Workshop in İzmir on the role of stakeholders in migration dynamics

On 21 February 2025, members of the COST Action COREnet CA20107 convened in İzmir, Türkiye, for a workshop organized by Working Group 5: “Diverse Perspectives – Stakeholders in Migration Dynamics.” This event brought together a diverse group of academics, policymakers, and representatives from key organizations to exchange insights on migration issues in Türkiye from legal, social, economic, and cultural perspectives.

The workshop commenced with a welcome and opening speech by Prof. Dr. Bayram Yılmaz, Rector of Dokuz Eylül University. The event was further enriched by a keynote speech from Dr. Deniz Coşan Eke, Co-leader of COREnet Working Group 4, whose remarks provided a valuable framework for integration policies, drawing on the experience of Austria and the role of faith-based organizations in immigrant adaptation and interreligious dialogue.

A highlight of the workshop was the presentation by Engin Anar, Commander of the Turkish Coast Guard, who discussed collaborative initiatives to combat migrant smuggling. Working in close partnership with the Gendarmerie and Greek authorities, the Coast Guard’s joint surveillance and intervention strategies aim to mitigate human trafficking and reduce the risks migrants face at sea.

Presentations by key representatives underscored the pressing issues in migration management. Eylül Başak Tuncel of the UNHCR İzmir Office, Selen Karaoğlu of the IOM İzmir Office, and Dr. Ürün Perçin Boyacıoğlu from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality all highlighted critical priorities, including refugee protection, labour integration, and urban integration. The Basmane neighbourhood, an area historically marked by multicultural communities, was particularly emphasized as a region facing significant challenges, including rising poverty and the ghettoization of migrant populations.

Aleyna Sezen, a lawyer from the İzmir Bar Association, addressed the legal complexities surrounding refugee representation, while Didem Şahal Çelik from the İzmir Directorate of Migration Management provided an overview of the procedures for adult refugees without legal residence permits and the activities for the integration of unaccompanied minors.

Academics also weighed in on the broader implications of migration trends. Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrem Aşkar Karakır and Prof. Dr. Burçak Müge Vural separately examined the causes of migration from Middle Eastern and North African to Türkiye and the impact of migration on Türkiye’s labour market, inflation, and trade dynamics. In addition, COREnet Working Group 2 Leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aybiçe Tosun Süvüt presented a discussion on the integration of religious minorities within Türkiye’s educational system, with a focus on language barriers and the challenges of cultural assimilation.

The İzmir workshop highlighted the complex and multifaceted nature of migration management. It underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation across humanitarian, economic, and legal spheres. As migration flows continue to intensify, participants stressed the need for inclusive policies that balance security concerns with the preservation of human dignity.