Perspectives from the FAiR research project
The FAiR final event will take place on the 8th and 9th of October 2026 in Geneva.
During this two half-day event, we will present and discuss our key findings from our 3.5 year project. We will cover return migration governance, with a focus on legitimacy, human rights, and policy implications and seeks to foster dialogue among different stakeholders from EU and non-EU countries.
Format: The event will feature short presentations of key findings and participatory panel discussions. Each session will review the project’s key outcomes and jointly explore ways to translate them into actionable policy.
Target audience: Researchers, public servants, practitioners and civil society representatives
Thursday 8th October |
|
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Registration of participants |
| 15:15 – 15:30 | Welcome and introduction |
| 15:30 – 16:30 |
The (geo)politics of intergovernmental return migration frameworks This panel will delve into the complexities of international return governance, exploring the parameters influencing such negotiations between governments. The objective is to set empirical foundations for prospects on future intergovernmental cooperation in a field characterised by asymmetrical bilateral relations and quite complex and interrelated variables.
|
| 16:30 – 16:45 | Coffee break |
| 16:45 – 17:45 |
Lifting the lid on every day return dynamics The voices of returnees and non-governmental practitioners are insufficiently represented in the public discussion and policies on return. This leads to a security bias which overlooks the human realities of return. This panel brings to light overlooked representations in return governance, contributing to fostering an inclusive public discussion reflective of all stakeholders’ agency and needs.
|
| 17:45 – 18:00 | Closure of the day |
Friday 9th October |
|
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome and short introduction |
| 09:15 – 10:30 |
Fostering a culture of fundamental rights monitoring and accountability in return This panel will explore the state of human rights monitoring in return governance, highlighting systemic weaknesses such as limited access and independence, under-resourced systems and fragmented EU-level coordination. Panellists will discuss how these gaps undermine migrants’ rights and propose ways to create more effective, accountable monitoring mechanisms.
|
| 10:30 – 11:30 |
Shaping viable non-return policies in a polarised Europe The panel will shed light on alternatives to return, showing the range of possible options and perspectives, as well as lessons learnt in terms of impact and implementation dynamics. Regularisation campaigns will notably be examined in light of their health, labour and societal benefits, providing a reflection for viable regularisation pathways.
|
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 – 13:00 |
At the crossroads of return policy: Where are we headed? This forward-looking panel will look at the future of return policies, taking into account important recent developments that are the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and the new EU Return Regulation. The objective is to reflect on how FAiR findings can inform future policies.
|
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Closure of the conference |
| 13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch |