Shaping the Future of Migration Governance: Summer School on Migration and Human Rights

An international programme exploring the legal, policy and technological dimensions of migration governance in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Over the past week, the 11th Summer School on Migration and Human Rights, jointly organized by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and John Cabot University (JCU), brought together 52 students , practitioners and professionals from 29 countries to examine the legal, policy and technological dimensions of one of today's global challenges.

Running from 13 to 17 July, the Summer School provides an interdisciplinary forum to explore the evolving relationship between migration, human rights, international law, security and emerging technologies. Through lectures, interactive discussions, case studies and practical exercises, participants engage with experts from academia, the United Nations system, international organizations and civil society.

As migration patterns become increasingly shaped by conflict, climate change, economic instability, technological innovation and transnational crime, the programme equips participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to develop rights-based, evidence-informed and sustainable responses.

Addressing today's migration complexities

The Summer School examines migration from multiple perspectives, combining legal, humanitarian, policy and technological approaches.

Key themes include:

• International human rights, humanitarian, migration and refugee law

• Protection of asylum seekers, refugees and migrant children

• Irregular migration and the relationship between security and human rights

• Trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants

• Access to health and social inclusion

• Migration, development and integration

• Artificial intelligence and digital border management

• Algorithmic decision-making in migration systems

• Disinformation, public narratives and evidence-based counter-narratives

Throughout the week, participants explored how governments and international organizations can respond to rapidly evolving migration dynamics while safeguarding human dignity, fundamental rights and the rule of law.

Special Opening Event on climate-induced displacement

The Summer School opened with the Special event "Climate-Induced Displacement and Migration: A Global Challenge" which highlighted one of the fastest-growing drivers of human mobility worldwide. The event featured the screening of the documentary Climate Refugees: A Global Challenge by François-Xavier Trégan, followed by a panel discussion examining the legal, humanitarian and policy implications of climate-related displacement.

The Special Opening Event included welcome remarks by:

• Mary Merva, Vice President of Academics and Professor of Economics, John Cabot University;

• Cristina Nardelli, Senior Fellow and Specialised Courses Programme Coordinator, UNICRI.

The panel discussion was moderated by Silvia Scarpa, Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs and Full Professor of International Relations at John Cabot University, and featured distinguished experts:

• Fausto Pocar, Professor Emeritus at the University of Milan and former President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY);

• Christopher Hein, Professor of Law and Policy on Immigration and Asylum, LUISS University;

• Nicola Colacino, Full Professor of International Law, Centre for Advanced Defence Studies - University School (CASD-SSU).

Closing remarks were delivered by Antonia Maioni, President of John Cabot University.

Building Expertise for Better Migration Governance

Hosted at John Cabot University's campuses in the heart of Rome, the Summer School offers participants a unique opportunity to exchange experiences across disciplines, regions and professional backgrounds while strengthening international networks.

By fostering dialogue between academia, international organizations and practitioners, the course contributes to developing innovative, rights-based approaches to migration governance capable of responding to rapidly evolving global realities.