26th International Migration Conference

The 26th International Migration Conference will take place from 10 to 12 June 2026 at htw Saar in Germany.

Participation means more than political participation and is closely linked to questions of the ‘good life’ and recognition. It encompasses participation in decisions that affect one’s own life, especially in the context of democratic processes.

Since the 1990s, German-language migration research has identified insufficient participation by migrants. This concerns political participation (e.g. barriers to citizenship), social participation (disadvantages in the labour market and education system), and cultural participation (limited self-determination and access to services).

In public discourse, participation is usually presented as an integration problem. Migrants are often held responsible for their lack of participation. Since the 2000s, there has been an increased emphasis on integration obligations, such as language acquisition and economic integration. As a result, participation has been reduced to migrants’ contribution to integration.

In contrast, more recent approaches emphasise participation as the creation of spaces of possibility. Multicultural policies, anti-racist, postcolonial and decolonial perspectives or concepts of ‘multicultural conviviality’. They understand participation as comprehensive access to equal participation.

The 26IMC examines how and whether people who can be discredited on racist grounds are involved in relevant decisions. The aim is to map participation. To identify forms, practices and attitudes of participation, discuss new developments and lines of conflict, and analyse their significance at political, social, cultural, spatial and virtual levels – in both democratic and non-democratic contexts.

Participation is thus understood as the key to a sustainable, peaceful and united future.

Cooperation Partners