The annual Global Solutions Summit brings together international research organisations, independent researchers and decision-makers from political, business and civil society backgrounds to develop policy recommendations for the G20 framework. Over 1,600 participants from 120 countries met in Berlin again this year.
Dr Franzisca Zanker (ABI) moderated a panel on "Migration to and from Africa: the role of the EU" with a number of experts - mainly from Africa. These included representatives from academia, civil society, the African Union (AU) and the EU, from Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Spain. The stimulating discussion was divided into three parts on a) a critical review of the current relationship between the two continents in terms of migration, b) the African perspective on it, and c) how migration governance and protection of refugees can be developed more cooperatively and effectively in the future. Among other things, it was emphasized that freedom of movement within the African continent is first of all important for development opportunities on the ground, and has less to do with the reduction of so-called irregular migration to Europe. The speakers also noted that African research and perspectives on migration policy should be given greater consideration and that the AU's multilateral approach should be given preference over bilateral approaches. The creation of legal alternatives to migration and support for regions such as the Horn of Africa, where there are some of the highest numbers of displaced persons and refugees in the world, remains crucial for the future.