The International Organization for Migration (IOM), as the coordinator of the European Migration Network (EMN) in Slovakia, organised the Destination Europe workshop for students of Stredná odborná škola agrotechnická J. A. Gagarina in Bernolákovo at the end of the school year . A total of 45 students had the chance to experience negotiations and decision-making about migration policy through this interactive role-play activity.
Before the role-play activity started, students took part in an interactive introduction that covered migration in Slovakia and around the world. This gave them a clearer picture of why people migrate, what challenges they face, and how migration policies can shape these processes.nDuring the Destination Europe activity, students took on the roles of ministers, EU Commissioners, NGO representatives, local government officials, or local business owners. They discussed different situations, considered various options, and tried to find common ground. Along the way, they often had to take into account conflicting views and different priorities to reach an agreement. Feedback showed that many students were surprised at how difficult it was to make a final decision when all arguments were on the table. What seemed like an obvious solution at first often turned out to be more complicated when they considered the details and listened to their peers’ viewpoints.nThe workshop helped students gain a better understanding of how migration policy decisions can affect individuals and communities, and at the same time strengthened their communication, negotiation and critical thinking skills. About Destination Europe n Destination Europe is an educational and training tool based on role-playing for groups of 4 to 6 participants. Over the course of 90 minutes, participants experience a comprehensive decision-making process on migration policies involving various stakeholders with sometimes conflicting interests. The tool was developed by the European Migration Network (EMN) and is aimed at youth and adults aged 16 and older. n If you would like more information about this educational tool or are interested in organizing a similar workshop, please contact EMN Slovakia at ncpslovakia@iom.int . Workshop Destination Europe. Foto © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2025.