HIDDEN’s Working Group 1 met in Southern Türkiye during May 22nd and 23rd, 2025, establishing its furthest meeting point from the heart of Europe.
Türkiye has a rich migration dynamic as a host, transit and sending country. It lies adjacent to the turbulent Middle East, maintains a candidacy status with the European Union, and makes a tempting destination or transit zone for all kinds of migrants, including those who are irregularized.
The meeting was hosted by Tarsus University, in the city of Tarsus, within the district of Mersin, one of the top areas preferred by Syrian immigrants under temporary protection. Hence, the effects of rapid, mass immigration are quite keenly felt.
The event allowed for a frank and evidence-based exchange of ideas and experiences related to migration and documentation. Papers were presented and debated in seminar format; and invited experts provided information about Türkiye’s immigration regime and solidarity initiatives by NGOs. Both HIDDEN members and staff and students from Tarsus University had the opportunity to present and discuss topical issues.
The event was formally opened by Tarsus University Rector, Prof. Ali Özen, Vice-Rectors Prof. Osman Murat Özkendir and Prof. Tuğba Yolcu, as well as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Prof. Ali Deran, and HIDDEN’s WG 1 co-lead, Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino. The programme was ably put together and coordinated by Prof. Tuğba Aydın Halisoğlu, co-lead of HIDDEN’s WG 1.
The HIDDEN members at the event agreed to start working collaboratively on a joint paper examining the perceived hierarchy of immigrant nationalities in Türkiye, as well as to seek additional research funding from the Turkish Research Council.
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