EMN Slovakia Podcasts

2025│Vassiliy Yuzhanin: Ways to build strong (bilateral) labour mobility pathways (in English)

In this presentation, Vassiliy Yuzhanin examines ways to build strong bilateral labour mobility pathways, with a focus on bilateral labour migration agreements (BLMAs) as a key tool for regulating labour mobility between states. He explains the different types of agreements used in this field and how they fit into broader international and European frameworks. Yuzhanin discusses how BLMAs can support labour market needs, protect migrant workers, and create regular pathways for mobility. 

This presentation was part of the EMN Slovakia 2025 National Conference entitled “Sustainable Labour Mobility in Action: Bilateral Pathways for a Prosperous Slovakia.” We recommend listening to the podcast while following along with the accompanying PDF document, which you can find at www.emn.sk. 

The conference was organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Slovakia and the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic as members of EMN Slovakia. This activity was funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2025│Martin Kahanec: Labour mobility as a tool for economic resilience and growth (in English)

In this presentation, Prof. Martin Kahanec looks at labour mobility as a tool for economic resilience and growth in Europe. He outlines how migration interacts with demographic change, labour shortages, and economic shocks, and what this means for European labour markets. Drawing on research and data, Kahanec discusses the role of mobility in helping economies adjust and remain competitive. The lecture focuses on Europe and the changing role of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries within these mobility patterns. 

This presentation was part of the EMN Slovakia 2025 National Conference entitled “Sustainable Labour Mobility in Action: Bilateral Pathways for a Prosperous Slovakia.” 

The conference was organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Slovakia and the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic as members of EMN Slovakia. This activity was funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2024│Pascal Reyntjens: Climate change, conflict, and food security: perspectives from Chad (in English)

Why should we care about what’s happening in Chad? In this lecture, Pascal Reyntjens emphasizes the need for a people-centered and human-rights-based approach to tacking climate change. He also points out how its harsh effects in Chad intensify forced displacement and worsen existing inequalities. Pascal delves into the complex interplay between climate change, conflict, food security, and migration, stressing the importance of international collaboration and investment, tailored responses, and durable solutions. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2024│Fahmida Miah: How climate change creates the movement of people? Testimonies from across the world (in English)

How can we effectively communicate climate change and inspire change and climate action? In this lecture, Fahmida Miah explores the impact of climate change on patterns of human movement, presents testimonies from individuals affected by climate change and forced displacement, and discusses key concepts linking climate justice to migrant justice. Fahmida also explains the impact of dangerous narratives related to climate migration and offers strategies for more effective communication on these topics. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2024│Linda Cottone: The role of humanitarian border management in traditional border governance (in English)

In this lecture, Linda Cottone introduces the topic of Humanitarian Border Management (HBM), emphasizing the crucial role of preparedness and planning in responding to humanitarian crises. Linda Cottone discusses the rights, principles, and obligations underpinning HBM and highlights the importance of clear definitions. You will learn about HBM´s dimensions, objectives, its application in different emergency contexts including the response to the war in Ukraine, and the potential risks associated with the lack of HBM strategy. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2024│Michal Vašečka: What are the attitudes of the public towards foreigners and migration? (in English)

In this lecture, Michal Vašečka examines how the period of increased migration in Europe in 2015 has exposed challenges within Central European countries and revealed concerns regarding the inclusivity of these societies towards "others." Drawing on public opinion polls, Vašečka discusses discrimination and low levels of sensitivity faced by various types of migrants. The lecture also proposes strategies for overcoming these issues and empowering migrants. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2024│Lenka Šafránková Pavlíčková: Stereotypy z pohľadu lokálnej politiky integrácie cudzincov (v češtine)

Lenka Šafránková Pavlíčková sa vo svojej prednáške zameriava na problematiku integrácie cudzincov na lokálnej úrovni, konkrétne v meste Brno. Analyzuje výzvy, akými sú stereotypy, dezinformácie a etnocentrizmus, ktoré brzdia efektívnu integráciu cudzincov do spoločnosti. Lenka predstavuje interkultúrnu prácu v samospráve ako kľúčový nástroj na prekonávanie týchto výziev a zdôrazňuje potrebu lepšej komunikácie a koordinácie integračných politík. 

Prednáška bola súčasťou 10. Vzdelávacieho seminára EMN o migrácii 2024 s názvom Demýtizovanie migrácie a využitie jej potenciálu. Pri počúvaní prednášky odporúčame zároveň sledovať súvisiacu prezentáciu, ktorá je k dostupná na www.emnseminar.sk. 

Seminár na Slovensku každoročne organizuje Medzinárodná organizácia pre migráciu ako koordinátor Národného kontaktného bodu Európskej migračnej siete v Slovenskej republike. Táto aktivita je financovaná Európskou úniou a spolufinancovaná Ministerstvom vnútra Slovenskej republiky. 

Ďakujeme, že ste si nás vypočuli. 

2024│Karin Atassi: Budovanie mostov prostredníctvom práce kultúrnych mediátorov v meste Brno (v češtine)

Prednáška Karin Atassi ponúka jedinečný pohľad na jej prácu interkultúrnej pracovníčky na magistráte mesta Brna, ktorá zohráva kľúčovú úlohu pri podpore migrantov a utečencov z krajín ako Sýria, Egypt a Irak. Karin Atassi vás vo svojej prednáške prevedie témou dôležitosti jazykovej podpory, kultúrnej mediácie a orientačných programov, ktoré pomáhajú migrantom po príchode do novej krajiny začleniť sa do života v nej a získať prístup k nevyhnutným službám. 

Prednáška bola súčasťou 10. ročníka Vzdelávacieho seminára EMN o migrácii 2024 s názvom Demýtizovanie migrácie a využitie jej potenciálu. Pri počúvaní prednášky odporúčame zároveň sledovať súvisiacu prezentáciu, ktorá je k dostupná na www.emnseminar.sk. 

Seminár na Slovensku každoročne organizuje Medzinárodná organizácia pre migráciu ako koordinátor Národného kontaktného bodu Európskej migračnej siete v Slovenskej republike. Táto aktivita je financovaná Európskou úniou a spolufinancovaná Ministerstvom vnútra Slovenskej republiky. 

Ďakujeme, že ste si nás vypočuli. 

2024│Nicole Epting: Forced displacement in the world and Central/Eastern European region (in English)

Did you know that more than 117.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of 2023? In this lecture, Nicole Epting provides insights into the current developments in the realm of forced displacement, both globally and within the Central/Eastern European context, with a special focus on the situation in Ukraine, covering risks, needs, and return intentions of those forcibly displaced. The lecture also offers an overview of the solutions to displacement and highlights the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing the issue. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening.

2024│Koko Warner: Latest migration trends in the world and migrant vulnerabilities in changing climate (in English)

In this lecture, Koko Warner presents an overview of data on international migration, delves into trends in irregular migration to Europe, and explores the relationship between climate change impacts and population movements, as well as their implications for vulnerable migrants. She also highlights the importance of data for action that informs what needs to be done in order to reduce the vulnerabilities of populations exposed to climate-induced disruptions. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

2024│Vladimír Šucha: Evidence-based policymaking with impact (in English)

How does evidence-based policy-making work, and how can it be made impactful? What are the challenges and possible solutions when bridging science and policy mindsets? In the lecture, Vladimír Šucha explains what needs to be taken into account when creating policies and what the policy cycle looks like in practice. As an example, he presents initiatives launched by the EU to enhance migration data and evidence in response to the migration situation in 2015-2016. 

This lecture was part of the 10th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2024 entitled “Demystifying Migration and Harnessing Its Power”. We recommend following the lecture together with its presentation which you can find together with all podcasts from the seminar at www.emnseminar.sk. 

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. 

Thank you for listening. 

Martha Mendoza: How to best cover and communicate human trafficking stories? Tips for policymakers and journalists

How to best cover and communicate stories of human trafficking and modern slavery by policymakers and the media? How to make sure that the communication is not only comprehensible to the general and professional public but also protects the victim? How to incorporate the fact that human trafficking is a sensitive topic with a broken human being at the centre of it? In this lecture, Martha Mendoza teaches us how to communicate the stories of survivors based on her practical experience as an award-winning investigative journalist.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Heather Komenda: Global estimates and datasets on human trafficking & examples of effective assistance to the victims

A lecture by Heather Komenda discusses new global data and databases on victims of human trafficking and how to effectively assist victims of this crime while providing examples from practice. Throughout the lecture, the need for and importance of data gathering, mainly through a case management system, is highlighted as a tool that can significantly improve not only new policies but also the overall experience of victims of human trafficking.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Samuel Okyere: The global anti-trafficking framework: overview, issues and debates

Anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling initiatives are very often part of or informed by border regulation or border control measures. In this lecture, Samuel Okyere looks back at the 20 years after Palermo Protocol and discusses who actually benefits from the antitrafficking efforts. His talk leads you through the topic of modern slavery from the perspective of international legal instruments and how these translate into assistance to victims of trafficking and exploitation while looking at the issue of border control exceeding the human rights protection.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Katarina Schwarz: Slavery is not a crime in almost half the countries in the world – how can we change that?

Modern slavery, human trafficking, law, intersections with migration and immigration issues and policies as well as some emerging trends and concerns in the anti-trafficking space are the keywords of the lecture delivered by Katarina Schwarz. In this lecture, you will hear about the way international legal frameworks govern the issues of trafficking and slavery, you will review fundamental definitions of these practices, and look at domestic legislation and victim protection.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Michele LeVoy: Regularisation and other ways to protect undocumented migrants / migrants in irregular situations

In this lecture, Michele LeVoy talks about undocumented migrants and people who have irregular migration status. She introduces the challenges that are faced by undocumented migrants who very often live in poverty and are exploited and abused. Within the lens of this matter, she also talks about possible solutions that governments are looking at, with a focus on regularisation policies – trying to achieve legal migration status.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Abril Ríos: “Alone, we go fast. Together, we go further”. Migrants’ collective (dis-) empowerment in the Americas

What are migrant caravans? How are women and their position affected? Based on her experiences and research results, Abril Ríos transfers you to Mexico to introduce not only the issue of migrant caravans, but also other forms and clusters of cooperation created or used by migrants in Mexico that are less visible or well-known compared to migrant caravans.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Simona Carnino: The Power of Passport – documentary screening and discussion

“In our world, there are those who can travel freely and those who cannot. This disparity depends on several reasons but especially on the passport one holds,” says Simona Carnino, a freelance journalist and documentarist while introducing her documentary The Power of Passport. Carnino’s lecture introduces you to her experience as a documentarist who focuses her work on human rights, environmental and migration issues mainly in Latin America.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Dardan Koçani: Smuggling and organized criminal networks in migration flows: focus on Southeast Europe

For many migrants, smuggling is often the only way to reach a more developed country. Smuggling is a growing transnational crime that threatens the lives and safety of migrants while undermining the integrity of national borders and migration management systems. In this lecture, Dardan Koçani introduces the topic of smuggling, together with the results of an at the time unpublished study on the implications of the war in Ukraine for south-eastern Europe.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Baptiste Amieux: The global mobility and access to identity

This lecture provides insight into mobility and border crossing between countries around the world, particularly from the perspective of legal identity (i.e., how migrants present themselves to the authorities of a given country). Baptiste Amieux talks about how access to identity and documentation supports safe and legal migration around the world and how it helps the development of a country.

This lecture was part of the 9th EMN Educational Seminar on Migration 2023 entitled "Protection of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations". All podcasts and presentations from the seminar are available at www.emnseminar.sk.

The seminar is organised by the International Organization for Migration Slovakia as the coordinator of the Slovak EMN National Contact Point. This activity is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.

Thank you for listening.