke about the European Commission’s recent migration pact, pushbacks, refugee resettlement and the situation on the Greek Islands. 

Other panellists were  Maria Kaldani (Head of Human Development Child Protection Unit at the Home Project), Sophie Magennis (Head of Policy and Legal Support, UNHCR Representation for EU Affairs), and Erik Marquardt (Member of the European Parliament - Greens/EFA). The discussion was presented and moderated by Andreas Audretsch from Das Progressive Zentrum.