The Cost of Fleeing Conflict and How We Can Improve Standards and Regulations for Crossing Borders

The issue of immigration has been a topic of heightened conversation here in the United States and also around the world. Over the last few years there have been thousands of people migrating from parts of Africa or from war-torn Syria, among other countries, to various parts of Europe. Michael Doyle, Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and Visiting Scholar at University of Pennsylvania’s Perry World House, says the average time a refugee is in exile is about 18 years. Michael joins host Dan Loney on Knowledge at Wharton to discuss his recent workshop, “Model International Mobility Declaration”, which focused on ways to address and improve the standards and regulations governing those moving between borders, whether as visitors, workers, entrepreneurs, refugees, victims of trafficking, et cetera, and fill in key gaps in international law. Professor Doyle is a former Secretary-General and Special Adviser to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.