Professor Degila, could you walk us through this recently initiated ARP?
I sought out a triangular collaboration between the Global Migration Centre to which I am a Faculty associate, the Sierra Leone Mission in Geneva and myself. Over my professional career I have been able to garner key relationships with African ambassadors and partners in International Geneva. These partnerships came in handy when seeking to source a project on the topic of Migration (Mobility, Migration & Boundaries). The ARP seeks to give students a unique opportunity to think about the root causes of illegal migration in Africa, such as traversing the Sahara desert, going across the Mediterranean and confronting dangerous situations. The idea is to flip the perspective and ask ourselves why this population of youth still chooses to go ahead and select an illegal migration path, despite knowing the risks. We explore the root causes and analyze this through an institutional framework by engaging reflections on questions related to governance. We explore how the choice of an illegal and perilous trajectory remains attractive in these countries and explain the calls of the “Western El Dorado” mirage.
What are the principal aspects of the project?
I ask the students to look at the countries and the candidates of clandestine immigration. We explore in which situation are state institutions of these countries? How public policies are designed and implemented there to address the needs of populations, particularly youth? What are the relationships between corruption, bad governance, structural violence ? How do we explore structures of illegality and neopatrimonial practices? The impact of horizontal inequalities as a push factor? I urge students to think differently and put at the forefront what drives these young people to engage in such morbid adventures?
What is the methodology of the work, how would you say the structure is tailored?
Students focus on outlining their theoretical framework and research. It’s crucial that they are able to source first-hand materials, primary evidence, despite interviews with migrants proving to be a difficult pathway. As you can imagine, it often difficult to do direct interviews with recent migrants, so finding alternative sources is key, notably through NGOs and foundations which support people on the move. Besides, the students are offered an opportunity to discuss their research with the partner and get constructive feedback and insights. I mainly supervise the project and the GMC plays a key role in facilitating research collaboration, such as sourcing willing interviewees and participants who are happy to share their stories.
What are some of the principal reasons you sought this introduction between the MINT programme and the GMC?
One of the principal reasons is that the GMC deals with migration, so it allows students to make sense of these causes and deal with the expertise of the professors and researchers affiliated to the centre, but also a network of people internally and externally pertaining to migration.
The approach of the Global Migration Centre to human mobility studies is unique as it is grounded in an interdisciplinary perspective. The project allows students to interact with structures outside of the institute and find things that will allow them to engage and have experiences with high profile stakeholders.
How do you believe the collaboration with the HE Ambassador Gberie of Sierra Leone will affect the projects?
The network of an ambassador and local connections always is an advantage. He can support us in potentially opening doors for the students and can bring a critical perspective and strategic guidance, which is a unique asset. He is equally involves in the activities of the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) and has served as a coordinator for the African group on issues related to migration. His insights will be certainly beneficial. The Ambassador’s meeting with the students twice a month offers an accessible and positive engagement, and he is consistently open to interacting with them. This engagement is a privilege.
How important is this opportunity for the MINT Programme and its Students?
It is a great opportunity. It sends the signal that the ARP makes the MINT programme a high profile one that requires confidence of stakeholders and brings valuable contribution for the students. The students have the opportunity to interact with high level practitioners, such as diplomats, and plant the seeds for internship opportunities. Students will often find that these partnerships are a great experience professionally to find ways to connect theory and practice, which is a key point of the MINT programme. It is privilege to have access to this diplomatic world. ARPs are an important practice and a unique experience.