Nordic countries are similar when it comes to migratory trends. However, when the ‘multicultural question’ erupted in the 1970s, they opted for different policies. In the early 2000s, some scholars analysed a retreat from multiculturalism policies and a civic integrationist turn. Yet, our knowledge of the processes of convergence or divergence per se of these policies is still limited. Using the comparative method, this article shows that, during that period of time, the five Nordic countries were divided into two camps, with little mixing in terms of policy content: multiculturalist (Sweden and Norway) and assimilationist (Denmark and Iceland). Finland shifted its policy from assimilation to multiculturalism in the 1990s, when it became a country of immigration. It adopted the same range of multicultural policies as Sweden and Norway; Sweden was the leader on this and Denmark was the least multiculturalist. Negative feedback was the most recurrent mechanism of policy reproduction.

In 2015, as the "refugee crisis" unfolded, the European Union negotiated deals respectively with Turkey and many African countries to stem the influx of asylum seekers. But little comparatively has been said about its African deal, the Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP) and its impact. Using migration policy theories, this article shows that the African deal, embodied in the concept of "shared responsibility," amounts to a special kind of interest, complex interdependence. Specifically, while parties held onto their interests (territorial integrity for the Europeans and economic development for the Africans), there was a new sense, especially on the part of the Europeans, that both parties needed each other's help (cooperation) to advance these interests. As a result, concrete measures such as the EU Emergency Trust Fund were formulated. Looking at their "effects," these measures have been positive in most policy domains.

What are the stakes and modalities of a research-based development focused on strengthening African scientific communities?

The emergence of global issues that concern both the ‘Global South’ and the ‘Global North’ invites us to go beyond the idea of development as simply catching-up technically to improve economic growth. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development bear witness to this. In this context, science’s role and expectations are changing significantly. More than ever, the scientific communities are being called upon to do more than just contribute to immediate technical solutions; they are invited, and sometimes invite themselves, to act in conjunction with development actors to shed light on the complex processes underway, to formulate and address the issues that will arise in the future, to experiment with new policy paths as well as to identify possible blockages. The ambition of a research-based development relies on the conviction that the transfer of knowledge from the best laboratories in the world is insufficient and that the society itself must participate in knowledge production in order to imagine and build its future. Such a position calls for the strengthening of the capacities of scientific institutions in all countries, so that they are fully involved in international initiatives and able to better contribute to the challenges that their countries are facing.

Montpellier’s scientific communities, grouped together in the ‘Montpellier University of Excellence’ initiative around the three challenges ‘Feed – Protect – Care’, place special emphasis on the partnership with Africa, based on a long tradition of hospitality, exchanges and cooperation. This virtual roundtable will highlight some of these partnerships and focus on the challenges of strengthening African scientific communities for the joint construction of tomorrow’s intelligence and world. Several Q&A sessions with the webinar participants will be organised.