Gesine Schwan is the president of the Berlin Governance Platform (formerly the HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA Governance Platform), a former professor of political sciences at the Free University of Berlin, and the chair of the SPD Commission for Basic Values.

"This powerful and thought-provoking book uses deep insight and compelling arguments to challenge the EU over its failures in regard to its refugee policies. Gesine Schwan's vision for a more compassionate and humane approach is a must-read for anyone interested in shaping a fairer world. The book's concrete proposals, especially those related to working with municipalities, are more topical now than ever before."- Katarina Barley, vice-president of the European Parliament. "In this timely book, Gesine Schwan makes a compelling argument to support her proposals for a new EU refugee policy. Her innovative approach sees municipal authorities playing the leading role and it provides solutions that prioritise human rights and the fair distribution of responsibilities. A must-read for policymakers and for advocates of a better Europe." - Jens Geier, member of the European Parliament, Germany. "Gesine Schwan's book argues strongly and convincingly that European asylum policy need not be cynical about the thousands of people who lose their lives on their way to Europe and can instead be shaped in a way that is both humane and in everyone's interests." - Dr Naika Foroutan, professor of Integration Studies and Social Policy at the Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin and director of the German Center for Integration and Migration (DeZIM)