What are the effects of EU and Dutch migration policies on migration flows within Africa? This question was debated during an online discussion held at De Balie on 23 November 2020.
Researcher at the International Institute of Social Studies, Dr Anthony Ontieno Ong'ayo was one of the speakers discussing this issue with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, journalists, NGO field workers and researchers.
The speakers discussed both current EU policies and those proposed under the new EU Migration Pact which focus in part on deepening cooperation with African countries in order to stem migration to the EU. This focus is reflected in the way in which the EU migration budget is spent: by far the largest portion of this budget is allocated to the management of migration on the African continent itself.
But what are the consequences of the EU's investments on migrants and migration flows within Africa? What are the up- and downsides of bringing these policies into practice, should they be considered 'successful' or not, and according to which standards?
Watch the recording of the debate (this debate is partly in English and partly Dutch, the section in English is in minutes 22-60).
- Researcher