Immigration policy cannot be based solely on general assessments and quick decisions. It requires in-depth analysis and consideration of the real situation at the community level. This was emphasized during an expert discussion by Antonina Berezovenko – Director of MoveUkraine.
The event took place within a series of public and expert discussions organized by the Mykhailo Ptukha Institute for Demography and Quality of Life Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies, and the Office of Migration Policy, with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. The series is aimed at preparing the Strategy of State Migration Policy of Ukraine until 2035.
According to Antonina Berezovenko, effective immigration policy is impossible without accurate research at both national and local levels.
“We need to understand the situation in specific communities: how many vacancies there are, what they are, and how the local population perceives them.”
She also stressed that even in conditions of a significant labor shortage, internal resources of the country cannot be ignored – people who are currently not involved in economic activity but have the potential to contribute.
Separately, Antonina Berezovenko emphasized the importance of older generations for Ukraine’s economic and social development. They created the scientific and technological foundation that ensures the country’s competitiveness today.
“Excluding these generations from the economy is very unwise.”
She also drew attention to risks for human capital: Ukraine may lose highly qualified professionals while simultaneously attracting lower-skilled labor, which could negatively affect long-term economic development.
We draw your attention to the fact that on May 19 at 11:00 AM, a round table discussion titled “Migration Policy 2035: Expert Alignment and Appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine” will take place.
The goal of the event is to present the final version of the draft Strategy of State Migration Policy of Ukraine until 2035 and to form a shared position of the academic community on the need to transition to a long-term, managed, and evidence-based migration policy as part of rebuilding Ukraine’s human capital.
The event will summarize a series of expert discussions in which researchers in demography, labor markets, and migration worked on forming a systemic vision of the state strategy in this area. The final document incorporates proposals on the return of Ukrainian citizens from abroad, integration of internally displaced persons, regulated immigration, internal mobility, and interagency coordination.
A full recording of Antonina Berezovenko’s speech is available in the video below.
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