In a statement issued following a conference under the title “The Arts and Migration(s): Reflections and Responsibilities”, which was held in Valletta/Malta upon invitation of the Arts Council Malta from 27 to 29 October 2025, the European Alliance of Academies expresses its deep concern about the increasing transformation of Europe into a fortress where migrants in their struggle for a safer life risk rejection, hostility, and death.
The European Alliance of Academies, which was founded five years ago to promote and defend artistic freedom and freedom of speech, urges the international community to recognise the rights of people leaving their countries, and to consider migration essential to our common history, vital to the story of humankind.
Millions of people are forced to leave their countries because of economic inequality, war, persecution, flood and drought. There is no migration crisis as we hear too often, but there is a political crisis where more and more countries blame migration for the problems they face. There is a climate crisis and there is a moral crisis as we are living in a world in which welcome and hospitality must be re-introduced: We have to re-find our civility.
Art and culture rely upon the free circulation of people and ideas – restriction to national boundaries makes us narrow-minded and one-sided. Instead of closing our eyes to increasing prejudice and misinformation we must open our windows and doors. Indeed, we must recognise migrants for all they bring to our societies – their life stories, knowledge and culture.
European Alliance of Academies
Malta Statement
Photo Credit: Darren Agius