From 2014 to 2016, European and North American media dedicated significant time and energy to the “refugee crisis” - to use their terminology. Policy makers and international agencies alike flocked to the table to try to mobilize funding and actualize programs in response to the increase in arrivals to EU  shores. In January 2016, the London Syria Conference raised a record $12 billion to support Syrian refugees and neighbouring communities and just seven months later, the 2016 United Nations General Assembly organized international support to create a new Global Compact for Refugees. 

Unfortunately, these actions have not kept pace with a near constant stream of developments in the Sahel and MENA regions. This World Refugee Day 2018, the number of people who have been forcibly displaced from their regions is at its highest level in history, 65.5 million persons; however, United Nations OCHA humanitarian funding gap remains at $25.3bn.  The policy response to these disruptions has been focused on trying to keep those displaced by conflict in the neighbourhood.

The migration puzzles that people face today are only growing more complex, and yet European Member States remain caught up in bureaucratic quarrels, not living up to their responsibilities.

Photo Credit: Merco Press.

This was put into very sharp focus just last week when the Aquarius, a rescue ship operated by Doctors Without Borders, was pushed back from Italy until they were finally accepted by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez. This exchange illuminates the precarious prospects for Article 78 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, often known as the Dublin Regulation. Despite meetings held this month, EU interior ministers were once again unable to reach agreements on sharing responsibility within all of the EU for arriving asylum seekers.

The need to reform this legislation was immediately made clear in 2015 and 2016 as the rates of refugees and asylum seekers grew, but countries within the Frontex borders have prevented every attempt.

A significant issue with the current conditions of asylum procedures in Europe comes from a growing divide. Since 2015, the European Commission have attempted multiple times to amend the current system for receiving asylum seekers, evaluating the asylum claim and providing protection to those individuals.

Europe needs to take a unified stance toward relocation and resettlement. Participation in the various schemes developed in the last four years has been inconsistent, especially from eastern Member States such as Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. There is a fundamental need for solidarity amongst  EU member states in regard to asylum and reception procedures. 

Photo Credit: AFP

Europe is currently in need of a population influx. While the European economy continues to grow, labour shortages are intensifying throughout the union. So, what is the disconnect? Two persistent barriers seem to be blocking the policy-making process. The first one is the belief, reportedly held by many European citizens, that the asylum-seeking newcomers will put strains on local resources, either through taking jobs or social services.

This claim has never been concretely supported in research findings. Another prominent concern is that dangerous radicals hiding amongst the newcomers may threaten European security.

 The absolute majority of individuals implicated in terrorist attacks that occurred in European countries are European citizens or residents. 

These apprehensions continue to be unsupported by findings. Instead of working to control newcomers, we should focus on realizing their potential.

 In a rapidly globalizing world it is of the utmost importance that we discover how to capitalize on the capacities, new ideas and resources of newcomers. Forcing refugees to fit into ready-made systems limits their ability to contribute to their new communities.

Phoebus Participants collaborating. Photo Credit: Daniel Cabral

For refugees and Europeans alike, it is of vital importance that governments support programs that capitalize on the capacities and resources available. We propose inclusion as the solution, allowing individuals to contribute and participate instead of refugees, as a homogeneous group, adapting.  But the challenge of inclusion is finding how to balance promoting engagement while respecting diversity.