The international scientific conference “Migration on the Edge of Europe: trends, policies and challenges”, organized by the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies (Croatia), was held in Zagreb on September 29-30, 2022. The conference brought together scholars and experts from the region and worldwide working on migration issues and included many panels and discussions. Members of the MIGREC team presented three papers.
Natalija Perisic and Dejan Pavlovic presented their paper entitled “The Vicious Cycle of Migration Policy Planning in the Republic of Serbia.” The authors discussed whether there is authentic strategic thinking and action in Serbia regarding the challenges of migration. Accordingly, they analyzed numerous laws, regulations, and policies related to formal migration policy. They emphasized that migration management in Serbia is also influenced by other incentives that come from the EU or international organizations dealing with migration.
Danica Santic, Marija Antic, Milica Langovic, and Natalija Perisic presented the paper entitled “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Migration Patterns in Serbia”. The presentation aimed to determine the change in migration trends in Serbia since 2020 under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was pointed out that during this period returnees and irregular migrants were particularly vulnerable. The researchers also discussed migration policies in Serbia during this period towards these categories of migrants.
Milica Langovic, Danica Santic, Biljana Apostolovska-Tosevska, Mirjanka Madjevikj and Marija Ljakoska presented their research “Identification of Migration Intentions of Geography Students in Serbia and North Macedonia”. The presentation focused on the migration intentions of students and the factors that influence their decision to migrate or stay in their country of origin. It was highlighted that a large number of students in Serbia and Macedonia intend to migrate. Accordingly, certain measures were offered to reduce the outflow of young people from these countries.
