27th International Migration Conference

The 27th International Migration Conference will take place from 17 to 18 June 2026 at Technische Hochschule Köln in Germany. The focus lies on «Forced Migration».

“Forced migration” has been a topic of public controversy at least since the “Summer of Migration” in 2015. Within the field of migration studies as well, there is ongoing discussion of the crisis in the European border regime—made visible by the ongoing migration flows to Europe and symbolized by the numerous, repeatedly amended Dublin Regulations.

The reform of the “Common European Asylum System” (CEAS), which has been in effect in European Union member states since June 2026, must be viewed in the context of this ongoing “policy of isolation.” The official goal of the new asylum system is to manage and regulate migration in Europe as a whole, limit irregular migration, and uphold humanitarian standards for those seeking protection. The reforms are intended to preserve open borders within the Schengen Area while simultaneously limiting the right to protection and asylum to those fleeing war and persecution. Civil society organizations such as Pro Asyl criticize that this reform has made fleeing to EU countries even more difficult and has made genuine protection for refugees and persecuted individuals even less realistic.

This year’s IMK will be held against the backdrop of current developments in cooperation with the Cologne Refugee Council (Kölner Flüchtlingsrat e.V.).

Further information will follow.

Cooperation Partners