Ahmad Wali Ahmad Yar is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, he serves as the president of the Umbrella Refugee Committee in Belgium and is the secretary-general of the Network of Afghan Diaspora Organisations in Europe (NADOE).
Since March 2024, he has been part of the Core Team for EPIM’s systems mapping process aimed at analysing the migration governance systems in Europe and identifying leverage directions to inform its cluster strategy.
Michela Bramardi spoke with Wali about the value of the systems mapping process, the insights it uncovered, and how the map can serve as a powerful tool to drive transformative change in migration governance across Europe.
Systems map on the Migration Governance in Europe
What were the most surprising or unexpected connections or insights that emerged from the systems mapping process?
Throughout my career as an academic and a member of civil society, I have consistently engaged with the concepts of migration governance, analysing policies, frameworks, and their impacts. However, the systems mapping process introduced a new layer of complexity and curiosity. One of the most striking aspects was the need to present and examine issues from a variety of perspectives, often simultaneously. This multiplicity of viewpoints was both intellectually stimulating and, at times, quite challenging, as it required stepping outside familiar analytical frameworks.
Another unexpected insight emerged in relation to my initial outlook on tackling migration-related challenges. Before engaging in the systems mapping process, I held a relatively pessimistic view of the prospects for achieving consensus and implementing effective solutions, particularly within the European context, where migration governance often seems gridlocked by competing national interests and political rhetoric. However, as the process unfolded, I began to see the potential for meaningful progress when diverse expertise, experiences, and innovative thinking are brought together in a structured way.
The systems mapping process revealed not only the interconnectedness of various actors and factors but also highlighted entry points where collaborative efforts could yield tangible improvements. It demonstrated that while the issues are deeply entrenched and multifaceted, they are not insurmountable.
In what ways do you think the systems map can serve as a practical tool for different actors in the migration governance ecosystem?
The systems map has the potential to be a powerful and versatile tool for stakeholders across the migration governance ecosystem. Policymakers and government officials can use it to design evidence-based and forward-looking policies by identifying systemic bottlenecks, understanding past successes and failures, and anticipating future trends. For civil society organisations, the map can help pinpoint priority areas and allocate resources more effectively, addressing underlying causes rather than superficial symptoms.
Additionally, the map fosters cross-sector collaboration by illustrating the interdependencies among various actors, such as governments, NGOs, international organisations, and local authorities. This shared understanding can reduce duplication of efforts and enhance synergies. Researchers and academics may find it valuable as an analytical framework to identify gaps in knowledge, explore emerging trends, and assess the broader impacts of policies or events. Meanwhile, NGOs and advocacy groups can use it as a strategic planning tool to position themselves within the ecosystem, align objectives with systemic goals, and develop targeted campaigns.
Beyond its immediate applications, the map can also serve as an educational resource, helping grasp the complexity of the migration governance system. Its effectiveness depends on the quality of data, inclusivity of perspectives, and adaptability to changing contexts.
How did your initial assumptions about migration governance shift as you engaged deeper with the complexities of the system?
My initial assumption was largely shaped by a belief in the necessity of a top-down approach to bring about systemic change in migration governance, an approach where high-level policy reforms and institutional frameworks drive transformation. However, engaging with the systems mapping process has shown me that bottom-up approaches also play a pivotal role in enacting change. Incremental yet impactful transformations can occur when organisations, institutions, and stakeholders are provided with practical guidelines, concrete examples, and evidence-based strategies for action. This realisation has made me more confident in the potential of grassroots and community-level initiatives to influence broader policy landscapes.
Another critical shift in my perspective relates to the role of people with a migratory background in governance processes. I have long believed that meaningful engagement and inclusion of people with a migratory background in decision-making is paramount. This assumption was not only validated but significantly reinforced through the mapping process. It became clear that supporting platforms for migrants’ participation are not supplementary measures; they are essential components of effective migration governance.
How do you see this experience influencing your future work in migration governance or other areas?
Prior to this experience, I had worked extensively on migration and governance from various theoretical and practical angles, but I had never engaged directly in mapping migration systems. I used to view it as an almost impossibly complex task, a web of factors and actors too intricate to untangle. However, through this process, I realised that while migration systems are indeed highly complex, they are not incomprehensible. With the right tools, methodologies, and collaborative efforts, it is possible to create structured representations that reveal connections, gaps, and leverage points within these systems.
This experience has equipped me with valuable skills in systems thinking and mapping methodologies, tools that I plan to integrate into my future academic research, policy advisory roles, and civil society initiatives. In academic settings, systems mapping can serve as an analytical framework to better understand migration dynamics and evaluate policy impacts. In civil society, it can guide advocacy efforts, resource allocation, and program design to ensure more targeted and effective interventions. Ultimately, this process has deepened my confidence in the value of visualising and mapping complex systems as a means of identifying actionable solutions and driving change.
