Webinar Between ad-hoc coping and ‘chaos of solidarity’: managing with Ukrainian war refugee migration in Warsaw and Leipzig: a comparative perspective

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has resulted in a record number of refugees seeking asylum in EU Member States. Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic have become the main destination countries. The first six months were crucial for analysing the response of public institutions and civil society, particularly with regard to providing refugees with housing, healthcare and education for their children.

Our insight is the direct result of over a year of collaboration between Polish and German researchers who shared the goal of understanding and comparing the reactions of two important cities: Warsaw and Leipzig to the mass arrival of people seeking refuge in the first months of the 2022 crisis.

Funded by a grant from the Polish-German Foundation for Science, this research project was conducted by two scientific institutions: University of Warsaw, Poland, and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ in Leipzig, Germany.

Drawing on extensive research, including document and media analysis, as well as qualitative interviews with experts and stakeholders, our project aims to document this distinctive moment, explaining the social mechanisms that shaped Warsaw’s and Leipzig’s institutional and civic response to this unexpected and rapidly evolving challenge.

During the seminar, we will present a clear, research-based account of how public institutions and civil society responded to the sudden, large-scale arrival of refugees. Our intention is to demonstrate the limitations and strengths of state capacity under extreme pressure, while emphasising how grassroots mobilisation can supplement or even replace formal systems of support.

Due to the recommendations it contains for public institutions and civil society organisations, the results of our project can also inform the preparation of national and local governments for humanitarian crises related to the influx of refugees. Our research also considers the perspective of the EU and EU law in this area, particularly with regard to temporary protection.

Schedule

12 Introduction of topic and participants (5min) – Marta Jaroszewicz

12.05 Presentation of the project – Maciej Duszczyk (5min)

12.10 Presentation of conceptual and methodological framework and
research results for Leipzig – Annegret Haase (20 min)

12.30 Presentation of research results for Warsaw – Agnieszka Bejma, Jakub Jessa (20 min)

12.50 Q&A + Discussion with the participants (50min)

13.40 Summary (5min) – Maciej Duszczyk, Annegret Haase

Centre of Migration Research Warsaw,
Thursday 19th of March, 12.00-13.45

https://uw-edu-pl.zoom.us/j/92269094360?pwd=xqOMVCsRzqKwpjpSbZ19CIKBtOiHbx.1