Alberto-Horst Neidhardt
Interim Head of European Migration and Diversity programme and Senior Policy Analyst
Alberto Horst Neidhardt is a Senior Policy Analyst and interim Head of the European Diversity and Migration programme. He works on asylum, migration, and integration matters, with an interest in the politics of migration and specific expertise in EU law and jurisprudence.
Prior to joining the EPC, he was a PhD candidate in law at the European University Institute, a Teaching Assistant at the School of Oriental and African Studies and a Research Assistant at Queen Mary, University of London. He also gained experience in the law and the politics of mobility working in the Free Movement Unit of the Directorate General ‘Justice and Consumers’ of the European Commission. Alberto is also a part-time Visiting Professor at University of Antwerp, where he lectures on Comparative Law and on Legal Pluralism.
Alberto holds a PhD and an LLM in European and Comparative Laws from the EUI (2018; 2013) and a Master’s degree in International and Comparative Law from SOAS (2011). He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Languages, Culture and Institutions of Eurasia and of the Mediterranean from Ca’ Foscari, University of Venice (2009).
PROGRAMME
European Migration and Diversity
PROJECTs
Tampere 20, Analysis of Migration Policy Developments for the EPIM
Areas of expertise
Common European Asylum System, refugee law, migrants' integration, multiculturalism, politics of migration, EU citizens rights, free movement
Current positions
Visiting Professor, University of Antwerp
Policy Analyst
Education
PhD in Law, European University Institute
LLM in Comparative, European and International Laws, European University Institute, Florence
MA in International Comparative Legal Studies (with Distinction), School of Oriental and African Studies
Languages
Italian, English, French (Intermediate), Spanish (Intermediate), Hindi (basic)
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Migration / QUOTE Europe's fragile shield Alberto‑Horst Neidhardt was quoted in an article titled ‘Europe's fragile shield' published by Weekendavisen -a Danish weekly newspaper. Find the article
here 12 March 2020 - ,
Migration / POLICY DIALOGUE European Union-Mexico Think Tanks Dialogue Initiative Alberto Neidhardt took part in the European Union-Mexico Think Tanks Dialogue Initiative organised by the EU Delegation in Mexico. Speakers analysed migration trends and the human rights implications of current migration and asylum policies. The intervention of Alberto focused on the risks which follow from restrictive policies whose success is measured exclusively in terms of (reduced) numbers of irregular arrivals. He argued that policies are needed to facilitate safe, regular, and orderly migration. In light of this, he critically assessed the state of play in the cooperation between the EU and third countries and, more specifically, the conditionality approach in accessing EU funds. He proposed that the upcoming EU budget is used to strengthen asylum systems in border areas in full respect of the right to access international protection, and emphasised that corresponding suspension clauses should be added to international agreements with third countries.
20 January 2020 - Mexico ,
EU Delegation in Mexico
Migration / PANEL DISCUSSION The European experience to address the migration flows challenges Alberto Neidhardt was invited by the Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores (Commission of Foreign Affairs) of the Mexican Congress to discuss the European experience in migration and asylum. Repressive measures aiming at reducing the numbers of arrivals will not work in a new decade which will be characterised by large population movements, he argued. In light of this, Alberto presented some of the core critical elements in the recent European experience in managing migration flows, drawing on the added value, and shortcomings, of the Common European Asylum System. He emphasised that it is essential to strengthen national systems in European borderlands in order to deal effectively with large population movements, instead of using resources for preventing mobility altogether. Restraining migration flows thanks to close partnerships with countries of origins and transit may only lead to worsening humanitarian conditions in border areas. In his discussion with congresswomen and men, Alberto pointed out that closer cooperation among states remains essential, but that restricting migration should not be the overriding concern. The intervention and discussion can be watched
here 19 January 2020 - , Mexico
Chamber of Deputies of Mexico
Media mentions