States and Migration: The Human Movement Podcast

Emmanuel Comte, PhD
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  • Social Sciences

This podcast draws on new research to unpack the forces shaping migration flows and the political conflicts surrounding them—from policies and refugee crises to workforce dynamics and integration. Dr. Comte hosts world-class thinkers, policymakers, and innovators to tackle the big questions of our time: Does mobility drive prosperity or conflicts? How do states manage human movement? What’s next for a world on the move? Dr. Emmanuel Comte is a historian of human movement who has lived and worked as a researcher in nine countries and global metropoles from San Francisco to Cyprus.

  1. 09/17/2025

    #31 Italian immigration policy explained: Elena Bonetti on migrant women, care work, and family

    Italian immigration policy shapes the lives of migrant women working in care and domestic sectors. In this episode, Elena Bonetti, former Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family, discusses family reunification, regularisation of migrants, and the challenges facing immigrant families in Italy. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-31/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/roPKergPRJQ Elena Bonetti breaks down immigration policy in Italy—where migrant women fill vital domestic and eldercare roles but remain trapped in irregular work and legal limbo. Drawing on her experience under the Conte II and Draghi governments, Bonetti, who is currently a leading figure in the Renew Europe group in Parliament, reveals why Italy’s Decreto Flussi is failing, how the Bossi-Fini Law still shapes migrant precarity, and what it would take to shift toward a more effective immigration policy. We discuss care work, demographic trends, the informal economy, and regularization programs. This interview was arranged by Lisa Sottanelli and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction04:25 Early Encounters with Immigration08:18 Labour vs. Family Migration Policy23:28 The Situation of Immigrant Families32:17 Social Benefits and Integration Efforts36:42 Migrant Women and Irregular Domestic Work43:12 Why Regularization Fails52:35 Conclusion

    53 min

  2. 09/13/2025

    #30 Cyprus migrant workers in agriculture: The Pancyprian Farmers Union speaks out – Chr. Papapetrou

    Cyprus migrant workers in agriculture sustain the island's farming sector amid chronic labour shortages. Christos Papapetrou, leader of the Pancyprian Farmers Union, shares insights on informal labour, work permits, and the future of rural Cyprus. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-30/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nr56bhbKWIU In this conversation, Emmanuel Comte speaks with Christos Papapetrou about how irregular migration, EU border controls, and local labor shortages intersect in the fields and villages of the island. From smuggling routes across the buffer zone to migrants attracted by welfare benefits, the episode exposes how Cyprus’ agriculture increasingly depends on migrant labor. A vital listen on how immigration is reshaping the rural Mediterranean. This interview was arranged and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction02:28 Evolution of Migrant Labour in Cyprus07:06 The Role of Informal Networks10:52 Why Farmers Hire Irregular Migrants18:12 National Origins and Breakdown of Recruitment23:16 Bureaucracy vs Legislative Blockages28:22 Irregular Migrants in Rural Communities34:34 Routes, Entry points & Processing Sectors36:23 Looking Ahead - The Future of Agriculture and Migration

    38 min

  3. 09/09/2025

    #29 Italy's migration diplomacy: inside Italian strategy on Tunisia, Libya, and Europe's southern border

    Italy's migration diplomacy plays a crucial role in managing Mediterranean migration flows. Maurizio Canfora provides an inside look at Italian foreign policy, cooperation with Tunisia and Libya, and EU border management strategies. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-29/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i-gC1VmEHnk In this interview, Emmanuel Comte speaks with Maurizio Canfora, Italy’s Vice Minister Plenipotentiary and Director General for European Integration. Canfora offers an insider’s look at how Italy influences the EU Migration Pact, manages partnerships with Tunisia and Libya, and navigates border diplomacy amid rising geopolitical tension. Listeners will gain insight into Italy’s complex balancing act: safeguarding the Schengen zone, supplying its labor market, and curbing irregular migration through strategic cooperation. We explore Italy’s evolving stance on Frontex, the legal limits of maritime border control, and the country’s high-stakes engagement with France, Germany, and the European Commission. For anyone following Mediterranean migration, EU external relations, or the future of free movement in Europe, this episode is essential listening. This interview was arranged by Lisa Sottanelli and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction02:39 A Diplomat’s Journey into Migration08:36 Labor Markets & Legal Pathways14:08 Border Management & Frontex21:20 Strategic Partnerships with North African Countries32:45 EU Responsibility & the Schengen Framework40:55 Libya & Tunisia – Diplomacy in Practice45:00 Internal EU Consensus & Migration Policy53:42 Social Attitudes & Migration Perceptions1:00:31 Future Priorities & Budget Negotiations

    1h 2m

  4. 09/04/2025

    #28 Balkan route migration explained: 30 years of lessons from IOM's Donatella Bradic

    Balkan route migration has shaped European asylum policy for decades. Donatella Bradic draws on thirty years with the International Organization for Migration to explain smuggling networks, EU border control, and the Western Balkans transit corridor. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-28/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qn0lnl3jf6o In this interview, Emmanuel Comte speaks with Donatella Bradić, Senior Program Coordinator at IOM, who reflects on three decades managing migration in the Western Balkans. From the Yugoslav wars to digital smuggling networks and EU border reforms, this episode explores the evolution of the route, the role of the IOM, and the future of EU migration governance. Topics include regional diplomacy, unaccompanied minors, biometric registration, externalization of asylum, and the rise of labor migration in the Balkans. This interview was arranged by Lisa Sottanelli and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction02:49 From Conflict to Career - Personal Journey04:30 Evolving Migration Practices07:58 Anatomy of the Balkan route23:15 The Digital Smuggler’s toolkit28:12 The Role and Evolution of IOM43:43 Regional Migration Dynamics and Reception Capacities59:52 EU Accession and Institutional Reform01:02:57 Conclusion

    1h 4m

  5. 07/26/2025

    #27 When 900,000 refugees arrived: Georgios Kaminis on leading Athens through the 2015 crisis

    Athens’ migration policy transformed the Greek capital during the refugee crisis. Former Mayor Giorgos Kaminis shares how cities manage migration, integrate refugees, and navigate tensions between local and national governance. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-27/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/caImWW1kTiA In this interview, Emmanuel Comte speaks with Georgios Kaminis, Athens' mayor during the peak of the 2015 refugee crisis, as he recounts the pressure on housing, public services, and social cohesion. Kaminis shares how he managed an urban humanitarian emergency, from launching Greece’s first refugee camp to coordinating with over 70 NGOs. This episode offers unique insight into European asylum and migration policy, urban migration governance, and leading a city in a crisis. This interview was arranged by Xenia Saratsioti and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction03:30 The 2015 Crisis Hits Athens05:58 Emergency Responses and Housing Solutions19:34 Integration Challenges and Informal Labor23:12 Refugee Families vs. Individual Migrants30:07 Security Concerns and Managing Tensions32:39 Budget, Legacy, and Institutional Innovation36:31 The Integration Gap and Political Reflections

    42 min

  6. 07/21/2025

    #26 Greek agriculture migrant labour: Christos Giannakakis on immigrant workers and farming's future

    Greek agriculture migrant labour keeps the country's farms running despite legal grey zones. Christos Giannakakis discusses immigrant workers, agricultural cooperatives, and the structural dependence on seasonal and undocumented labour. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-26/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mKCVZFNdfak In this interview, Emmanuel Comte sits down with Christos Giannakakis, Vice-President of the New Hellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS), to discuss the untold story of who keeps Greek agriculture alive. With over 90% of fruit and vegetable harvesting now dependent on foreign labor, this conversation dives into the pressing reality of migrant workers—many undocumented—who underpin the country’s food system. As Greek farmers grapple with labor shortages, Emmanuel and Christos explore how slow bureaucracies, restrictive immigration policies, and rising wages are reshaping the agricultural landscape. From the decline of Albanian labor to the unrealized promise of bilateral deals with Egypt, this episode reveals why Greece—and much of Europe—can no longer ignore the role of immigrant farmworkers. This is essential listening for anyone interested in food security, labor migration, rural economies, and the future of European agriculture. This interview was arranged by Xenia Saratsioti and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction02:35 A History of Labor – From Local to Foreign Hands05:53 Present Realities — Who Harvests Greece’s Food?09:36 Working in the Shadows – Irregular Employment13:10 Bureaucracy vs. Reality — Legal Pathways Blocked19:20 Egypt as a Missed Opportunity21:20 Wage Dynamics and Market Forces26:25 Innovating to Survive – Mechanization in Agriculture29:10 Housing the Workforce – Living Conditions for Migrants32:02 Human Dignity and Labor Migration

    33 min

  7. 07/17/2025

    #25 IOM Greece: migration governance, refugee returns, and asylum support explained

    IOM Greece plays a central role in migration governance and refugee assistance. This episode explores the International Organization for Migration's operations, voluntary return programmes, and coordination with Greek authorities. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-25/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IeYQ_OZucn8 In this episode, Emmanuel Comte interviews Daniel Esdras—former IOM Chief in Greece and interim Migration Minister—on the dramatic shifts in migration policy, crisis management, and human smuggling. Drawing on over three decades of frontline experience, Esdras discusses the Albanian labor influx, the 2015 refugee crisis, Greece’s economic dependencies on undocumented labor, and the moral complexities of human trafficking. This episode delivers rare insights into EU-Turkey migration policy, IOM operations, and the systemic gaps in global migration governance. Essential listening for anyone exploring European border politics, humanitarian crises, or migration reform. This interview was arranged by Xenia Saratsioti and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403. 00:00 Introduction02:34 Joining IOM: Personal Motivations and Early Career09:59 Migration Transitions in Southeastern Europe12:16 From Transit to Destination: Greece After 200013:48 The 2015–2016 Migration Crisis19:28 The EU-Turkey Statement and Policy Shifts21:06 IOM’s Role in Migration Management, Voluntary Return, and Reintegration Programs24:58 Combating Human Trafficking30:44 Undocumented Labor and Policy Proposals37:58 Legal Pathways and Employer Incentives40:48 Ministerial Experience During the 2023 Interim Government44:20 The Pylos Shipwreck and Criminal Smuggling46:44 Global Migration Patterns50:17 Final Reflections on Migration Governance

    52 min

  8. 07/13/2025

    #24 AI hiring and global mobility: Casey Marquette on how Scout is changing cross-border recruitment

    AI hiring platforms are transforming how companies recruit across borders. Casey Marquette, founder of Scout, explains how artificial intelligence screens candidates 160 times faster than humans, operates in 32 languages, and connects employers with global talent they would never have found through traditional recruitment. Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-24/. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FQHzJVHrRZk In this episode of States and Migration: The Human Movement Podcast, Emmanuel Comte speaks with Casey Marquette, founder of Scout, a groundbreaking AI hiring platform. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is upending traditional hiring systems, expanding access to global talent, and reshaping patterns of migration. From collapsing geographic barriers to bypassing human bias and inefficiency, this episode reveals how AI is driving a new age of labor mobility. The conversation delves into why most job applicants are ghosted—and how AI fixes that; how Scout makes recruiters 160x faster; why AI could become a major driver of international mobility; and whether AI can prevent bias—while facilitating trust. 00:00 Introducing the AI Shift in Hiring03:29 How Scout Works04:06 From Frustration to Innovation06:40 Efficiency, Speed, and Fairness09:17 Reducing Human Bias and Widening the Net15:22 Use Beyond Corporate Hiring17:12 Enabling Cross-Border Hiring19:07 Platform Mechanics and Market Position22:37 Hiring Across the Job Spectrum23:29 Assessing the Human Element27:23 Trust and Social Connectivity33:02 Global Disruption and Future Mobility35:41 Credential Verification and Bureaucracy40:27 Rethinking Immigration Invitations42:35 Conclusion and Future Outlook

    44 min
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About

This podcast draws on new research to unpack the forces shaping migration flows and the political conflicts surrounding them—from policies and refugee crises to workforce dynamics and integration. Dr. Comte hosts world-class thinkers, policymakers, and innovators to tackle the big questions of our time: Does mobility drive prosperity or conflicts? How do states manage human movement? What’s next for a world on the move? Dr. Emmanuel Comte is a historian of human movement who has lived and worked as a researcher in nine countries and global metropoles from San Francisco to Cyprus.

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