Oxford Forum for International Development 2021: Talk by Ton Dietz about migration

Ton Dietz gave a talk and participated in a panel about migration during the Oxford Forum for International Development (OxFID2021). The panel consisted of Monique Pariat (DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission); Amanda Bisong (ECDPM Maastricht); Milka Yemane (Lemat Foundation to support Eritreans abroad) and Jessica Hagen-Zanker (coordinator migration research at ODI). 

 

In his talk, Prof. Dietz explained that long-distance migration is not in the first place driven by poverty, but by development. Also, this development should be supported, he said, not anti-migration policies. His other message was: do not spend development money to strengthen border controls within Africa, as it goes counter to a strong trend of African unification and collaboration.