Mobilities in the European ‘fearless city’, Amsterdam - Main contents

The ACES annual conference brings together academics and practitioners around the theme of European cities and migration. Savannah Koolen of ‘Here to Support’ and Barbara Oomen of the ‘Cities of Refuge' project will share their perspectives, practices and contributions on the growing role of cities in the reception of migrants and refugees, and how this transforms urban politics.

‘Sanctuary’ cities and ‘fearless’ cities, such as Amsterdam, challenge the authority of the nation-state in the field of migration and citizenship. The policy experiments following this new status raises a series of questions in terms of agency versus dependence. Do Amsterdam and similar cities open up space for migrants’ empowerment and agency? And is it possible that they also re-instate dependencies, inequalities and marginalization when policy and practices turn out to be insufficient? The event will address these questions in relation to urban projects involving both Dutch and other European cities.

About the speakers

Barbara Oomen is Professor of Sociology of Human Rights at Utrecht University/University College Roosevelt and project leader of Cities of Refuge.

Savannah Koolen is one of the founders of the Here to Support organisation in Amsterdam, which initiated the Europe-wide City Rights United.

Luiza Bialasiewicz (moderator) is Professor of European Governance and Co-Director of ACES.