The Governance of Migration in a Globalizing World

The challenge

International migration is an inherently transnational issue that requires cooperation among countries and a variety of stakeholders, including local governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations. A coherent international, institutional framework for the governance of migration is yet to emerge, even though important steps have been taken, such as the signing of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees. In a globalizing world, collective action and cooperation also transcends national borders and puts pressure on governments and international organizations to reshape the global migration policy agenda.

Our research focus

CERC Migration is monitoring and assessing developments in the global governance of migration structures and frameworks. Specific issues we are investigating include:

• The regional and global consultations related to the two Global Compacts, and the role of different types of institutions and actors within those, notably international organisations, as well as origin and transit countries and their capacity to present alternative perspectives in migration governance. (Zeynep Sahin Mencutek, Younes Ahouga, Anna Triandafyllidou)
• The determinants and drivers of mixed migration, and the interrelated governance of asylum and refugee resettlement in Canada, regionally (in North America) and globally, through both legal and international relations perspectives. (Maggie Perzyna)
• The emerging paradigm of transnational governance and cooperation, labelled as migration partnerships, with a special focus on Africa and the potential for power imbalances to exist behind such ‘partnerships.’ (Oreva Olakpe)
•  The socio-legal and political dynamics of the migratory flows between China and Africa, and within the Global South with a special focus on issues of citizenship, rights, and community building from alternative ‘southern’ approaches. (Oreva Olakpe)
• The role of information technology and particularly Artificial Intelligence in the governance of migration in Canada and internationally. (Lucia Nalbandian, Anna Triandafyllidou)