Header image for Mänskliga Rättighetsdagarna 2025
Profile image for Integrating Migration in Development Aid – Lessons from Europe

Integrating Migration in Development Aid – Lessons from Europe

Wednesday December 10, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 CET M6

Moderator: Henrik MalmLindberg
Panelists: Johan Schaar, Jesper Bjarnesen, Mats Hårsmar, Jessica Schultz

Almost two years have passed since the Swedish government introduced its reform agenda for development cooperation, followed by a strategy for global engagement on migration, return, and readmission. As a result, questions about how migration policy objectives are integrated into development aid have gained renewed relevance—both as matters of governance and of values. Which goals are prioritized? How is the content, direction, and legitimacy of aid affected?

At the same time, several other European countries—such as Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany—have already moved further in linking migration with development cooperation. What lessons can Sweden draw from their choices?

This session presents preliminary findings from a forthcoming research anthology that explores how such reforms have been implemented and governed in practice. Following a short introduction by the editors, one chapter author will present national insights, followed by a panel discussion with researchers and representatives from EBA, Sida, and the Swedish Migration Agency.

The discussion aims to make a complex policy area more accessible by offering concrete examples and fostering informed dialogue. The audience is encouraged to participate actively through polls and questions via Mentimeter.

Organizer

Delegationen för Migrationsstudier

Topic

Demokrati
Migration
Metod och goda exempel

Målgrupp

Civilsamhälle

Språk

English

Programform

Konferensprogram (60 min)
Nivå: Medel

Lecturers

Henrik MalmLindberg Moderator

Delmi

bitr. kanslichef på Delmi och redaktör för kommande antologi på temat Migration, bistånd och utveckling: Erfarenheter från europeiska länder

Johan Schaar Panelist

SIPRI

Associate Senior Fellow på SIPRI

Profile image for Jesper Bjarnesen

Jesper Bjarnesen Panelist

Nordiska Afrikainstitutet

Seniorforskare vid Nordiska Afrikainstitutet

Mats Hårsmar Panelist

Expertgruppen för Biståndsanalys

Biträdande kanslichef, EBA

Jessica Schultz Panelist

Senior Researcher, Christian Michelsen Institute