Crossroads of Change: Migration Dynamics in the EU

March 28-29 | EPPC 2025 | Brussels, Belgium

Migration has become one of the defining issues of our time, shaping the future of economies, communities, and societies. This conference brought together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and civil society to explore the multifaceted dimensions of migration in Europe. Under the unifying theme of "Crossroads of Change," we dove into three interconnected subtopics that reflect the challenges and opportunities of migration today.

Theme 1: Migration Within the EU

This theme explored voluntary and forced migration within the EU, focusing on skill-based migration, brain drain, and displacement due to natural disasters. It also examined the increasingly polarized political discourse, offering space to discuss causes, perspectives, and future directions of migration debates.

Theme 2: Skills Migration Towards the EU

This theme explored skills-based mobility to the EU, highlighting collaboration with international organizations and efforts to integrate labor migrants through startups and EU strategies. It also examined gender gaps in migration and policy solutions to address challenges in bottleneck professions.

Theme 3: Seeking Protection in the EU

This theme addressed key migration challenges in the EU, including asylum seekers & undocumented migrants, amid polarized debates. It explored human rights, international law, integration, and LGBTQIA+ migration. The broad scope encouraged diverse perspectives and interpretations. Additionally, an optional quantitative workshop provided data-driven discussions.

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Featured Guests

Siddhi Pal

Tom Snels

Mirka Schäfer

Misachi Ogawa

Lena Düpont

Amb. da Cruz

Meet the Speakers

Brussels School of Governance

Situated in the heart of Europe, the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) strives to be a hub for interdisciplinary teaching and cutting-edge research. Their purpose is to understand and help tackle key societal dynamics and challenges. They focus on migration and diversity, the digital transformation of society, climate change and green transitions in the economy, as well as diplomacy, strategy and geopolitical competition. They educate open-minded students and connect to policymakers and societal actors interested in a research-informed understanding of Europe in a changing world.