August 30th 2017

UN draws on MCI expertise again

MCI Professor Belachew Gebrewold has been appointed to the advisory board of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

After Professor Belachew Gebrewold was recently appointed as a representative of Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), and the only Austrian, to advise the steering committee of the UN Global Compact for Migration in New York, he has now received the next invitation: the proven expert on migration will act as an advisor to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

His nomination to the international advisory panel was based not only on his highly respected research projects and publications, but also on his personal background: as a native of Ethiopia whose research activity brought him to Europe more than 20 years ago, Gebrewold is familiar with both worlds, and introduces a European perspective to the consultations.

The high-ranking advisory board includes scientists and decision makers from both Africa and Europe. Together they will identify ways in which the African continent can handle the issues and challenges of migration, and seize the chances arising from it. The first meeting of the group took place at the beginning of August in the ECA Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Migration is one of the most pressing issues of the present. Both on a global level and within the African continent, people’s mobility has increased. Intra-African migration movements dominate with a share of 82 percent; only 12 percent of migrants leave for Europe and six percent for other continents. This means that the African history of migration is far removed from the image created by the media.

Belachew Gebrewold emphasizes the importance of his task: “Here in Europe we have a very specific perception of African migration movements: my plea is for both sides to try and understand each other’s perspectives and sorrows. Africa must take the concerns and fears of Europe seriously. Only if we work together will we be able to develop sustainable measures.”

MCI Rector Andreas Altmann is delighted with Belachew Gebrewold’s appointment: “There is hardly any other university in Austria whose expertise in the field of migration is currently in such high demand as that of MCI. I would like to congratulate Professor Gebrewold and the entire team of the Department of Social Work, whose work has now been honored once again.”

Further information:
Belachew Gebrewold’s CV
Bachelor program in Social Work
Master program in Social Work, Social Policy & Management



Press contact
Mag.(FH) Ulrike Fuchs
+43 512 2070-1527
ulrike.fuchs@mci.edu