The Challenge of the Refugee Crisis – Panacea or Pandemonium for Europe? Undergraduate conference 2016
European countries are struggling to respond to an unprecedented surge in desperate migrants, the largest movement of people Europe has seen since 1945. The largest group of people come from war-torn Syria but there are many from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Eritrea, or Kosovo. The growing crisis has led to politically charged arguments about Europe’s open borders and sharing the burden. Disputes are heated not only about definitions of ‘migrants’ vs. ‘refugees’ but also what obligations – legal, moral, etc. - European states have in dealing with this crisis. Many have argued Europe’s Schengen Area is under threat, European traditions and values are at risk, and open border arrangement only help terrorist infiltrate European societies. At the same time, Europe’s aging population results in a shrinking workforce and a shortage of labor market needs.
The Political Science Department hosts a 3-day conference for undergraduate students to address these challenges and opportunities from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Participants will have a unique opportunity to participate in debates between student participants, as well as experts from different fields of expertise and European countries.
The conference takes place at CEU’s downtown campus on 15-17 August 2016.