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How Can Europe Better Prepare for Future Migration Movements?

Understanding and addressing the root causes of displacements

This policy brief aims to offer an overview of the current state of scientific knowledge on the root causes of migration; review the opportunities and limitations of migration estimates and forecasts regarding future trends; and provide evidence-informed policy recommendations. This brief is based on research conducted in the framework of the Horizon 2020 Project QuantMig: Quantifying Migration Scenarios for Better Policy (www.quantmig.eu), and responds to a research interest of the Commission on the Root Causes of Displacement of the German Government.
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How Can Europe Better Prepare for Future Migration Movements?

Key Messages

  • European migration policies should continue to tackle the root causes of displacement in countries of origin. At the same time, they should take into account the changing nature of the multiple predisposing, mediating, enabling and triggering factors that change dynamically over time and over the course of a migration journey.
  • Simplistic policy answers for tackling complex causes of displacement, such as interdependencies between civil war, violence or economic deprivation in countries of origin, should be avoided. Research has clearly shown that they have a weak evidence base.
  • In the short-term, governing bodies should develop early warning systems as part of migration policies. In the longer run, future trends based on different scenario simulation techniques are needed. These instruments should be developed in close collaboration with policy makers and stakeholders from civil society organisations and academia.

 

References

 

Acknowledgements:

 

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EU and QuantMig Logos

This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 870299. This document reflects the authors’ view and the Research Executive Agency of the European Commission are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

 

Read more about the QuantMig project here and follow the project on Twitter.

Additional Information

Authors of Original Article

Source

Bijak, J. & Czaika, M. (2020). How Can Europe Better Prepare for Future Migration Movements? Understanding and addressing the root causes of displacements. Population and Policy Brief 26, Berlin: Max Planck Society/Population Europe.