Guest Article: "The Canary Islands and the Challenge of Migration" By Vicente Zapata

As one of Europe’s most dynamic outermost regions, the Canary Islands have long been shaped by the movements of people. In this new opinion article, Vicente Manuel Zapata Hernández, Professor and researcher at the University of La Laguna, explores how migration continues to define the islands’ social, political and economic landscape – and what lessons can be drawn for Europe’s border regions today.

The text highlights the complex reality of the Canary Islands as part of the European Union’s outermost territories – a region shaped by tourism and, at the same time, a long-standing destination and transit point for migrants from Africa and Latin America. It examines recent arrivals via the so-called Atlantic route, the social and political responses on the islands, and innovative regional initiatives such as the Canary Migration Pact and the Canary Islands Plan for Immigration and Intercultural Coexistence 2026–2029, both of which promote solidarity, participation and coexistence. The publication also looks at the situation of unaccompanied minors across Spain and how the Canary Islands have led a dialogue with the national government to encourage other municipalities to take shared responsibility for hosting and supporting these minors throughout the territory.

The opinion article underlines that the Canary Islands offer a unique example of how Europe’s border regions can serve as laboratories for more humane and forward-looking migration policies – beyond a framework of containment and crisis.

Download the Guest Article

Download the Guest Article (in Spanish)