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Experts discuss global migration at Glendon Global Debates

Migrants receive shelter in a temporary camp

Experts in the field of global migration will lead a public discussion to debate the ramifications of migration at the upcoming Glendon Global Debates conference on Jan. 18, an event organized by the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs.

Running 6:45 to 9pm at the A100 – Centre of Excellence, Glendon Campus, York University, the event will dive into topics and questions including:

• Political, economic, social and cultural impact of global migration in the West and around the globe;
• The Middle East crisis and the impact of immigration and refugee crisis in the Western countries;
• How is global migration and refugee crisis impacting Canada? What can we do better?
• What are some of the new ideas to address migration and refugee issues?

The migrant crisis in Europe and the Middle East that has shaped the political discourse around the world, and specifically in Europe and North America. The desire to take back control over immigration propelled many Britons to vote for Brexit. In the U.S. elections, Donald Trump promised to crack down on illegal immigration that got him elected last November.

The war in Syria and the refugee crisis continues to occupy political leaders as to how to address the migration and refugee crisis. While the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that overall G20 countries have benefited from global migration – from economic and labour market perspectives – yet immigration and refugee issues continue to dominate public discourse.

In 2015, the number of migrants worldwide was the highest ever recorded, having reached 244 million (from 232 million in 2013). Europe remains the highest destination for migrants, followed by the U.S., Australia, Canada and other part of the Middle East.

Panellists for the conference are:

The Hon. Jean Augustine, first Fairness Commissioner of Ontario and former Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women)
• Idil Atak, associate professor and graduate program director, Department of Criminology, Ryerson University
• Mark Martin, director, Office for Refugees, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto
• Anna Purkey, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University

The conference will be moderated by Pamela Divinsky, executive director, The Mosaic Institute.

Visit the event website for more information, or to register to attend.