Ukraine's successful socio-economic, demographic and infrastructural recovery is only possible if millions of Ukrainian refugees return home.

The critical importance of human capital re-emigration for the future recovery of Ukraine is recognised not only in political and academic circles in our country, but also abroad. That is why our colleagues from the EU are sincerely seeking to understand and promote our vision of this issue.

"Last week, I was once again invited to give a guest lecture at Bielefeld University. In the framework of the master's degree course “Going the Other Way: Deportation, Repatriation and (Temporary) Return”, I addressed the German audience with my own report on the topic “The Return of Ukrainian Forced Migrants: Intentions, Incentives and Challenges”, said Taras Romashchenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Economics and International Economic Relations.

According to the scholar of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, a set of investment incentives, implemented in a timely manner and in full by the Ukrainian government in close cooperation with foreign partners, could become a tangible impetus for the return migration of Ukrainian refugees after and even during the war. However, the voluntary and large-scale return of Ukrainians will certainly face a number of serious economic and political obstacles, not to mention security challenges. These inhibiting factors must be taken into account when developing national programmes for the voluntary repatriation of forced migrants.

Taras Romashchenko concluded that a lively and insightful discussion during and after his presentation with the participation of future masters confirmed the high relevance of the chosen subject.