Mesiac: august 2024

Manažment životného cyklu vojenskej techniky: Skúsenosti, Očakávania a Možnosti spolupráce

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Výskum v ICE sa okrem iného zaoberá aj možnosťami spolupráce v oblasti životného cyklu vojenskej techniky. Dokument je výstupom projektu „Manažment životného cyklu vojenskej techniky,“ realizovaného s podporou Ministerstva obrany SR a spoločnosti Rheinmetall MAN. Veríme, že naše odporúčania môžu prispieť k rozhodnutiam o spolupráci, a tým aj zefektívneniu celého životného cyklu obstarania, fungovania, servisovania či vyraďovania vojenskej techniky, a tak zabezpečiť aj nemalé úspory.

Téma životného cyklu vojenskej techniky nie je často diskutovaná, no napriek tomu patrí medzi veľmi dôležité. Nehovoríme len o vyššej efektivite pri prevádzke, ale aj o možnosti finančných úspor verejných výdavkov v prípade vhodne zvolenej stratégie.
Pri aktuálnych otázkach akvizícií nových zbraňových systémov, je slovenská verejnosť poväčšine konfrontovaná s celkovou obstarávacou cenou, prípadne za jeden kus obstarávanej techniky. Pri zohľadnení celého životného cyklu predmetnej techniky však dostávame oveľa realistickejší pohľad na potrebnú sumu. Nemožno preto abstrahovať od požiadavky na zohľadnenie celkovej, potrebnej sumy počas celého životného cyklu. Modernizácia ozbrojených síl je mimoriadne potrebná a nevyhnutná, treba však opatrne zvažovať potreby, požiadavky a možnosti rozpočtu MO SR a verejných financií ako celku.

Existujú moderné prístupy k životnému cyklu a mnohé postupy sa dajú naučiť od najlepších v súkromnom sektore. Azda najzaujímavejším a najsľubnejším prístupom do budúcnosti môže byť medzinárodná spolupráca v tejto oblasti.

Eurodebata Ekonomického deníku

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Praha, 30.4.2024

ICE sa v Prahe zúčastnil Eurodebaty Ekonomického deníku, portálu Justicie a Zdravotnického deníku zameranej na horúce témy spojené s budúcnosťou Európy, pod názvom: Agenda pre nový Európsky parlament a Európsku komisiu. Diskusie sa zúčastnili súčasní i bývalí vysokí predstavitelia českej verejnej a súkromnej sféry, medzi nimi Jaroslav Bžoch, podpredseda zahraničného a európskeho výboru Poslaneckej snemovne Parlamentu ČR, a brigádny generál prof. Ing. Bohuslav Přikryl, PhD, viceprezident spoločnosti CSG Aerospace. Diskusia sa zameriavala na tri dôležité aspekty, ktoré budú iste vysoko aj v agende budúcej EK a EP: migrácia a ochrana vonkajších hraníc EÚ, kolektívna obrana EÚ a budúcnosť európskeho obranného priemyslu, ako aj Zelená dohoda a jej vplyv na konkurencieschopnosť EÚ.

     

 

Environmental Changes and Migration: Bridging Disciplines for a New Research Agenda

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Liège, 9.-12.7.2024

The Acronym Project recently hosted its second annual conference on asylum and migration, titled “Environmental Changes & Migration: Bridging Disciplines for a New Research Agenda,” in Liège, Belgium. The event aimed to gather researchers from various disciplines, policy-makers, and practitioners to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on migration and asylum governance.

The conference opened with a ceremony at the Liège Theater titled “Climate Justice, Democracy, and Migration Governance” featuring esteemed speakers including Julie Fernandez (Echevin en charge des Solidarités, City of Liège), Pierre Duysinx (Vice-Rector for Mobility and International Affairs, University of Liège), Katarína Csefalvayová (Director of the Institute for Central Europe), and François Gemenne (Director of the Hugo Observatory, University of Liège) who opened the conference and welcomed the guests.

A highlight of the evening was the discussion “Colonizing the Future: Climate Justice, Democracy, and Migration Governance,” led by François Gemenne. Distinguished guests included David van Reybrouck (Historian and Author), Mohamed Nasheed (Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Former President of the Maldives), Saber Hossain Chowdhury (Minister for the Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh), Sandrine Dixson-Declève (President of the Club of Rome), and Katarína Csefalvayová who discussed the historical aspect that affect contemporary migration flows, international responses to migration but also role of markets, loss and damage and many other aspects that influence international migration. Last but least, Christian Kaelin, Founder and Chairman of the Andan Foundation, concluded the evening by presenting his new book, “Citizenship and Human Rights.”

The second day began with a keynote address from François Gemenne, followed by three parallel paper presentation sessions on various migration topics, such as policy and governance, gender and social justice, (im)mobilities, and empirical studies. During these research presentations, climate migration, human rights, role of gender, policies and national as well international responses were discussed.

The day was concluded with a panel titled “Global Cities for Climate Refugees,” chaired by Lucy Szaboova from the University of Exeter, featuring Christian Kaelin (Founder and Chairman of the Andan Foundation), Mohamed Nasheed (Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum), Dina Ionesco (Senior Advisor on Migration to the Climate Vulnerable Forum and Vulnerable 20 Group) discussing role of cities within asylum and migration.

Day three started with three parallel paper presentation sessions, each consisting of a number of presentations followed by discussion periods on climate refugees, migration and asylum policies including EU Temporary Protection Directive. Afterwards Harald Sterly and Simon Alexander Bunchuay-Peth from University of Vienna led a plenary session on Environmental and Climate Mobilities Network and its development. The second day of the conference was concluded by a gala dinner and informal networking.

The final day featured interactive workshops designed to foster collaborative learning and discussion in form of concluding workshops titled “Media, Culture, and Climate Migration” with Sophia Brown (Freie Universität Berlin), David Durand-Delacre (UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security), Elena Giacomelli (University of Bolognaand) and “Planetary Politics and Climate Mobilities” workshop facilitated by Simona Capisani (Danish Institute for International Studies) and Ingrid Boas (Wageningen University). These workshops aimed to delve deeper into specific aspects of climate migration, exploring media representation and the global political landscape.

The “Environmental Changes and Migration: Bridging Disciplines for a New Research Agenda” conference provided an enriching experience for all those involved in the study or practice of migration and asylum. By bringing together a diverse group of participants, the conference aimed to bridge knowledge gaps and foster innovative research agendas to address the pressing challenges of climate (im)mobilities. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a global dialogue on shaping the future of climate migration research and policy, and follow us for more information!

 

       

Beyond Borders: Migration, Myths and Media Training for students & journalists by Désinfox Migrations

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Bratislava, 26.6.2024

On June 26, 2024, Tania Racho from Desinfox-Migrations delivered an insightful presentation on the complex and often misunderstood topic of migration and asylum in the European Union (EU). Held as part of an ongoing effort to foster a well-informed and data based public debate, the training addressed several critical aspects of migration and asylum, providing attendees with a rich, data-driven understanding of the issues at hand.

Desinfox-Migrations is a French association committed to enhancing public discourse on migration through scientific facts and objective analysis, collaborating with the Institut Convergences Migrations. Since its inception in 2018, Desinfox-Migrations has been bringing together journalists, researchers, and non-profit professionals to debunk myths and misinformation in order to provide clarity on migration and asylum topics.

The training included key topics on migration and asylum, such as political and media – generated coverage of migration and asylum topics, migration discourse generally used by the politics, EU and media, while illustrating and enlightening us on the migration recent data, figures as well as social and economic conditions migrants face upon entering the EU member states.

The presentation began by exploring how political speech and media coverage shape public perception of migration and asylum. Tania Racho highlighted the rhetoric used during so-called ‘refugee crises,’ touching upon the use of the discourse around the word ‘crisis’ itself, while also examining how politicians leverage the term “migration” for various political gains. This part of the presentation underscored the importance of critical thinking and media literacy, encouraging the audience to scrutinise the information presented to them.

The presentation then delved into the numbers and data surrounding migration in the EU. Tania Racho presented data to demystify common misconceptions, such as the scale of migration and its impact on host countries. By offering a factual basis, she aimed to correct widespread misinformation and provide a grounded perspective on migration trends in the EU.

Looking into the real numbers and data provided a logical base for understanding the root causes of migration. Tania Racho discussed the myriad factors driving people to immigrate but also emigrate back to their original countries. She also touched on the Geneva Convention’s role in protecting refugees, emphasising the precarious conditions and laws that surround immigrants upon entering the European Union member states.

Lastly, Tania Racho addressed the criminalization of migrants. She discussed how legal and political frameworks often unfairly portray migrants as a threat, exacerbating xenophobia, leading to harsh policies. This segment called for a more humane and just approach to migration, advocating for policies based on respect and human rights.

Desinfox-Migrations continues to build a robust platform for monitoring and contributing to the public debate on migration. The organisation remains dedicated to providing high-quality, scientifically-backed information to ensure that political leaders, media and citizens engage with migration and asylum topics in general in a measured and objective manner. As the public debate on migration continues to evolve, initiatives like those by Desinfox-Migrations are crucial in promoting a more informed, compassionate, and objective discourse, paving the way for policies that respect human dignity and foster social cohesion.

 

   

International Summer School on Migration and Asylum

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Bratislava, 23.-28.6.2024

The second edition of the Acronym Summer School on Migration and Asylum, titled “Central and Eastern European Migration and Asylum Policies: Understanding Temporary Protection, Shaping Perceptions, and Fostering Inclusivity” was hosted by the Institute for Central Europe in Bratislava, Slovakia. The program offered a rich blend of interactive lectures, student presentations and activities aimed at providing participants with an in-depth understanding of migration trends, perceptions, and dynamics within the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. To add an element of fun to the learning experience, the program included a scavenger hunt combined with sightseeing in Bratislava, allowing participants to explore the city while engaging in team-building activities. Additionally, students took part in Language Café, which is a meeting point in Bratislava for international immigrants, regularly organised by the non-governmental organisation, Mareena.

The summer school commenced with a keynote lecture titled “Migration: what we know and what we see”  delivered by François Gemenne, Director of the Hugo Observatory at the University of Liège, who introduced the students to the realm of migration and asylum research with an emphasis on borders, particularly European Union’s (EU) external border and the approach of EU’s leaders to migration and border control. It was followed by an insightful presentation by Clarissa do Nascimento Tabosa “Inaccessible Refuge? Examining Liberal Democracies’ Asylum Restrictive Tools. How Central Europe fits this landscape” aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal barriers and the bureaucratic structure of the asylum system in the CEE region.

Among the leading experts in migration within the CEE region, Michal Vašečka delivered a presentation titled “Between rock and the hard place: Recent challenges to migration and integration policies in Europe,”  outlining the various challenges facing migration and integration policies in Europe, emphasising both historical and contemporary trends based on available data, and examining public attitudes and perceptions of migration and asylum within the CEE region. In the context of the recent Ukrainian refugee flows to the CEE region, Olena Khylko, a researcher and assistant professor at Comenius University in Bratislava, provided an outstanding overview of the Temporary Protection Directive through her presentation titled “Temporary Protection Mechanism: Refugees from Ukraine.” She discussed the directive introduced by the European Union as a response to the Ukrainian migration to the EU, detailing its implementation and challenges, while also drawing from her personal experiences as a Ukrainian refugee in Slovakia.

Students also gained insights from the former director of the Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, Ján Orlovský, and crisis manager and former advisor to the Minister of Interior of the Slovak Republic, Branislav Tichý, who jointly shared their insights during the presentation titled “Practical implications of the refugee crisis from Ukraine and transit migration on the (unprepared) Slovak system.” They highlighted the mechanisms and processes of migration and asylum in Slovakia, while also recollecting their individual experiences and involvement during the events at the Slovakia – Ukraine border in February 2022.

One of the highlights of the summer school was a field trip to the refugee camp in Rohovce, organised to provide participants with a firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by refugees. Peter Privitzer, the head of the Rohovce refugee camp, guided us through the facility and explained the asylum processes for those staying at the site. Additionally, as part of the cultural program, participants visited the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, enriching their understanding of local contemporary art and culture. Beyond the enlightening lectures from experts and academics on asylum and migration, and the insightful field trip to the Rohovce refugee camp, students also presented their own research, receiving valuable feedback from both their peers and experts to support their future academic development.

The Acronym summer school provided a week of academically rigorous knowledge and personal perspectives on asylum and migration in Slovakia. During this week, we welcomed 15 young researchers from 11 different countries, offering them a comprehensive educational experience while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among future leaders and experts in migration and asylum policies. We are already looking forward to next year’s summer school in Paris – follow us for updates!

 

        

       

 

Kick off of Acronym project

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In early 2023, ACRONYM embarked on its journey with a pivotal kick-off event held amidst the breathtaking scenery of Štrbské Pleso in the High Tatras, Slovakia. Here, the three project partners convened to inaugurate a significant collaboration. Uniting a consortium of experts, bringing diverse experiences and expertise of each project partner, particularly within the Central and Eastern European region was a starting point for a fruitful cooperation under the Acronym project. This union was not merely about partnership; it was about forging a shared commitment that would propel us beyond conventional boundaries and spark transformative change in the migration landscape.

Together, we embarked on a collective journey, fuelled by a common purpose: to redefine the narrative surrounding migration and to drive meaningful, enduring change. As the event unfolded, unanimous agreement was reached on the importance of cooperation and the roadmap for future activities within the Acronym project.

 

 

First annual conference on asylum and migration

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Conference – European asylum policy after Ukraine

 

The first annual conference on migration and asylum under the ACRONYM project, titled The European Asylum Policy After Ukraine took place in Bratislava on July 12-13, 2023. The conference proved to be an enriching and dynamic event that brought together politicians, policy makers, academics and experts on migration and asylum from various institutions to engage in insightful discussions and meaningful networking.

With a diverse range of thought-provoking sessions, policy discussions, and keynote addresses, the conference fostered a platform for exchange of innovative ideas and cutting-edge research. The keynote address, titled “A Matter of Will, Not Capacity: European Asylum Policy After Ukraine” by François Gemenne from the University of Liège, marked the opening of the conference. Following this, the first panel was introduced by Katarína Cséfalvayová (ICE Director), who also welcomed speakers within the first panel, organised in the form of a policy dialogue. The panel featured Slovak Members of Parliament Andrej Stančík (Demokrati) and Martin Klus (Sme Rodina), politician Ábel Ravasz (Saska) and representative of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Kováč. This panel set the stage for the conference by initiating conversations about migration and asylum policies and their implications and challenges in the aftermath of the Russian war in Ukraine.

After the first panel, the audience had the chance to listen to Valon Halimi, the IOM Chief of Mission in Slovakia. In his address, he emphasised the significance of perceiving migration as an essential component of society, both historically and presently, rather than merely as a problem demanding immediate solutions. This segment of the conference highlighted the pressing need to change negative discussions and dominant narratives surrounding migration.

The second panel led by François Gemenne (Université de Liège) united experts and academics Michal Vašečka (Bratislava Policy Institute), Ján Orlovský (Ministry of Interior of the Slovak republic), Clarissa Tabosa (Comenius University Bratislava) and Tinatini Tsertsvadze (UNICEF) who contributed to the discussion with data, their personal from-the-ground experience and recommendations to policy makers with respect to migration and asylum policies.

 

Part of the conference also included the introduction of the Central European Migration Research Hub, an online platform designed to unite and connect academics, policymakers, experts, and other stakeholders in the field of asylum and migration. The goal of this unified platform is to support the strengthening of interdisciplinary collaboration through networking and sharing of expertise and experiences. Additionally, the platform aims to help researchers make their work accessible to the public and colleagues in the region. Among other functions, this platform serves as an information centre providing updates on the latest publications in the field of migration, relevant conferences, and funding opportunities for projects in this area.

In the afternoon, two academic panels, composed of researchers and academics, introduced various aspects of migration and asylum studies. In the first panel, attendees had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Mgr. Ángel Torres-Adán, PhD. (Slovak Academy of Sciences), who investigates people’s willingness to help migrants, especially Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. His presentation, titled “Who’s willing to help? An analysis of individual willingness to help Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia,” elucidated the key and decisive factors influencing people’s willingness to help migrants. Another intriguing presentation, “Public service translation and interpreting in refugee crisis: Challenges and barriers in migrants’ access to mental healthcare in Slovakia” by Soňa Hodáková, PhD., (Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra) highlighted the aspects and problems faced by translators and officials working with migrants, which greatly impact many aspects of migrants’ lives, such as mental and physical health resulting from life changes, often associated with trauma from war and resettlement. Researcher Mag. Malwina Talik, MA, (Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe) discussed aspects and differences in the perception of migrants of various nationalities in a presentation titled “Refugees (Un)welcome! A Comparative Analysis of the Response to Refugees and Other Migrants at the Poland-Belarus and Poland-Ukraine Borders: Lessons Learned for the European Asylum Policy.”

The presentation “Care in Crisis: Failures to Guarantee the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Refugees from Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia” by Mgr. Martina Zboroňová (Freedom of Choice / Comenius University Bratislava) highlighted many barriers and obstacles regarding health aspects that migrants, especially migrant women coming to Slovakia, must overcome. Another aspect of migration in Slovakia was presented by Mgr. Juraj Marušiak, PhD. (Slovak Academy of Sciences) in the presentation “War in Ukraine and its impact on Slovakia´s migration policy with the main focus on refugees of Roma origin“. The presentation highlighted the influence of Slovakia’s migration policies on migrants of Roma origin and the obstacles and difficulties they face in Slovakia. Last but not least, the presentation titled “The importance of living heritage safeguarding among displaced communities from Ukraine” by Mgr. Martina Wilsch, PhD. (Slovak Academy of Sciences) emphasised the need and importance of protecting the living cultural heritage of displaced and affected communities in Ukraine due to war. The protection of cultural heritage is crucial not only for preserving culture and building psychological resilience against aggression but also for strengthening mutual relations between the host society and resettled communities.

The first edition of the Migration and Asylum Conference, held in Bratislava, brought together numerous experts, providing a space for dynamic discussions about the migration, while also highlighting its often negative perception within society.  Presentations, discussions, and the establishment of a platform for researchers to connect were just a fraction of the conference’s success. Positive feedback confirms that there is an increasing interest in the issues of migration and asylum policy, not only from a professional but also from a human perspective. We believe that these stimulating discussions will continue to develop and evolve in future editions of the conference.