Return Migration As a Pathway to Social Justice: Insights from the MENA Region

The MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) has been a significant source of migratory flows, primarily toward Europe and other parts of the world. However, there is a growing trend of "return migration," where migrants choose to go back to their home countries. The WePropose project, funded under the PRIN PNRR with Next Generation EU resources, investigates the transformative potential of these return migrations in promoting social justice and economic inclusion in the MENA region. The research explores how returning migrants, often equipped with skills, financial resources, and transnational networks, can help address structural gaps and reduce social inequalities.

Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, WePropose demonstrates that return migrations are not merely a demographic phenomenon but an opportunity to strengthen institutional capacities and stimulate more equitable and sustainable development. The project highlights how these migratory dynamics can contribute to the creation of economic opportunities, especially through the entrepreneurship of returnees, and facilitate the transfer of knowledge acquired abroad. However, the research also points to the need for more inclusive national and regional policies to facilitate the reintegration of migrants and maximize their contributions to society.

In this context, WePropose also reflects on the policies of assisted voluntary returns, drawing on empirical evidence collected through fieldwork conducted with key experts from INGOs and public institutions. In line with the theme of the session "Migration Policies and Social (In)Justice," the research underscores the importance of a collaborative approach involving non-governmental actors and institutions to foster social inclusion and mitigate inequalities. Current migration policies often overlook the potential of returning migrants. WePropose calls for a reevaluation of these policies, promoting a more just and equitable approach that harnesses the contribution of returnees in building more inclusive and resilient societies.