American Behavioral Scientist: Deterring Migration in Times of Crises: The Ethics of Behavioral Change in Migration Information Campaigns
02.07.23: The European migration "crisis" has led to new policies and funding mechanisms. These initiatives share a dual and sometimes contradictory goal: to support migrant protection while also reinforcing migration management or control.
In this crisis context, they have granted flexibility to various actors with different levels of responsibilities and transparency when assisting migrants. Unfortunately, this approach has sometimes prioritised irregular migration control over respecting human rights, resulting in questionable outcomes.
In a recent academic article published by American Behavioral Scientist, ‘Deterring Migration in Times of Crises: The Ethics of Behavioral Change in Migration Information Campaigns’ by Samuel Hall’s team and co-founder, Nassim Majidi, we analysed a specific program carried out in Ethiopia and Afghanistan between 2016 and 2019, which focused on changing the behaviour of potential migrants through an information campaign.
The case study reveals that certain practices in migration information campaigns diverged from established standards in social and behavioural communication campaigns.
This article advocates for applying UNICEF's standards on strategic behavioural change, highlighting good practices and emphasising their relevance to the field of migration. The goal is to establish a constructive approach for planning information campaigns that empowers individuals and communities, addresses and lower structural barriers hindering the adoption of positive practices, and supports local initiatives aimed at building better societies.
The article also serves as a reminder to a broader audience that maintaining these standards is crucial in all contexts, particularly in challenging situations like Afghanistan and Ethiopia. In such contexts of forced migration, where people rely on migration as a means of protection, ethical challenges arise when attempting to control or manage migration.