The Becoming of Sanctuary: The (un)making of sanctuary and solidarity for “unauthorised” migrant people in contemporary times

Date: 13 November 2025
Time: 10:00- 13:00 CET
Location: Online on Teams
Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/medNYqD6Ja

Across cities, a diverse array of actors (including municipalities, NGOs, and social collectives) work to protect people who have migrated and ensure their access to resources regardless of their official migratory status. Sanctuary has long been a promise of safety and solidarity for migrants, yet its practice and definition are being rewritten in the midst of hostile political contexts. The UNIC CityLab on Sanctuary Cities brings together researchers, activists, and professionals to explore how policy changes, grassroots movements, and localized action are rewriting sanctuary across Europe. Through three roundtables, we will examine political challenges, civil society responses, and the role of localities in shaping new forms of refuge. This lab opens a space for dialogue on how sanctuary is being (un)made and reimagined in contemporary times.

Key Takeaways 

This citylab consists of a keynote address followed by three roundtable discussions. Each roundtable will begin with presentations by experts on the topic of sanctuary cities and ample time for discussion with the audience. Moderators will also pose targeted questions on the obstacles cities face in sanctuary practices and potential ways forward in their various contexts.

Keynote Presentation

Ismail Oubad - University Of Liège

Roundtable 1: Political contexts and shifting sanctuary practices

This panel examines political contexts and shifting European migration policies that have reshaped sanctuary practices, both in concrete terms as well as the overall atmosphere and attitudes towards sanctuary and (un)welcoming.

Target Audience: Researchers, municipal actors. service providers, students

Presenters: 

Maja Sager - Lund University

Vanna Nordling - Malmö University

Emma Soderman - Lund University
Gertrude Cotter - University College Cork

Roundtable 2: Solidarity networks and civil society responses

This panel will discuss various grassroots and institutional sanctuary practices that support migrants and the challenges they face in their work.

Target Audience: Researchers, municipal actors. service providers, students

Presenters: 

Margrit Fauser - Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Angela Flynn - University College Cork

Ruth Hally - University College Cork and partner from NSAC

Roundtable 3: The role of localities in shaping sanctuary

This panel will discuss initiatives by local authorities and how they create (or attempt to create) sanctuary through formal and informal mechanisms.

Target Audience: Researchers, municipal actors, service providers, students

Presenters: 

Teo Giljević - University of Zagreb

Goranka Lalić Novak - University of Zagreb
Ekain Larrinaga Muguruza-Immigration Technician - Department of Human Rights, Coexistence, Cooperation and Interculturality - Bilbao City Council

Gregor Stangherlin - Director - Citizen Participation, City of Liège