Nordic immigration policies in flux: Domino effects and shifting paradigms
This seminar discusses the drivers of recent policy changes in Nordic countries, their impact, interlinkages and future challenges
Nordic countries have experienced a slow U-turn in their national asylum and immigration policies. Traditionally seen as liberal front-runners regarding refugee protection and free movement, the last two decades have seen a wide range of more restrictive policies. In some cases, Nordic countries have even pioneered internationally unique measures in relation to new temporary protection and family reunification schemes, border closures, and new third-country partnerships. Consequently, Nordic countries find themselves in the international spotlight both politically and in relation to international human rights and refugee law discussions.
This seminar explores the underlying drivers behind these policy changes, their impact, and interlinkages across Nordic countries and beyond. We ask leading Nordic scholars and legal experts: How have domestic interests and international trends impacted policy changes in each of the Nordic countries? When have Nordic immigration policies evolved co-extensively or out of sync, and how does this impact Nordic cooperation? To what extent have the ‘New Nordic’ immigration policies impacted similar reforms at European and international levels? What are the future outlooks for immigration policy and Nordic collaboration in light of EU’s new migration and asylum pact, current migration trends and increasing labor shortages across Europe?