Worlds Apart?

Human mobility is increasingly viewed in ambivalent and contradictory ways by African and European actors. While European policymakers tend to focus on the need to stem irregular migration, facilitate returns and strengthen border controls, African stakeholders tend to stress the positive effects of migration and the promotion of legal mobility. This divergence demonstrates each party’s different priorities and political calculations. Nevertheless, there is scope for compromise on many issues, including on legal migration. Furthermore, the European Union’s (EU) interest in addressing the root causes of migration aligns with the development priorities of African governments. The three overarching goals of Worlds Apart? Perspectives on African-EU Migration are: first, to contribute to narrowing the differences between African and European approaches to managing migration; second to reconcile divergent perspectives from diverse actors in Africa–EU migration; and third, to encourage greater public awareness and policy cooperation in this vital area in order to protect vulnerable migrants In December 2018, 164 member states of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the first-ever UN-led global agreement on a common approach to international migration governance in all of its dimensions. This book provides an analysis of the opportunities from which both Africa and Europe can benefit following the adoption of the UN Global Compact on Migration. This 20-chapter and seven-part edited volume offers an accessible introduction to Africa’s security and governance challenges in relation to migration; African migration to the EU; Africa and the global migration governance agenda; the root causes of Africa–EU migration; the role of civil society in Africa–EU migration; the UN’s role in Africa-EU migration; as well as issues concerning African diasporas and remittances. The essays are academically rigorous and policy-relevant, but are also accessible and jargon-free. The book is thus aimed at both experts and the general reader. The volume further seeks to shape policy and public debates in Africa and Europe by highlighting the positive aspects of migration which are often missed in discussions around these issues. African migrants not only often make substantial contributions to the growth and prosperity of their countries of origin, but are also doing so in their countries of destination through tax contributions, and expenditures on housing, goods and other services. Worlds Apart? Perspectives on Africa–EU Migration, thus, explicitly seeks to reconcile misconceptions of Africa–EU migration in an effort to offer nuanced contributions to these ongoing debates.