Students of the Police Academy in Bratislava assess their role cards as part of the educational activity Destination Europe © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2025.
Building on the long-standing cooperation between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava, migration lectures and interactive Destination Europe workshops were held in September and October 2025 for more than 140 students of the Academy. The activities were prepared and facilitated by representatives of IOM, which serves as the coordinator of the European Migration Network (EMN) in Slovakia.
Migration lectures
During the initial lectures, students learned about the fundamental concepts of migration, its causes, and current trends in Slovakia, the European Union, and worldwide. These lectures also focused on migration policies and their impact on society, as well as on explaining common myths and stereotypes surrounding migration.
Interactive Destination Europe workshops
The migration lectures were followed by Destination Europe workshops. This interactive EMN educational activity offers a unique opportunity to understand the complexity of migration policy-making through role play.
In a simulated environment, students took on the roles of ministers, European Commissioners, or representatives of municipalities and civil society. They negotiated, debated, sought compromises, and observed the consequences of their decisions on different groups of migrants as well as on society as a whole. According to student feedback, the activity helped them realize how many different aspects must be considered when making decisions about migration and integration policies.
The workshop supports the development of students’ skills such as communication, cooperation, negotiation, strategic decision-making, and empathy. It also helps them gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of migration processes and the need for coordination among different actors.
Students of the Police Academy in Bratislava learn about migration and explore decision-making processes using the Destination Europe learning tool © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2025.
If you are based in the Slovak Republic and are interested in organising a similar workshop and/or lecture on migration topics, please contact EMN Slovakia at: ncpslovakia@iom.int