Enhancing cooperation among the Prague Process states

News

The online event 'Launch of the Prague Process E-Learning Platform' took place on 23 September 2021.

The event introduced the content and functionalities of the newly established e-Learning Platform, developed within the Prague Process Training Academy. The Prague Process Secretariat shared its plans concerning the development of further courses and other relevant ongoing or upcoming activities within the Training Academy and Migration Observatory. The e-Learning Platform provides educational material for independent, self-paced remote learning in English and Russian. In this way, it aims to provide the migration authorities of the Prague Process states with an overly flexible and user-friendly tool to enhance vocational training among their staff. The courses correspond to the six thematic areas of the Prague Process Action Plan.

This online event was reserved for the Prague Process participating states, representatives of international organizations and EU Agencies actively involved in the Process.

You may watch the recording in English or in Russian.

We are glad to share the new issue of the Prague Process Quarterly Review covering various developments, events, and activities of the third quarter of 2021.

Financial media often refer to specific periods that typically provide rough conditions. The historical realities of the stock market in particular talk of the ‘September Effect’ when the leading indexes perform the poorest. For the global community, not only September but the entire third quarter of 2021 was marked by the shock arising from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Most Prague Process states voiced their concern over the anticipated migrant exodus. The decision of Albania to accept 4,000 Afghan asylum seekers on its territory stands out in this context.

Since 2013, the Maastricht University | UNU-MERIT is runninig the Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP).This programme is specifically designed for migration government professionals, providing a focus on theoretical knowledge, as well as practical skills such as articulation and presenting; how to write briefs, policy notes and memoranda; how to formulate evidence-based policy; and how to work in a group and deal with conflicting interests. Throughout the programme, participants will benefit from the helpful input of the core teaching team (part of UNU-MERIT | Maastricht University), visiting migration experts in the field, and guest lecturers from well-known international organisations in different country contexts.

The Prague Process Webinar ‘Demography and migration in the Prague Process region’ with Prof. Ronald Skeldon, Maastricht University and University of Sussex, took place on 30 September 2021.

The webinar focused on one of the widely recognized global processes: the decline of human populations. Rapid population growth accompanied development during the second half of the 20th century. Demographic decline or the potential for decline will underlie development over the first half of the 21st century. This webinar and the accompanying Policy Brief drew attention to some of the inherent tensions created by this process and specifically its linkages with migration, both internal and international. The webinar flagged up the overall demographic trends across the Prague Process countries, identified differences amongst them, and highlighted policy issues that would need to be addressed, particularly in terms of migration policies.

You may watch the recording in English or in Russian.

In August 2021, the radical Taliban movement took control of almost the entire territory of Afghanistan. Fearing for their lives, many Afghan citizens want to flee the country. The prospect of a migrant influx from Afghanistan greatly concerns the Central Asian countries, since radical Islamists may also cross the border along with the displaced population. To effectively counter and be prepared for different scenarios, the Central Asian countries have been strengthening their borders and enlisting the support of fellow member states of regional associations, such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The new Policy Brief 'Impact of the Situation in Afghanistan on the Central Asian Countries: Implications for Migration' authored by Ulan Nogoibaev describes the situation in Afghanistan and the related policies of the Central Asian countries in terms of possible forced displacements.

The world in the second half of the twentieth century was characterized by rapid population growth. The spirit of the age was well captured in the book, Population Bomb, in which the fear of overpopulation and of demographic growth out of control were going to lead to the collapse of societies. These fears were shown to be exaggerated, largely because overall growth has declined since then.

The new Policy brief authored by Prof. Ronald Skeldon focuses on one of the widely recognized global processes: the decline of human populations. Rapid population growth accompanied development during the second half of the previous century. Demographic decline or the potential for decline will underlie development over the first half of the present century. This Policy Brief draws attention to some of the inherent tensions created by this process and specifically its linkages with migration, both internal and international. It flags up the overall demographic trends across the Prague Process countries, identifies differences across the countries, and highlights policy issues that will need to be addressed.

The Prague Process webinar ‘Demography and migration in the Prague Process region’ with Professor Ronald Skeldon, University of Sussex and Maastricht University, will take place on 30 September 2021 at 10:30 CET.

The webinar will focus on one of the widely recognized global processes: the decline of human populations. Rapid population growth accompanied development during the second half of the 20th century. Demographic decline or the potential for decline will underlie development over the first half of the 21st century. This webinar and the accompanying Policy Brief will draw attention to some of the inherent tensions created by this process and specifically its linkages with migration, both internal and international. The webinar will flag up the overall demographic trends across the Prague Process countries, identify differences amongst them, and highlight policy issues that will need to be addressed, particularly in terms of migration policies.

On 17 September, the Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia held a videoconference with the representatives of the Agency of External Labour Migration of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The discussion focused on the priorities of Uzbekistan in the area of labour migration, pre-departure preparation of labour migrants, experience-sharing in the given area and cooperation within the Prague Process.

Page 4 of 26