ijems | editorial NavigatingGlobalDisruptions: Migration,Education,andLabor MarketsinaPost-PandemicWorld jaka vadnjal Euro-MediterraneanUniversity,Slovenia jaka.vadnjal@emuni.si https://emuni.si/ISSN/2232-6022/17.5-8.pdf In recent years, global challenges have demanded that academic re- searchadoptmultidisciplinaryapproachestoaddressincreasinglycom- plex societal issues. This issue of our journal brings together articles that explore the intersections of migration, education, labor markets, andthesocioeconomicshiftscausedbythecovid-19pandemic.To- gether,thesestudiesprovidecriticalinsightsintohowglobalcrisesre- shape local and international experiences of mobility, education, em- ployment,andeconomies. The collection of articles offers fresh perspectives on intra-African migration,internationalizationwithinhighereducation,jobretention schemes, and the mobility of early-career scientists in the Mediter- ranean region. They reflect on the responses to challenges brought aboutby covid-19andassessthesocioeconomicimpactofthese changes. Through these insights, the authors contribute to ongoing discussions about policy-making and future research in an evolving globallandscape. Thefirstarticle,authoredbyPierreOyonoMvogo,titled‘Morocco’s ContributiontotheConsolidationofIntra-AfricanMigration:AnAnal- ysis through the Prism of Gabonese and Cameroonian Student Mi- gration Flows in the City of Fez,’ addresses the underexplored issue of intra-African migration. While much literature focuses on African migrationtoEurope,MvogoshiftsthefocustoMorocco,whichhas emerged as a hub for student migration from Gabon and Cameroon. The article emphasizes the role of student migration in fostering eco- nomic, political, and cultural integration within Africa. By examining the migration of students to the city of Fez, the study illustrates Mo- rocco’s importance in consolidating African unity and development. volume 17 | 2024 | number 1 | 5–8 [6] Jaka Vadnjal Mvogo’s findings offer a nuanced understanding of migration as a driver of regional collaboration, economic growth, and political inte- grationinAfrica. In the article ‘The Internationalization at Home: Intercultural En- gagement of Students in Extracurricular Activities; med2iah Case Study,’ Nada Trunk Širca (Slovenia), Karim Moustaghfir (Morocco), Dorsaf Ben Malek (Tunisia) and Anica Novak Trunk (Slovenia) ad- dress the concept of ‘internationalization at home’ in higher educa- tion. As physical student mobility became severely restricted during thecovid-19pandemic,thefocushasshiftedtohowstudentscanen- gagewithdiverse cultures intheirowndomestic educationalsettings. Theirworkexploreshowextracurricularactivitiescreateopportunities forinterculturalengagementanddialogueamongstudents,whichmay playacrucialroleinpost-pandemiceducation.Withinternationalstu- dent exchanges largely disrupted, this study argues that meaningful intercultural experiences can still be fostered through intentional, lo- calizedprogramming.Thismodelofinternationalizationmayredefine how universities approach cross-cultural learning in the future, par- ticularly ina world still adapting to the constraints and opportunities broughtaboutby covid-19. InLiliTakacz’s(Hungary)article,‘TheUseofAnalyticHierarchyPro- cess for Measuring National Interests: Demonstrating the Impact of MulticriteriaDecision-MakingModelsonForeignPolicyFormulation,’ thefocusisondecision-makingtoolsforprioritizingnationalinterests in complex geopolitical environments. The study introduces the Ana- lyticHierarchyProcess(ahp)asawaytoevaluateandmeasureconflict- ing national objectives. Takacz shows how ahp can assist policymak- ers in navigating competing priorities in a structured manner. By ap- plyingthemodeltocurrentgeopoliticalscenarios,thearticleprovides insightsintohowgovernments canbalanceshort-termandlong-term nationalinterestseffectively.Thismethodnotonlyadvancesthetheo- reticalunderstandingofdecision-makingininternationalrelationsbut also offers a practical tool for policymakers facing a rapidly evolving globallandscape. The article ‘Early-Career Scientists’ Mobility in the Mediterranean during covid-19: Transforming Crises into Opportunities for Blue Economy’byJiheneNouairi,AliceAffatati,GiorgiaRivoira,SergioRe- jado Albaina and Mounir Ghribi (Italy) examines the impact of the pandemiconacademicmobility,particularlyforearly-careerscientists ijems NavigatingGlobalDisruptions [7] in the Mediterranean region. With travel restrictions, halted research projects,andfewernetworkingopportunities,early-careerresearchers faced considerable challenges. However, the article also points to the opportunities that arose from the crisis. By embracing digital tools andremotecollaboration,early-careerscientistsadaptedtonewforms of engagement and cooperation. The authors argue that this shift to- ward virtual collaboration and digital research tools is likely to have long-term benefits, democratizing access to international academic networks.Thisstudyhighlightshowadversitycanspurinnovationand fosternewwaysofacademiccollaboration. AntonRop(Slovenia)examinestheimpactofjobretentionschemes in the article ‘The Effects of Job Retention Schemes on Employment Preservationduringthecovid-19Epidemic.’Governmentsworldwide introduced these schemes to prevent mass unemployment during the pandemic, but the effectiveness of these measures remains a topic of debate. Rop’s analysis of various job retention schemes reveals that while they were effective in keeping workers employed in the short term, there were unintended consequences, such as wage stagnation and limited job mobility. The article emphasizes the need for govern- ments to consider the long-term effects of such schemes, particularly intermsofeconomicrecoveryandworkforceflexibility.Ropcallsfora balanced approach that not only preserves jobs during crises but also fostersadynamiclabormarketinthelongrun. Intheirarticle,‘ThePositiveImpactofthecovid-19Pandemicon theSlovenianEconomy,’PierreRostaandAlexandraRostan(usa)chal- lengeconventionalnarrativesthatdepictthepandemicsolelyasanega- tiveeconomicforce.TheauthorsexplorehowSloveniamanagedtoturn thecrisisintoanopportunityforeconomicgrowth,particularlyinthe healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing sectors. The articleattributesSlovenia’sresiliencetopre-existingpolicies,swiftgov- ernmental interventions, and the adaptability of key industries. The pandemicaccelerateddigitaltransformationandinnovation,whichhas positionedSloveniaforlong-termeconomicgrowth.Thiscasestudyof- fers valuable lessonsforothercountries seekingtobuildeconomicre- silienceinthefaceoffutureglobaldisruptions. Toconclude,thisissuebringstogetherdiverseperspectivesonhow migration, education, and labor markets have been affected by global crises,particularlythecovid-19pandemic.Thearticlesunderscore the importance of adaptability, innovation, and resilience in respond- volume 17 | 2024 | number 1 [8] Jaka Vadnjal ing to the challenges posed by these disruptions. By examining these key areas through a global lens, the contributions in this issue offer valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. As the worldcontinuestograpplewiththelong-termeffectsofthepandemic, thesestudieswillplayacrucialroleinshapingfutureresearchandpol- icy aimed at fostering socioeconomic recovery and sustainable devel- opment. ijems