The 28 participants from 19 countries brought diverse professional expertise and represented a range of sectors including international organisations, national and regional governments, civil society, and academia. This unique mix of professionals contributed to the richness of the discussions, fostering a holistic understanding of the complexities surrounding migration and global protection.
The academy's interdisciplinary curriculum was curated by Research Fellow Lorenzo Piccoli and featured academic experts on a range of critical topics in the field of migration:
The first day focused on understanding the state of protection for forcibly displaced migrants, exploring the concept of 'polycrisis' in forced migration. Visiting Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre and Policy and Legal Officer for the European Commission DG HOME, Isabela Marilena Atanasiu, delved into the forms of protection for displaced and stateless populations under international and regional conventions.
The second and third days examined responses to protection crises and global politics of protection, including discussions on asylum decisions, pathways to citizenship, and the intersection of forced displacement with the climate crisis.
The fourth day focused on special protection for children, families, and victims of trafficking, including a session led by partners Josiah Kaplan and Satoshi Watarai from UNICEF Innocenti Global Office of Research and Foresight. The academy culminated in a simulation led by Patrick Wall, former policy officer for UNHCR, where participants had to create and negotiable a regional Global Compact for
The Migration Winter Academy not only provided a platform for academic discussions but also facilitated valuable connections and collaborations among professionals in the field. Throughout the week, participants took turns presenting their work and receiving feedback from their peers. Ninety-six percent of participants reported that their work and research benefited from participating in the academy.
Dorothy Omboto a legal fellow at Kituo Cha Sheria-Forced Migration Programme summarised the impact the academy had on her stating:
“The Migration Winter Academy has been so much more than I bargained for. I know the connections made at Migration Academy are going to go a long long way and will positively impact the global migration space in unimaginable ways.”
The success of the academy demonstrates the increasing interest in addressing protection challenges for refugees and asylum-seekers and reinforces the need for in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue and training. The Migration Policy Centre plans to continue the one-week winter academy on an annual basis.
For those who missed the winter academy but are looking for rigorous and in-depth training, applications are currently being accepted for the Centre’s 20th Migration Summer School. Applicants in need of financial assistance can apply for one of seven full-course scholarships, funded by the Florence School of Transnational Governance or applicants from select countries can apply for one of eight 500€ grants funded by the EUI Widening Initiative.