FEPS priority topics

1 . The current digital revolution and the European Pillar - Implications for the labour market, education and social protection

2 . Climate change and growth strategy driven by SDGs for all EU regions

3 . New financial solutions for investment and convergence in the EU: MFF, EFSI, EMU reform, Capital Markets Union. The role of tax policy

4 . Managing migration in the EU: internal and external implications

5 . The EU trade policy and the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs

6 . The multipolar world order, the EU and the multilateral system

7 . New instruments to deepen EU democracy and fighting against populism

Fresh Thinking Blog

A place where Ernst Stetter (Secretary General of FEPS) shares his fresh thoughts about Brussels, Europe and beyond.

FEPS Global Migration Group

2018 may represent a turning point in the global governance of migration. The United Nations member states, in fact, are currently negotiating what it may become the first multilateral agreement on migration, the Global Compact on Migration, that should be officially adopted in Casablanca next December.

To reflect on one of the main challenges of the present and the future and to contribute to the general debate around the many aspects of this crucial topic, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies has established a high-level working group – chaired by former Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato and composed of academics, experts and practitioners from Europe, Canada, Mexico, India, Senegal, and Australia – who wrote a progressive proposal presenting a new progressive narrative on global migration, based on the fundamental principle of solidarity and respect of human rights, as well as on a real and deep understanding of the current political environment in many Western states. The result of this work will was presented in a conference in New York, during which participants will be also asked to reflect on the ways to implement the Global Compact in the years to come.

Prioritising people: a progressive narrative on migration

10 points of reference for a different migration

High Level Seminars

Rome, 1-2 March 2018

Dakar, 16-19 May 2018

New York, 22 September 2018

Public Conference in New York (21 September 2018)

The Event

The Programme

Read the keynote speech by Giuliano Amato, former Italian Prime Minister

Press Release

Watch the interviews with the speakers: 

See the photos of the event

FEPS-FMS Migration Magazine

In the summer of 2015, migration became a key issue within European politics. Although the number of refugees and migrants entering the EU has decreased since then, the topic gained even more importance on the political agenda. There have been several European summits, policies were drafted and the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), consisting of over three billion euros, was created.

These current policies are based on the idea that by increasing development in African countries, through for example job creation, the need for African youngsters to migrate to Europe will reduce. But is this really the case? Many academics claim that economic development in African countries gives potential migrants the capabilities for their migration aspirations, as it provides migrants with the financial means to migrate. Again, what is true? And also, what would be an alternative to this policy directive?

Alarming is that the voice of Africans themselves, living in the countries of origin and the diaspora living in Europe, are not included in the European debate on migration. This debate now focuses on European perspectives of how to deal with the incoming groups of migrants. To fill this gap FEPS and FMS are carrying out a research that focus mostly on Ghana and Tunisia, two countries of origin for irregular migrants, to research the incentives for migration and policies targeting this. Why do people want to migrate? What is the importance of migration for them? And how can we make migration beneficial for all?

In this magazine, we will keep you updated on our progress and the outcome of the research!