ICMPD-Review-2015

ICMPD Annual Report 2015
5
5 Questions to the DG
Only through successful integration into
the labour market and educational systems
can migrants and host communities reap
the full benefits of migration. This is also
the key to preventing the radicalisation of
disenfranchised youth.
Finally, it is crucial to develop a new
Euro pean migration regime, defining what
the objectives of our migration and protec
tion systems are. Europe has to act in
solidarity, with a clear distribution of
responsibilities.
4 What will be your new point
of emphasis for ICMPD?
I want to strengthen ICMPD in two fields
of action: firstly, we all know that in order
to master the current situation we need to
follow a holistic approach and the current
situation requires comprehensive solutions.
It is also clear that no country can
shoulder these challenges on its own.
Countries from all regions can and will
succeed only by working together.
However, as each country has to follow its
national interests, it takes a neutral broker
to bring forth change. A platform that can
analyse, act and communicate beyond
national interests and tomorrow’s news
headlines. For this purpose, I would like to
continue developing ICMPD in the future
and offer its services to states and Europe.
The international community needs a
“dialogue and mediation” platform for
migration; an organisation which understands
the priorities and interests of
countries of origin, transit and destination.
This platform should also be able to break
new ground, the needs for which are only
just emerging. I am considering, for exam
ple, the much-needed rectification of
smuggler’s propaganda, or the role of the
diaspora in information flows to countries
of origin. ICMPD should offer a platform
that does not shy away from discussing
all essential issues, listening to the concerns
of everyone involved,proposing concrete
solutions and finding ways to break
through deadlocked situations.
Secondly, Europe needs to better prepare
itself for future developments. It must
suc ceed at recognising certain developments
further ahead. The EU needs to
move from the point of constant “reaction”
to anti cipatory “acting”. This can only be
done on the basis of solid evidence and
analysis, and with a thorough under standing
of all facets of migration. In this
sense, I want to strengthen ICMPD as a
think tank, which provides independent
research on future developments of
migration, linking policy and practice and
moving from ideas to actions. This think
tank will deal with issues that go beyond
individual states and beyond the EU.
Only the broadest possible perspective
will reveal the large migration trends of
the future. The think tank will develop
sce nar ios and complete impact analyses.
What would the conclu sion of certain
agree ments lead to? What will the effect
be on flows; what will the impact be on
other countries? How can Europe prepare
for environmental degradation or for
political turmoil?
5 What makes ICMPD unique?
In addition to our aforementioned three
pronged approach, ICMPD’s uniqueness
comes for its staff. Their expertise and
professionalism impressed me from the
very start as DG. They combine commitment
to making migration better with
professionalism in their work with our
partners. As migration is one of the most
crucial issues for the international community,
influencing the future of countries
and individuals alike, it is these qualities
which are needed and which you will find
in ICMPD.