Bad Ragaz – ESI lecture on migration and other social challenges of the West

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to give a guest lecture on “Migration and other social challenges of the West” organised by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) Academy.

In his lecture, Gerald examined Europe’s deadly and inhumane borders, describing the EU’s failure in migration policy. Using empirical evidence, he challenged the right-wing populist claim that irregular migration poses an existential threat. He also highlighted how anti-immigration narratives fuel fear and misinformation about asylum seekers, intensifying divisive debates and empowering parties that push for harsh measures like “remigration” and mass deportations. 

At the same time, Gerald presented ethically sound strategies to reduce irregular migration, advocating for mutually beneficial migration agreements and a fundamental shift in EU asylum policy. He underscored the need for humane borders that respect human dignity, offering a moral and effective alternative to the extreme-right approaches gaining traction.

• ESI proposal: Safe Third Country Agreements
• ESI proposal: EU-Turkey Statement 2.0
• Die Welt: Trumps harte Migrationspolitik – „Vieles, was er vorschlägt, ist rechtswidrig“ , ("Trump's tough migration policy – ‘Much of what he proposes is unlawful’")TV interview with Gerald Knaus, 21 January 2025