The migration conference, which is being held for the third year in a row, will focus primarily on the labour migration of European Union citizens and on the Nordic-Baltic region. Whereas just two years ago the topic of migration required more of an introduction, with discussion needing to be sparked and large-scale emigration and the threat of a 'brain drain' setting off alarm bells, this year's conference comes at a time when migration is the focus of fiery debates in Estonia and the Nordic countries – indeed, it was one of the key issues of the recent parliamentary elections in Estonia.
The organisers of the conference – the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia, the University of Tartu, the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research and the Estonian Ministry of the Interior – will be presenting the latest facts, studies and developments, overturning myths and providing an overview of the options available to skilled migrant workers to adapt in their new environment.
"Migration is a personal issue for everyone in a world with open borders," says Christer Haglund, the director of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia. "Many people know someone who's gone to live in another country to work or study, or for the life experience, or to escape poverty, war or violence. That's led to a lot of opinions and strong feelings arising in relation to migration in a world where there are open borders and open information space. But we'll also be looking at and analysing new facts so as to shape a better future."
MEP Marju Lauristin will be giving an overview of the diversification of society that comes with immigration; the impact of migration flows on the Nordic countries will be discussed by Rasmus Ole Rasmussen from Nordregio; and Kersti Kivirüüt from the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research will be looking at how children from migrant backgrounds cope in the education systems of the Baltic States. The programme for the conference and information on the speakers.
The working languages of the conference will be Estonian and English (with simultaneous interpreting).
Press contacts:
Madis Kanarbik, Head of the Tartu branch of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia | E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Mobile: +372 50 46 570
Tiit Tammaru, Professor of Population and Urban Geography, University of Tartu | E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Mobile: +372 50 57 331