Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration Calls for Regional Cooperation in Migration Governance

The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Prof. Anna Triandafyllidou, has called for greater regional cooperation in migration governance. These migration policies, she notes, will be vital for reaping the benefits of migration and should be proactive rather than punitive.

She made these remarks while delivering a lecture at the University of Ghana on the theme "Repositioning Migration Governance." The event, hosted by the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), brought together faculty, students and migration policy experts to discuss the complexities of global migration trends.

Prof. Triandafyllidou stressed that every country benefits from migration in various ways and must approach migration policies with honesty and transparency. "Governments must be sincere with their citizens about the realities of migration. Migration contributes significantly to economic growth, social development, and cultural exchange. However, policies must be designed to facilitate safe and structured mobility," she noted.

She also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration at the regional level to promote free movement while balancing national interests. According to her, many border control measures across the world have been overly restrictive rather than addressing the root causes of migration.

"It is difficult to completely close borders because nations are interdependent and rely on each other for trade, labor, and knowledge exchange. Rather than focusing on restrictive measures, governments should invest in policies that provide real solutions to migration challenges," she argued.

Prof. Triandafyllidou’s visit to the University of Ghana underscores the growing relevance of migration research in shaping policy decisions.

For her part, the Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, who also serves as the IDRC Research Chair for Forced Displacement in Anglophone West Africa, Prof. Mary B. Setrana, commended Prof. Triandafyllidou for her insightful lecture, describing it as a thought-provoking analysis of migration governance in the current global landscape.

Prof. Setrana highlighted that migration remains a complex socio-economic and political phenomenon that requires inclusive governance structures and needs to be seen beyond the movement of people. She pointed out that African states, particularly those in the Sahel region, are at a crossroads, having left the ECOWAS to form a new regional block and how that will impact free movement in the sub-region. 

"The recent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States presents a unique opportunity to rethink migration governance and cross-border relations in Africa. Their breakaway from ECOWAS raises questions about how migration frameworks will evolve in the region. This is a critical moment for policymakers to engage in meaningful dialogue and ensure that migration policies remain beneficial to both sending and receiving countries," she noted.

Prof. Setrana further highlighted the role of the Centre for Migration Studies in being at the forefront of academic and policy discussions on migration issues. She reiterated the Centre’s commitment to providing evidence-based research to inform both national and regional migration policies, especially in the context of forced displacement and labor mobility in West Africa.

Prof. Triandafyllidou is a globally recognised scholar in migration governance, having contributed extensively to research on migration policy, integration and social cohesion. Her work focuses on understanding how governments, institutions, and societies respond to migration challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. 

As the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration, she leads innovative research on the dynamics of global migration and the development of inclusive policies that address labor mobility, refugee protection and immigrant integration.

Her lecture on "Repositioning Migration Governance" called attention to the urgent need to rethink existing migration policies to reflect modern realities. She argued that migration governance must move beyond reactive policies that focus solely on border security and irregular migration control. 

Instead, she advocated for a more holistic approach that includes international cooperation, regional agreements, and sustainable migration pathways that benefit both host and origin countries. According to her, by repositioning migration governance, governments can create policies that support economic growth, enhance social stability, and protect the rights of migrants.

Several attendees at the lecture contributed to the discussion, raising concerns about the increasing securitisation of migration policies, the role of African governments in protecting migrants' rights and the potential of regional integration efforts in addressing irregular migration.

The lecture served as a platform for knowledge-sharing and engagement, reinforcing the University of Ghana’s commitment to contributing to impactful research that informs policy and governance on migration issues.

The event was attended by policy and governance experts in migration, faculty and staff of the University, as well as students of the Centre for Migration Studies.