Author: Dr Douglas V Johnson II
The following points were put forth by colloquium participants. The concept of a border as a line on the ground is insufficient for today’s realities. The concept of border security obscures larger issues of control and humane management. The European Union approach to interior border management differs from that of exterior border management and may offer a useful model for insight into alternative policies and practices. While the threat from terrorists is real, the over-security with regard to the border control process has generated greater problems than it may have solved. A great deal of room remains for improving management of the issues in both theory and practice, including the effective use of technology; however, this is ultimately a human issue. Practitioners and theorists see very different dimensions of the issues, but acknowledge the utility of colloquia such as this as a means to bring about unity of purpose and practice.