On 13 May 2025, a noteworthy panel discussion entitled “Climate Change and Migration Flows in the International Context” was held. It was organized by the Scuola di Perfezionamento per le Forze di Polizia (SFP) as well as by the Rome-based “Tor Vergata” University. Several experts, academics and authorities participated in this event and analyzed the complex interconnection between climate change and the increase inmigration flows, issues of growing relevance in the global debate.
The session was opened by the welcome address delivered by National Police Dirigente Generale Maurizio Vallone, Director of the SFP and by Nathan Levialdi Ghiron, Rector of the Rome-based “Tor Vergata” University. Both of them underlined the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to understand and address the challenges related to migration, which is largely fostered by climate change, a phenomenon that is particularly affecting the most vulnerable regions of the world.
The event was presented by Mr. Antonio D’Acunto, Prefetto and Head of the Anti-Bullying and Youth Discomfort Agency of GREG, as well as by Enzo Rossi, President of GREG and Professor of Political Economy, who participated in video-conference. During his presentation, Mr. D’Acunto underlined the urgency of coordinated action at an international level, while Mr. Rossi highlighted the close links between climate issues and the new geopolitical balances.
One of the main lecturers, Mrs. Loredana Mirra, CREG Coordinator and Professor of Political Economy at the Rome-based “Tor Vergata” University, provided an in-depth analysis of the economic implications of migration flows caused by natural disasters and environmental degradation. Mr. Laurence Hart, Director of the Coordination Office for the Mediterranean of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), illustrated the strategies adopted al global level to support migrants and address the risks associated with climate change.
Mr. Paolo Rozera, Director General of UNICEF Italy, spoke about the situation of migrant children and highlighted the specific vulnerabilities to which children are exposed and the protection policies needed to ensure their well-being in a context of global crisis. Mr. Paolo Iafrate, Professor of National and European Regulation on Immigration at the Rome-based “Tor Vergata” University, illustrated the constantly evolving regulatory framework and described in details the challenges and opportunities for Italy and Europe in terms of integration and reception.
The event concluded with a lecture delivered by Mr. Marco Minniti, President of the MedOr Foundation, who underlined the importance of more effective and crisis-preventing migration policies, and stated that climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also a crucial matter regarding international security and stability.
As a matter of fact, this panel discussion represented a fundamental opportunity to analyze the connections between climate change and migration flows, thus highlighting the need for an integrated global response, involving governments, international institutions and civil society. This event contributed to lay the groundwork for finding increasingly urgent and necessary solutions to these problems, with the aim of safeguarding the future of the world and its population.
