The International Organization for Migration (IOM), as the coordinator of the European Migration Network (EMN) in Slovakia, conducted the Destination Europe workshop for law students of Trnava University on 27 November 2024. The workshop provided an engaging opportunity for 14 future legal experts to dive into the complexities of migration decision-making through an interactive role-playing activity.
The session began with an introduction to the topic of migration, providing an opportunity to see the multifaceted nature of migration. Then, through the Destination Europe activity, participants took on the roles of key stakeholders, such as government officials, municipality representatives, business-owners, NGO representatives, and other actors involved in migration decision-making processes. As they navigated scenarios, students faced tough decisions requiring them to weigh various factors while considering the perspectives and arguments of their peers.
Feedback from participants revealed that the activity was both eye-opening and challenging. While initially the measures they wanted to vote for seemed straightforward, students quickly realized the complexity of the task when they accounted for the details, interests, priorities and other factors outlined on their role-play character cards and heard the differing viewpoints of their colleagues. This experience highlighted how migration decisions are shaped by diverse factors, including social, economic, humanitarian considerations and many other.
The workshop not only enhanced students’ understanding of migration but also helped them develop valuable skills such as communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. By stepping into the shoes of policymakers, students experienced firsthand the challenges of balancing different interests and the impact of their decisions on migrants as well general public.
EMN Slovakia organizes Destination Europe workshops which usually takes 1.5 hour. This workshop can be accompanied by a lecture on migration. The workshops are free of charge. We will be glad to provide you with more information. Please contact us by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
