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LDE GMD 10th Anniversary Conference

  • Date: Wednesday 29th October 2025 (10:00 – 18:00)
  • Location: Theatre Walhalla Veerlaan 11, 3072 AN Rotterdam
  • Language: English
  • Admission: Free of charge for registered participants
  • Register before October 22!

register Here


About the conference

This 10th-anniversary conference is a timely occasion to reflect on the past, present and future in the governance of migration and diversity. The conference focuses on academic and societal debates on the governance of migration and diversity in general, including but not limited to the role of the LDE centre itself. Especially in these times of uncertainty and contestation, also surrounding our field of study, this conference provides an occasion to reflect on core themes in the field, methodological developments, impact and engagement of the field with, among others, societal communities and communities of practice, and key (theoretical, conceptual, methodological, practical) challenges ahead.

During the conference, we will also reflect on the development of the LDE centre GMD. What role has the centre played so far, and what role could or should it play in the future? This includes a roundtable with students, alumni, practitioners, community representatives and academics, as well as a special roundtable featuring guest speakers from a number of global partners of the centre on how the centre can globalize its activities further! 

See the full programme below 


 

 

Programme Overview


Registration starts at 9:00

10:00 – 11:30 | Opening Plenary 

Globalising Governance of Migration & Diversity 
 

Speakers:

  • Prof. Adla Raghab (University of Cairo)
  • Prof. Sawsan Abdulrahim (American University of Beirut)
  • Prof. Ahmet İçduygu (MiReKoc, Istanbul)
  • Alex Huang
  • Moderator: Prof. Peter Scholten

Learn about the opening session and the speakers


 

Read full descriptions of the 12 Interdisciplinary Panel sessions

11:45 – 12:45 | Panel Round 1

  • 50 Years of Dutch Migration Research: Reflections on Past, Present and Futures

  • Co-creating Peaceful Migration Dialogues in a Polarised World

  • Organising Otherwise? Rethinking State- and Market Centered Migration Governance Through Refugee- and Migrant-Led Initiatives

  • GMD Leergang


12:45 – 13:45 | Lunch Break

Buffet lunch served at Theatre Walhalla foyer.


13:45 – 14:45 | Panel Round 2

  • The Integration of Recent Refugees in the Netherlands and Its Impact on Public Opinion

  • The Role of Measurement in Local Antidiscrimination Governance

  • Researching the Scapegoat – Writing a PhD about Migration, Diversity, etc. in 2025

  • GMD 10th Anniversary Alumni Roundtable – Looking Back, Moving Forward


15:00 – 16:00 | Panel Round 3

  • The Migration Obsession: Why is the Netherlands So Obsessed with Migration?

  • Re-centering the Role of Diasporas in Times of Crisis: Insights and Practices from the Dutch Context

  • What is the Role of Knowledge in the Social Inclusion of Migrants?

  • GMD Student x Fenix Roundtable


16:15 – 18:00 | Plenary Closing Session

“Ten Years GMD: Past, Present & Futures”

  • 10 years GMD Reflections: with founders Peter Scholten, Marlou Schrover, Reinout Kleinhans and with GMD Alumni representative Amir Ali Abadi 

  • Seed Fund Awards Ceremony

  • The Future of GMD Roundtable: With GMD Advisory Board Chair Imke van Garderen (FNV), GMD Student Board representative, and Luke van der Wouw (GMD Writing Fellow)

  • Remarks by: Prof. Wim van de Doel (LDE Chair) and Prof. Marjolijn Antheunis (ESSB Dean)


18:00 | Evening Celebration

Dinner, Reunion & Anniversary Party at Walhalla

Reconnect with GMD alumni, students, and partners over dinner, drinks, and music — including a live screening and discussion of the Dutch election night, and a cultural performance. Registration required.


22:00 | End of Programme