30 years of MPG
MPG 30th Anniversary – Celebrating Three Decades of Impact
In 2025, MPG proudly marks 30 years of pioneering research, advocacy, and action in migration, integration, and non-discrimination. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements, acknowledge ongoing challenges, and reaffirm our commitment to building inclusive and equitable societies. To commemorate this journey, we are launching a dedicated 30th Anniversary web page – a dynamic space for reflection, inspiration, and dialogue.
Throughout the year, we will feature insights from policymakers, funders, academics, civil society organisations, and our dedicated board and staff. Through videos, essays, and testimonials, we invite you to engage with the voices that have shaped our work and to help envision the future of migration and inclusion in Europe.
Whether you have been part of MPG’s journey from the start or are discovering us for the first time, we welcome you to join us in celebrating 30 years of impact – and in shaping the road ahead.
Do not miss out the contributions of:
- Isabelle Chopin, MPG Director
- Jan Niessen, founder and first director of MPG
- Book: Emerging European policies and MPG’s first ten years
- Romanița Iordache, human rights researcher, Romania
- Sophie Latraverse, human rights lawyer, France
- Lilla Farkas, associate professor, ELTE University, Hungary
- Marcel Zwamborn, Director of Human European Consultancy
- Patrick Yu, Former Chair of the Starting Line Group
- Marten Vink, European University Institute
- Dr. Ferdinand Mirbach, Robert Bosch Stiftung
- Kameran Shwani, Department of Labour and Economic Development, City of Munich
- Adam Tyson, Former Official of the European Commission
- Sayaka Osanami Törngren, Senior Researcher at Malmö University for Migration Studies
- Razan Ismail, Migration Policy Consultant, Founder and Director of Asociación Kudwa
- Robert Rustem, Senior Project and Outreach Officer European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
- Yonous Muhammadi, Co Founder and Director Greek Forum of Refugees
- Stephen Pittam, Former CEO, Rowntree Charitable Trust
Emerging European policies and MPG’s first ten years
This fascinating collective memoir chronicles the early development of the Migration Policy Group and its ground-breaking work amidst the backdrop of emerging European policies on migration and related issues of integration and anti-discrimination from the mid-1990’s and throughout the early 2000’s.
Read the book about first years of MPG.
Patrick Yu, Former Chair of the Starting Line Group
Patrick Yu is the former Chair of the Starting Line Group and Executive Director of Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities. He is the Trustees Board of the Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality and Communication Officer (job shared) of the Chair’s Group of the National Black Members Committee, UNISON.
Read Patrick Yu’ contribution.
Kameran Shwani, Department of Labour and Economic Development, City of Munich
As a civil servant in Munich’s Department of Labour and Economic Development, their work has been shaped by a dynamic and rewarding partnership with the Migration Policy Group (MPG). As MPG celebrates its 30th anniversary, they reflect on initiatives that have redefined immigrant entrepreneurship in Munich and strengthened the city’s role on the European stage.
Read Kameran Shwani’ contribution.
Robert Rustem, Senior Project and Outreach Officer, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
Robert Rustem, Senior Project and Outreach Officer at the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), has been a dedicated voice in the fight against structural racism and in advancing human rights across Europe. With a longstanding partnership between ECRI and the Migration Policy Group, his work reflects a shared commitment to systemic change and inclusive policymaking.
Read Robert Rustem’s contribution as he marks MPG’s 30th anniversary and reflects on the power of collaboration in confronting institutional discrimination and promoting lasting equality.
