From the classroom to policy circles: MPG bridges theory and practice

In April, MPG had the pleasure of engaging with bright and motivated students and experts to exchange on some of the most pressing issues in EU migration and integration policy.

Lecturing at the Irish College Leuven
On Friday, 11 April, Dr. Carmine Conte, Senior Legal Policy Analyst at MPG, delivered an in-depth lecture on EU migration policies at the Irish College Leuven. The session welcomed visiting students from The American College of the Mediterranean, whose energy and engagement made for a dynamic exchange. Carmine walked participants through recent developments under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, offering a critical perspective on the Return Regulation and its implications for human rights. He also addressed the criminalisation of NGOs and volunteers aiding migrants and shared insights from the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX). The session concluded with a lively discussion comparing integration frameworks in Europe and the United States.

Workshop at the Hertie School European Public Policy Conference
At the European Public Policy Conference, hosted by Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s School of Governance in partnership with the Hertie School, Dr. Başak Yavcan, MPG’s Head of Research, led an interactive workshop on “Drivers of Migration: Structural and Environmental Factors and the Role of Policies”. The session brought together policymakers, academics, industry experts, and civil society to explore the effectiveness of current EU migration policies. Drawing on MPG’s latest work, Başak facilitated a timely and engaging conversation on the broader forces shaping migration and how policies must evolve to respond to them.

Student Visit from the Euroculture Programme – University of Groningen
On Monday, 8 April, MPG welcomed 12 Master’s students from the Euroculture Erasmus Mundus programme at the University of Groningen for a hands-on visit to our Brussels office. Dr. Mojib Atal and Dr. Carmine Conte led an in-depth discussion on EU border management and the externalisation of migration policies, including topics such as securitisation, international partnerships, and the shifting dynamics of EU migration governance. The students contributed thoughtful questions and demonstrated a strong interest in connecting policy theory with practice.