On 22 April 2020, these questions, among many others, were discussed during our open civil society webinar dedicated to the issue of negative narratives against migrants and migration.
After an in-depth presentation by Eva Garzón Hernandez, Migration Lead at Oxfam Intermon, who shared some of her organisations’ research and findings on the issue, a multi-stakeholder exchange took place with the participation of:
- Alexandra Young, Director of International Migration Policy in the International and Intergovernmental Relations Branch of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Government of Canada.
- Sophie Van Haasen, Coordinator of the GFMD Mayors Mechanism, and Véronique Lamontagne of the City of Montreal.
- Mónica Trigos, UN Major Group on Children and Youth (UN MGCY) Shaping Narratives Thematic Lead.
Against the growing politicisation and polarisation of the discourses on migration, negative narratives on migration seem to be multiplying around us. How can NGOs engage actively to counter such trends without reinforcing existing negative perceptions? Can positive messages and calls for the support of migrants be shared more effectively? What should we be particularly aware of when advocating for the protection of migrants in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis?
Resources:
“Substituting Negative Narratives on Migration” – Eva Garzón Hernandez’s Webinar Presentation
- “YES, BUT NOT HERE Perceptions of xenophobia and discrimination towards Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru” – A Report by Oxfam International.
- “Polarization and the Pandemic: How Covid-19 is Changing Us” – A Study by More in Common on Public Perceptions During the Coronavirus Pandemic in the US.
- “Shaping the Public Narrative on Migration and Migrants: A Guide to Promoting a Balanced Dialogue” – A Publication by the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).
- GFMD Outcome Documents of the Youth Forum (including a Report on Shaping Public Narratives on Migration and Migrants).