Abstract
This workshop examines how political participation opportunities for migrants are influenced by multilevel governance across four levels of governance: supranational, national, regional, and local, within federal systems. It examines how different legal statuses, such as temporary residence, permanent residence, undocumented status, and naturalized citizenship, influence migrants’ access to political rights and participation. Citizenship is discussed as one key factor among others that structures inclusion and exclusion in political life.
Using comparative case studies, students analyze how institutional arrangements and legal frameworks affect migrants’ ability to engage politically, from voting and representation to advocacy and consultation. A central element of the workshop is an interactive role play in which students assume the roles of migrants with different legal statuses, policymakers, politicians, and civil society actors across different governance levels. Through this simulation, participants experience how institutional constraints and opportunities shape political participation in practice.
The workshop also highlights innovative approaches designed to overcome participation barriers, including local voting rights for non-citizens, consultative councils, and other participatory mechanisms. By reflecting on both the role play and empirical examples, this workshop aims to give insights into institutional innovation and the possibilities for expanding democratic inclusion in diverse societies.