The management of migration flows is always an issue of great relevance and it is a key international topic nowadays given the geopolitical situation arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The complexities of large and constant migration flows are well known in the southern European region, given the large number of displacements from African shores. Countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece have been living with these migratory flows for many years, and migration policy management is a recurrent issue there.

Today, the focus is on Central and Eastern European countries, which are the main recipients of Ukrainian refugees. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 6 million refugees have fled Ukraine since February 2022. Although around 2 million have already returned, there are still many who remain outside their territory due to the continuing hostilities.

Particularly important is the role of Poland, which received more than 3 million refugees. The figures make it clear that Europe faces one of its greatest challenges in migration management. There is an urgent need to bring liberal voices together to exchange best practices from both sides of the Mediterranean, as well as to identify issues where liberal parties’ proposals have a similar stance, in order to harmonize proposals and policy action that address migration issues.

Welcome words
David Henneberger
FNF Madrid Head of Office.

Key note: Current situation in Poland.
Karolina Zdrodowska
Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, Poland.

Panel discussion
Speakers:
Karolina Zdrodowska
Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, Poland.

Dr. Mamadou Lamine Ba
Former Minister of International Cooperation, Senegal.

Jan-Christoph Oetien
Member of the European Parliament, FDP, Germany

Sara Giménez
Member of the Spanish Parliament, Ciudadanos, Spain.

Moderator: Dr. Milosz Hodun
International Officer of Project: Polska Association and International advisor at Nowoczesna.

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