For those involved in refugees and migration research, the events in New York two weeks ago provided the perfect opportunity to influence the world’s leaders as they gathered for the United Nations High Level Summit on Refugees and Migrants. Many research reports, policy briefs and graphics were produced, attempting to illuminate an otherwise dark debate with evidence and analysis. However, in a move altogether typical of a time characterised by the death of experts, many of these pieces flew under the political clamour. For those of us following the #UN4RefugeesMigrants debate, it was evident that much good work was being produced: research that would still be relevant for policymakers and other researchers long after leaving New York. Here's a summary: Journeys and motivations- The ESRC-funded Mediterranean Migration Research Programme (MEDMIG) interviewed 500 refugees and migrants, finding that the simple narrative of routes taken by refugees and economic migrants (which are presumed distinct) is actually far more complicated and diverse.
- New ODI research – accompanied by infographics and an animation – shows that while EU policies will decrease the number of people ‘overtly’ arriving in Europe this year, almost 500,000 people will come through illegal routes.
- REACH conducted over 1,000 interviews with migrants heading to Europe through the Western Balkans - painting an excellent picture of who these people are, why they have come to Europe, how they are travelling and the impact of policies on their route.
|
