Berlin – ESI at public debate on migration, democracy, and Islam

Gerald Knaus with Joachim Stamp (incoming Special Representative of the German Federal Government for Migration). Photo: ESI

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to a discussion on migration, democracy and political organised by the law firm baum reiter & collegen.

In his intervention, Gerald spoke about how migrants continue to arrive to Europe from Africa, often under highly dangerous conditions via the Mediterranean, leading to thousands of deaths per year. He also spoke about the routes migrants from West Africa are taking to reach Europe and the challenges they encounter in their journey. This is why, Gerald argued, there is an urgent need to establish legal migration pathways through humane and pragmatic migration policies, where countries of reception and origin can cooperate in reducing irregular migration. 

Gerald focused part of his presentation on ESI’s Gambia Plan as a model for bilateral migration agreements and the regularisation of migration and how the German government could bring about a breakthrough this year.

Gerald discussed with Ahmad Mansour (psychologist, author, Islam expert) and Joachim Stamp (incoming Special Representative of the German Federal Government for Migration). The discussion was moderated Daniel Schönwitz (Journalist and author).

• ESI proposal: Humane Borders
• ESI proposal: New deal with Africa