Global Migration Governance at A Crossroads (Part 1 of 3)

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Session One of Three in the Global Migration Governance Webinar Series Coordinated by Ethnicity, Nationalism, & Migration Studies (ENMISA), International Ethics (IETHICS), and International Law (ILAW) Sections. In an era of unprecedented displacement and mobility, global migration governance is facing a pivotal moment. From climate change and armed conflict to economic deprivation and political repression, the root causes of migration continue to challenge the international community. Meanwhile, extreme right-wing populism, often crossing the line into autocracy and fascism, and anti-immigration narratives appear to be gaining political momentum in many countries with their exclusionary discourses and practices against immigrants in general and asylum seekers in particular. Against this backdrop, the idea of a shared global responsibility for refugees and migrants has gained ground in policy frameworks as well as in public discourse. But what does this responsibility truly entail – and where does it fall short in a world with liberal democracy in retreat and great power competition rising?

Our webinar series seeks to explore the narrative of global responsibility along with solidarity and sanctuary practices, not only as a moral imperative but also as a complex legal and ethical construct. Central to our discussion are two critical questions: What are the limits of global responsibility towards refugees? And how are those limits transcended at the meso (institutional) and micro-(community and individual) levels?

Through a multidisciplinary lens, we will examine how international legal obligations, state sovereignty, and humanitarian principles intersect and sometimes collide. We’ll consider how international agreements such as the Global Compact on Refugees attempt to formalize collective action and where they leave gaps. We will also highlight the often-overlooked efforts by NGOs, local governments, and grassroots actors who navigate - and at times resist - limitations in the international arena to provide protection and support to displaced persons. Our webinar series brings together scholars, practitioners, and policy experts committed to understanding and reshaping the future of global migration governance. Together, we aim to unpack the contradictions and opportunities within the current global system and envision pathways towards more just and effective responses.

CHAIR: Hans Schattle (Yonsei University, Department of Political Science). SPEAKERS: David FitzGerald (UC San Diego, Department of Sociology) and Blanche Tax (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Senior Policy Advisor). DISCUSSANT: Miao-ling Lin Hasenkamp (University Rostock, Institute of Political Science).

The viewer should note that the opinions expressed in this audio/video recording are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent official positions of the International Studies Association (ISA) or its leadership.