Mercator Dialogue on Asylum and Migration (MEDAM)

The European asylum and immigration system remains in crisis: large numbers of refugees and migrants seek entry into the European Union, leaving it to struggle with providing for their basic needs, distributing asylum applicants among EU member states, and efficiently integrating recognized refugees into their host societies. In a fundamental and permanent change to the political landscape and public debate in Europe, immigration from outside the EU has become one of the greatest concerns among European citizens.

At the same time, many Europeans realize that sustainable immigration from third countries will be crucial in alleviating demographic tensions, addressing labor shortages, and rendering the EU a more innovative region.

The Mercator Dialogue on Migration and Asylum (MEDAM) seeks to de-emotionalize an often heated debate and provide a scientifically sound basis for decision making. The research and consultation project identifies and closes gaps in existing research and develops research-based solutions for asylum and immigration policies, addressing the most pressing concerns of policy makers from an independent European perspective.

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  • Second Project Phase Started

    Within the framework of a second funding by the Mercator Foundation, the MEDAM project will run until the end of 2022.

    For three years now, researchers from three renowned institutions have been working to close research gaps in the field of asylum and migration, and to create scientifically sound foundations for political decision making and to carry these into politics through direct dialogue activities.

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  • WAMiG Stakeholder Workshop in Accra

    WAMiG researchers Judith Altrogge, Kwaku Arhin-Sam, Leonie Jegen and Franzisca Zanker discuss their research findings with academics and civil society activists from Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Gambia.

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  • 2019 MEDAM Assessment Report launched

    The new EU Commission should now tackle asylum and immigration policy afresh and overcome the impasse in the reform of the EU asylum system that has persisted since 2016. In this 2019 MEDAM Assessment Report, we present insights from MEDAM research and policy dialogue since 2016 to explain how closer cooperation among EU member states and with countries of origin and transit can improve outcomes for all stakeholders. Read the full report here.

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