AfriquEurope international webinar „Migration at the Crossroads: EUrope–Africa Responses to Climate Change, Forced Displacement, and Humanitarian and Policy Challenges”

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Meeting ID: 352 309 881 764 21
Passcode: 6eL3is3H

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Migration across and within Europe/the EU and Africa is increasingly shaped by climate change, environmental degradation, and forced displacement. Rising sea levels, desertification, extreme weather events, and protracted conflicts are forcing millions to leave their homes, creating both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term governance challenges. By 2050, most credible estimates converge on 200–300 million displaced persons, mainly due to environmental factors linked to climate change, such as sea-level rise, desertification, droughts, floods, storms, and other extreme weather events, but the actual number could be significantly higher (over 1 billion) under worst-case scenarios.

This webinar explores the intersection of environmental and forced migration, highlighting the definitional, legal, and policy gaps that complicate effective governance. While the 1951 Refugee Convention does not recognise environmentally induced migrants as refugees, both the European Union and the African Union have begun developing regional strategies to address the growing phenomenon. The EU’s Green Deal, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, and external cooperation initiatives illustrate a security- and prevention-oriented approach, yet remain limited in addressing climate displacement directly. In contrast, African frameworks, such as the Kampala Convention, have pioneered broader recognition of internal displacement linked to environmental change, although implementation varies across states.

Through comparative discussion, the webinar examines challenges including:

• Lack of legal recognition and protection for climate migrants;
• Rising pressures on border management, humanitarian aid, and integration systems;
• Unequal responsibility-sharing between the Global North and South;
• The urgent need to shift from a security-driven to a human-rights-based approach.

The session will showcase regional responses, best practices, and policy recommendations for strengthening preparedness and resilience. Emphasis will be placed on cooperation between Europe and Africa, recognising their interconnected challenges and responsibilities in addressing displacement. Participants will gain insights into innovative approaches to climate resilience, crisis response, and long-term migration governance, with a view towards building fairer, more sustainable, and human-centred solutions.

The webinar is organised within the project „AfriquEurope – The European Union and Africa in a Multi Crises World” under Jean Monnet Policy Debates – Thematic Networks in Higher Education (Erasmus+ Programme). It is held in cooperation with two Thematic Teams: no. 8 (Environment Protection and Climate Change) and no. 9 (Education, Societies, Populations, Demography, Mobility, Migrations). It is also supported by the Humanitarian Observatories Network coordinated by the Hague Humanitarian Studies Centre.

AfriquEurope – The European Union and Africa in a Multi Crises World

Humanitarian Observatories Network

Agenda 

Opening remarks:

• Prof. Asteris Huliaras and Prof. Jean-Marc Trouille, Coordinators Jean Monnet Project AfriquEurope, University of the Peloponnese
• Dr Anna Masłoń-Oracz, Holder of Jean Monnet Module AFROEU, International Strategies Unit, SGH Warsaw School of Economics and Rector’s Representative for Africa at SGH, CEWSE II, PECSA 

Roundtable discussion:

Moderator: 

• Dr Marta Pachocka, Department of Political Studies, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, CEWSE II, PECSA, HOCEE, CMR UW

Panelists: 

• Ms Gabriela Anderson, Community and Project Manager, The Hague Humanitarian Studies Centre (HSC), The International Humanitarian Studies Association (IHSA), The Netherlands
• Sr. Agrippina Nandjaa, Caritas Namibia, Namibian Humanitarian Observatory
• Prof. Gertrudes de Oliveira, Director of CIEI-MGDS, Inter-University Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on Migration, Gender and Sustainable Development, Jean Piaget University in Cape Verde and Ms Ineida Brito, MA student, UniPiaget, AfriquEurope
• Dr Natalija Perisic, Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre (MIGREC), Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade
• Mr Paweł Wróblewski, MA student, SGH Warsaw School of Economics 

Closing remarks

• Dr Anna Masłoń-Oracz, Holder of Jean Monnet Module AFROEU, International Strategies Unit, SGH Warsaw School of Economics and Rector’s Representative for Africa at SGH, CEWSE II, PECSA

Organisers:

• SGH Warsaw School of Economics:
  • Collegium of Socio-Economics: Department of Political Studies of the Institute of the International Studies & Jean Monnet Chair of the European Union, Collegium of Socio-Economics, SGH Warsaw School of Economics
  • Collegium of Management and Finance: International Strategies Unit of the Institute of Management
  • Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at SGH – CEWSE II on “Global Public Goods Management and Sustainable Growth in the Policy and Practice of the EU”
  • Student Scientific Association SKN African Affairs Club
• “AfriquEurope – The European Union and Africa in a Multi Crises World” under Jean Monnet Policy Debates – Thematic Networks in Higher Education (Erasmus+ Programme)

Co-organisers:

• Caritas Namibia, Namibian Humanitarian Observatory
• Humanitarian Observatory for Central and Eastern Europe (HOCEE)
• Inter-University Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on Migration, Gender and Sustainable Development, Jean Piaget University in Cape Verde (UniPiaget)
• Laboratory of Urban and Regional Migration Policies, Centre of Migration Research at the University of Warsaw (CMR UW)
• Migration Consortium (MC)
• Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre (MIGREC), Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade
• Polish European Community Studies Association (PECSA)
• Research Committee 46 “Migration and Citizenship”, International Politica Science Association (IPSA)
• University of the Peloponnese, Greece 

Important information: Due to the online format of the event, participants’ names, images, and voices (if they choose to turn on their cameras and speak) may be visible to other attendees, based on consent given through active participation. The event will be recorded. After the webinar, the recording will be available for future viewing.