Senada Šelo Šabić Moderated a Panel on Polarisation and Labour Migration at the NECE Lab in Zagreb

On behalf of IRMO’s Centre for Migration Studies, Šelo Šabić moderated the panel “Polarisation around labour migration – narratives, actors and tensions”. The panel brought together representatives of local government, employers, civil society organisations and a European think tank. The discussion explored public perceptions of labour migration, the roles of different stakeholders, and the tensions accompanying changes in local communities. 

A central question of the programme was how to discuss migration openly and on the basis of evidence without deepening divisions. Countries in the region, traditionally characterised by emigration, are increasingly becoming destinations for migrant workers. This shift raises questions that go beyond labour market needs: how to foster inclusion, build trust, and bring together the responsibilities of public institutions, employers and civil society. 

The programme included insights from European researchers, workshops on participatory methods, facilitated group discussions, and the development of proposals for local activities. The emphasis was on connecting knowledge with practical action — turning discussions about migration into cooperation on concrete integration challenges.