New Report Examines Global Migration Governance Challenges
A new report, co-authored by Maastricht University researchers Felix Peerboom (PhD candidate/lecturer) and Lilian Tsourdi (Professor and Jean Monnet Chair in European Migration Law and Governance), highlights the current crossroads in global migration governance. The study assesses the effectiveness, robustness, and democratic credentials of the UN Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and the UN Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The project is part of a Horizon-funded initiative coordinated by Maastricht University.
The report (‘Transforming Global Migration Governance Through and Beyond the Global Compacts’) identifies five pressing challenges: limited labour mobility, insufficient access to protection, the non-binding nature of the Compacts, weak accountability mechanisms, and declining funding. While the Compacts have successfully consolidated existing agreements and introduced innovative elements, such as recognising climate change as a driver of migration, they remain under-resourced and lack binding force.
This research report is one of five in the second round of ENSURED reports. In these reports researchers critically examine the robustness, effectiveness, and democracy of key institutions. Together, they offer insights into how the EU can defend multilateralism and make global governance fit-for-purpose in a contested world.
About ENSURED
In an era marked by global challenges, international cooperation is more essential than ever. Yet multilateral initiatives too often end in gridlock, as dominant states seek to bend the global order to their own interests. ENSURED, a Horizon Europe-funded consortium, studies how the EU can make global governance more robust, effective, and democratic.
The ENSURED consortium comprises universities, think tanks, and civil society groups from across Europe, Brazil, India, South Africa, China, and the United States. It aims to equip policymakers with evidence-based insights for better global governance in a world in transition.
More information: https://www.ensuredeurope.eu/
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