From 21 to 23 January 2026, the Observatory of Migration and Human Rights (OMHR) at the University of Split hosted the international Staff Week “Migration and Sustainable Development Goals 2030”, organised within the SEA-EU European University Alliance. The event brought together OMHR representatives, academics, and researchers from SEA-EU partner universities to exchange knowledge, strengthen cooperation, and discuss future strategic directions in the field of migration and human rights.
The Staff Week was framed by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognises migration as a key factor in achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Discussions were guided by the principle of “Leaving No One Behind”, highlighting the need to integrate migration and human rights perspectives into policy-making, research, and institutional practices across Europe.
Participants reviewed the development of the Observatory and its growing role within the SEA-EU Alliance. OMHR has consolidated a stable international academic network and promoted an interdisciplinary approach to migration studies, while increasing the involvement of PhD candidates and early-career researchers. The use of hybrid formats was also highlighted as an effective tool for expanding the Observatory’s outreach.
A key focus of the Staff Week was the identification of strategic priorities and concrete actions for the coming period. These include strengthening impact assessment and monitoring mechanisms, improving the dissemination of research results beyond academia, enhancing engagement with policy-makers and societal stakeholders, and securing sustainable funding for long-term activities.
Several future deliverables were outlined, such as the organisation of upcoming Annual International Forums, the publication of the 2024 Forum outcomes in an academic journal, and the launch of monthly online seminars starting in September 2025, each hosted by a SEA-EU partner university. Clear milestones and performance indicators were defined to ensure continuity and measurable impact.
The academic programme featured lectures and panel discussions on migration and the SDGs, climate-induced migration, gender and migration, access to healthcare, maritime migration, asylum law, artificial intelligence in migration management, and human rights education. The diversity of topics reflected the interdisciplinary and international nature of the Observatory.
The OMHR Staff Week in Split reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning within the SEA-EU Alliance, further strengthening the Observatory’s role as a platform for research and dialogue on migration and human rights with tangible societal impact.
