Understanding migration through dialogue, evidence and international perspective.
The Future of Migration Project brings together interviews, comparative perspectives and structured dialogue to help Europe address migration with less heat and more intelligence.
About the project
Founded in 2024, the Future of Migration Project examines how migration is discussed, understood and managed across Europe and beyond.
In its preliminary phase, the project was built on detailed discourse analysis, observation of academic networks and their focal points, and close attention to migration-related developments in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
The aim is not to add another slogan to an already over-heated debate. The aim is to listen carefully, understand different national and political perspectives, and build bridges between people who too often speak past one another.
We are grateful to several German foundations for basic information and contacts, especially the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, both of which are active internationally.
Listening, understanding different perspectives, and building bridges.
The core idea
Migration is a long-term European question, not a short-term media cycle. The project therefore focuses on comparison, dialogue and political education rather than simple, one-size-fits-all answers.
Our goal
To broaden European perspectives on immigration in a way that helps the European Union and its member states reduce escalation, open up practical opportunities, and address complex challenges in a balanced way.
International exchange
Contributing to deeper international exchange in and with Europe, especially where national debates are becoming too narrow.
Political understanding
Supporting political education for young Europeans and representatives of political interest groups.
Better questions
Identifying additional areas of research and helping frame migration as a serious policy challenge, not a shouting match.
Migration policy needs sharper thinking and better rooms.
The project is designed to bring experts, institutions and civil society into more structured dialogue, across borders and across perspectives.
What we are planning to accomplish
The project combines research, interviews, dialogue-building and network development.
- Contribute to more intensive international exchange in and with Europe.
- Build bridges between different national, political and institutional perspectives.
- Contribute to political education for young Europeans and political interest groups.
- Identify additional and crucial areas of research.
- Strengthen networks and develop new communication channels.
- Recognise opportunities for national, regional and multinational dialogue.
- Facilitate broader mindsets and more constructive policy discussion.
Where we are now
Expert interviews across member states
Semi-structured interviews with experts in selected European countries make it possible to compare national perspectives, formulate similarities and differences, and provide initial explanations.
Bi-national and multi-national meetings
The first bi-national meetings are being prepared. By comparing countries, representatives from different sectors and discourses will be able to test their assumptions and define topics for further dialogue.
Comparative perspectives
The project will continue to develop country perspectives, interviews and dialogue formats that help clarify how migration is understood in different political and social contexts.
Project team
The Future of Migration Project is coordinated by Dirk Bornschein and European Diplomats.
Dirk Bornschein
Political scientist, PhD. Previously programme coordinator in Central America, researcher in the field of migration and development, author and editor in Latin America.
Since returning to Europe in 2022, Dirk has researched Asian and African countries and migration discourses in Germany.
Alistair Starling
A former UK diplomat with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Alistair has worked on international relations across Europe, the USA and Africa.
He has two Master’s degrees, including one from the University of Cambridge, and has extensive experience in public speaking, international networks and government-facing work.
Join the conversation.
We welcome contact from researchers, foundations, policymakers, educators and institutions interested in comparative dialogue on migration and Europe’s future.