Research and Writing Weekend Hamburg: „Europe between Solidarity and Responsibility“
… sequel to the project series „Fortress Europe – Migration at Europe’s External Borders“ in 2015
The journey is not over yet. European refugee policy on its way to itself – reflections on the project series „Migration at Europe’s External Borders – Fortress Europe?“ from 2008 to 2015
You can access the full report in German here.
It’s just twelve months ago that the German embassy in Rome pointed us to the shortcomings of Italian administration as the reason for the difficulties of the authorities to deal with – at that time – 100,000 refugees. In the fall of 2015, it is clear that this was likely not a crucial aspect for the development of refugee movements. Perspectives – especially the German one – have changed in tandem with the scope of the refugee issue. Yet the fundamental issues that the project team has dealt with in different compositions since 2007 remain remarkably consistent. Only the culmination points of European refugee policy are no longer Ceuta and Melilla (as in 2007), Evros and Patras (2012) or Pozzallo and Lampedusa (2014), but Munich, Passau and Hamburg.
To collect impressions and results of the previous phases of the project series in the light of current events, the team met for a research and writing weekend in Hamburg in mid September. One of our first appointments were the exhibition halls: For weeks, hundreds of volunteers have been gathering here to sort donations. Some helpers come every day, others just briefly pass through after work. Without concern to offend donators, a sign at the entrance clearly formulates what is currently needed and what not: socks, linen and earplugs are welcome, but please take teddy bears, promotional gifts and books in German back home.
The provisional character of dealing with refugees was a recurring motif during all project phases – at the local level there is always a refugee “crisis” (…)
Continue reading: You can access the full report in German here.
Participants of the research weekend (f.l.t.r.): Florian F. Woitek, Nele Weßels, Janna Weßels (project leader), Klaas Hendrik Eller, Julia Lemke
Ressources
- Report
Report on the research and writing weekend that looks back on the project series (in German) - Weekly newspaper „der Freitag“ from October 1st 2015
“The Borders are squirming” – article marking the anniversary of the disastrous shipwreck off Lampedusaon 03 October 2013 - Neue Gesellschaft Frankfurter Hefte 9/2015
“A long term approach is lacking – how Europe responds to the refugee crises” – article about solidarity and responsibility in the Common European Asylum System - Final Programme
The programme of the research and writing weekend in Hamburg
Navigation
back to project series
Stage 1: Spain/Morocco 2008
Stage 2: Greece 2012
Stage 3: Italy 2014