How can we promote more balanced and effective narratives on migration? Find out more with our below overview! Have a look at some of the recent resources and research on migration narratives, developed by various civil society organisations.
Eva Garzón Hernandez (Oxfam Intermón) and Stella Opoku-Owusu (AFFORD) told us how our perception of migration influences migrants’ lives and our communities, and how it can impact racism and discrimination.
Changing migration narratives is possible!
Eva Garzón Hernandez (Oxfam Intermón) gave us some tips to promote a balanced narrative about migrants.
Resources
Welcoming Week provides institutions and individuals the opportunity to showcase their values through initiatives that foster connections between migrants and non-migrants, as well as belonging for all. Civil society organizations, local and regional governments, migrant and refugee-led organizations, local businesses and others participate by hosting events (670 in 2023) and engaging on social and traditional media. As the global hub for Welcoming Week, Welcoming America provides a multilingual toolkit, peer learning, and campaign assets to support organizations in hosting, partnering on, and amplifying events.
Principal objectives include:
- Bring neighbours together – migrant, refugee, and non-migrant – to build connections.
- Celebrate ongoing local multi-sector inclusionary efforts.
- Affirm the importance of “welcoming communities” in achieving collective prosperity.
- Engage new stakeholders through accessible events that lead to longer-term commitments.
- Affect the public narrative on migration to be more positive and hopeful.
Franciscans International, Tearing Down the Walls (2020), Challenging myths about migration from a human rights perspective (in ES, IT and PT)
NGO Committee on Migration, Subcommittee on Xenophobia, Racism and Social Inclusion: Infographic: Debunking Myths to End Xenophobia (July 2021); Report on their latest survey of NGOs concerning xenophobia and racism.
Oxfam Intermón, A different perspective (2020), a compendium of perceptions of migration in Spain and recommendations for a narrative change; Barometer of disinformation and hate speech against migrants (in Spanish).
Initiatives and Campaigns
Asians in Focus initiative, created by the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), shares the stories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, & Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), including those of Asian descent.
Asociación Rumiñahui (Spain), offers joint activities for migrants and the local population to get to know each other.
Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (APDH) (Switzerland).
ATSA (Canada), creates transdisciplinary works and events to raise public awareness of various social, environmental and heritage issues that are crucial and that need to be addressed.
Campaign, Come Nacido Entre Nosotros, (Latin America and Caribbean), brings together NGOs and Churches from the region to help integrate and support migrants and create inclusive local communities.
El Barómetro de Xenofobia (Colombia), analyses public discourse about migrants on social media.
Mundo en Movimiento, WE ARE MORE (Spain), network for civil mobilization against racism.
Maldita Migración: fact-checking journalism vs hate trolls project.
OHCHR, #Standup4humanrights campaign to take action in our own daily lives, to uphold rights and promote the kinship of all human beings.
- #FightRacism campaign
- #StandUp4Migrants and its toolbox (a seven-step guide to rethink and change how we speak about migration)
PICUM, #WordsMatter Initiative, campaign to promote balanced narratives on undocumented migrants.
Semillas de Paz (Ecuador), program run by migrants for resilient communities.
University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), programme “Français pour tous”, voluntary language courses to promote the integration of migrants and refugees in their host communities.
