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17.12.2015 - Social and Human Sciences Sector

UNESCO calls for change in the way we look at migrants

UNESCO organized a panel discussion on “Changing the Discourse: the Positive Face of Migration” on 14 December 2015, at its Headquarters in Paris, to commemorate Human Rights Day (10 December) and International Migrants Day (18 December). Many countries face rapid expansion of migratory movements and are faced with integration of large numbers of migrants in their societies. This remains a real challenge worldwide. UNESCO wants to emphasize that creating the conditions for migrants’ inclusion in receiving countries can be beneficial for all. To achieve that it is necessary to change the discourse about migration, tackling stereotypes and upholding migrants’ human rights.

Migrants’ inclusion enables to harness their enormous potential in any receiving country. The current refugee crisis should be dealt with in a comprehensive manner, addressing both humanitarian and development aspects, while not forgetting the root causes of migratory flows. “If migrant women and men are treated with dignity and are given the opportunity to fully develop, then this can have a positive impact on every aspect of life – cultural, economic, political and social”, said Nada Al-Nashif, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences.

The first responsibility is to acknowledge the amplitude of the challenge ahead: “We cannot but have a political response,” according to Metin Arditi, UNESCO Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue.  Speaking from his own experience, Assefaw Bariagaber, Professor of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University (USA) added that we should acknowledge the positive contribution of migrants in societies and maximize their potential.

Studies of the Research Programme Consortium at the Sussex University (UK) in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana and India prove the necessity to address migration from a long-term perspective: the issue is not to control migration, but to find enhanced ways of reversing the severe conditions from which migrants, especially women and girls, try to escape. Priya Deshingkar, Research Director at the Consortium, believes that to change the narrative, the key is to “better understand how their aspirations are formed”, and where they come from.

Concrete local initiatives in Nancy (France), ranging from cultural festivals to counselling services and sports activities, show that these are essential components of migrants’ integration in cities. At the city level, stigmatization is countered by giving migrant populations a sense of accomplishment and being at home. Lucienne Redercher, deputy Mayor of Nancy (France) and Vice-President of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR), stated that “our primary duty is not to wait for others to do it. We all have a place in this struggle.”

Plantu, the award-winning French cartoonist of the journal Le Monde, famous for his satirical depiction of many human rights related issues, including on migrants and refugees, treated the audience with impromptu illustrations of how an artistic creation mirrors the artist’s ideas and perceptions. “When I draw, I take a position on the issue. As an artist, I have a responsibility to show what I want to be represented. Artists are only intermediaries. And then the debate begins...”




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