Could you share a bit more on your background, in particular your past links with our EMA Global Campus Europe programme, and your current role?
Thanks for this possibility to share some thoughts and thanks for the lovely days on Lido. Some two decades ago, I was for a few years the Swedish member of the EMA board. At least at that time, there was a lead university from each country and I was then at Lund University and took part in that capacity. My engagement also included occasional teaching, serving on panels for master thesis defence and taking part in the magnificent graduation ceremony wearing the Swedish academic insignia – a black top hat!
I have also kept in touch with the developments of the Global Campus through always inspiring exchanges with Manfred Nowak.
Since then, I have worked for the European Union, first at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in Vienna, with legal and policy work, mainly on criminal justice, sustainability and monitoring and complaints mechanisms. And since soon 5 years, I am heading the independent Fundamental Rights Office at the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). This work brings together a fascinating set of legal and policy areas, including migration, security, law of the sea, and of course border management and coast guard. It is also interesting works in the cross-roads between the EU and national authorities, and, one could say, in the crosshairs of a lot of attention.
What is the importance of human rights education institutions like the Global Campus to help to find solutions to the current challenges in the international agenda and in particular migration issues?
Coming from human rights law education as a recipient and as a provider in terms of teaching and research, such education is for me key. However, I have understood even more in the last years how important it is that the standards are embedded in operating procedures and that these, in turn, are feasible to comply with, and ideally that there are strong incentives for officers in the field to follow these procedures. Equally, human rights law needs to permeate all areas of governance, so it is important that human rights education is inter-disciplinary and that students are encouraged – as the Global Campus does – to apply a human rights framework to all types of areas, be it financial budgeting, sustainability or technological developments.
Were the meetings at our headquarters, from 13 to 15 October, helpful? Could you tell us something about the Seminar on “Ensuring fundamental rights compliant screening in the context of the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact” organized by Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights?
The Consultative Forum of Frontex is a body that helps the Agency with feedback and criticism from NGOs, EU and international organisations. In an area such as border management with many sensitive issues, it is important to ensure accountability and transparency and the Forum boosts this dimension. To be able to have the meeting in the serene and secluded confines of the Monastery of San Nicolò, added quality to our discussions between the Forum and the Agency. The seminar on fundamental rights compliant screening was very timely and useful. The EU Member States are due to apply the EU’s Screening rules from June next year, at which time procedures and monitoring need to be in place. The Consultative Forum was able to bring together a number of key actors to explore and stress what needs to happen in the months to come for this important instrument to be brought to life.
Could you give a message to the students, alumni, professors, staff and experts of the Global Campus of Human Rights?
Happily! To me, the Global Campus, with its global coverage, is an inspiring institution. When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted almost 80 years ago, education in itself was formulated (in Article 26) as not only an obligation and a right, but also that it should “promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, […] for the maintenance of peace.” So, ensuring a global campus for human rights education is delivering also on something much needed these days, peace.
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