FINAL CONFERENCE

Shaping the Future of Return and Reintegration

SAVE THE DATE – INVITATION

“Circular Return and Migration”

Tuesday | 24 November 2026 | 09:00–17:30 CET  

 

Katholische Akademie in Bayern | Munich, Germany

Hybrid Event  | On-site & Online

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Final Conference of the Circular and Return Migration (CRM) Certificate Program marks the culmination of a three-year international continuing education initiative led by the Munich Forum for Dialogue (MFD) and the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK).

The CRM study program has brought together migration professionals from 21 countries and 3 continents to strengthen expertise, foster international cooperation and promote sustainable approaches to voluntary return and reintegration.

As Europe enters the implementation phase of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum (GEAS), effective return, sustainable reintegration and international cooperation are becoming increasingly important.

The conference brings together CRM alumni from across Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as practitioners, researchers and civil society, to exchange experiences, discuss current developments and explore future approaches to circular and return migration.

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Hosted by
Munich Forum for Dialogue (MFD)
University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) in cooperation with BAMF

WHAT TO EXPECT

The conference provides an international platform to:

  • Inspiring discussions and international perspectives
    Exchange between countries of origin, transit and destination.
  • Practice meets research
    Evidence-based approaches combined with practical field experience.
  • Networking
    Meet experts, project partners and participants from more than 15 countries.
  • CRM Graduation Celebration
    Celebrate the successful completion of the CRM Certificate Program.

AGENDA

WELCOME & OPENING

PANELS – a.m.: presentations and roundtables

  • Governing Return: Exploring recent developments in (national) circular and return migration policies, key implementation challenges, and priorities for more effective governance
  • Transnational Cooperation on Return: Theory vs reality – this panel asks and answers what happens in between countries of origin, transit and destination

THEMATIC SESSIONS – p.m.: Case studies from program graduates

  • Protecting the Vulnerable: When standard procedures fail the people who need them most, who steps in — and what do their cases reveal about the protection gaps still left open?
  • Informed Decision-Making & Digital Innovation: Virtual contact centres, digital storytelling, social media as counselling tools – is digital technology a solution or complementation to the existing systems
  • Institutional Capacity Building & Skills Across Borders: From skills training in Türkiye to reintegration support in Nigeria: how do you turn a one-way return into something that looks more like circular migration?  

Q&A I CRM GRADUATION CELEBRATION I CLOSING

We would be honoured to welcome you to this final conference and kindly ask you to reserve the date. If you would like to pre-register now and receive updates and detailed information about the conference directly in your inbox, please do this via the contact form.