Events are happening throughout the capital to help promote positive perceptions of migration in the city. London is one of the most multicultural cities in Europe, with 37% of Londoners being born in another country.
Charities and collectives are putting on events and workshops, with some including the London Migration Film Festival (LMFF) that is currently taking place in different locations throughout the city, as well as ongoing projects like the East London Migration Tour.
The LMFF has not only showcased films this week, but has also had interactive events like ‘Drag Down The Borders’, a drag show focusing on inclusivity, ‘Meals and Movements’ a cooking class that focuses on translating recipes from different cultures into new recipes and ‘B!tch and Stitch’ a stitching workshop that focuses on knitting and chatting to new people about the social and cultural experiences of immigrant communities.
Jesuit Refugee Service is based in the Wapping area and has started a community outreach programme to help locals connect with migrants and refugees under the care of the organisation. It was started just over a year ago due to a rise in tension.
The reason why we’re doing this work has come out of the context of the increase of polarisation within the political debate around asylum and migration within the media.
– Mark Dunn, community project coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service
“We’ve obviously seen the riots over the summer which very much stemmed from a place of anti-immigrant hatred, racism and xenophobia.”
Studies from 2023 by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford show that public opinion is divided when it comes to migration. With 52% of the pubic thinking that numbers of immigration should be reduced. The study also shows that British people attach more importance to immigrants when they have professional skills.
The Jesuit Refugee Service is an international, faith based, organisation that focuses on helping refugees and displaced people. Dunn says reaching out to people struggling with migration issues in local areas has become more important than ever.
“There’s a real need to not just campaign for migrant justice, but to actually be with people who have different views in the community and really understand what’s going on and for people to be heard and understood and listened to.”
“We also want to be in a place where we can have a dialogue together and really understand each other and take the temperature out of the conversation… Because increasing polarisation then leads to dehumanisation, and then that leads to increased violence.”
For Mark, local communities need to actively educate themselves on migration issues and the people they concern. Events such as the Migrant Film Festival are well suited for raising awareness of the experiences of migrants across the globe and of those in the UK.
The festival ends Friday 29 November, with key events taking place at Westminster University.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineHow organisations are connecting migrant communities in London with locals
Short HeadlineUnderstanding the migrant experience in London
Standfirst"In London there's lots of opportunities to engage with migrant culture, this helps people better understand their experiences and perceptions."
Events are happening throughout the capital to help promote positive perceptions of migration in the city. London is one of the most multicultural cities in Europe, with 37% of Londoners being born in another country.
Charities and collectives are putting on events and workshops, with some including the London Migration Film Festival (LMFF) that is currently taking place in different locations throughout the city, as well as ongoing projects like the East London Migration Tour.
The LMFF has not only showcased films this week, but has also had interactive events like ‘Drag Down The Borders’, a drag show focusing on inclusivity, ‘Meals and Movements’ a cooking class that focuses on translating recipes from different cultures into new recipes and ‘B!tch and Stitch’ a stitching workshop that focuses on knitting and chatting to new people about the social and cultural experiences of immigrant communities.
Jesuit Refugee Service is based in the Wapping area and has started a community outreach programme to help locals connect with migrants and refugees under the care of the organisation. It was started just over a year ago due to a rise in tension.
The reason why we’re doing this work has come out of the context of the increase of polarisation within the political debate around asylum and migration within the media.
– Mark Dunn, community project coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service
“We’ve obviously seen the riots over the summer which very much stemmed from a place of anti-immigrant hatred, racism and xenophobia.”
Studies from 2023 by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford show that public opinion is divided when it comes to migration. With 52% of the pubic thinking that numbers of immigration should be reduced. The study also shows that British people attach more importance to immigrants when they have professional skills.
The Jesuit Refugee Service is an international, faith based, organisation that focuses on helping refugees and displaced people. Dunn says reaching out to people struggling with migration issues in local areas has become more important than ever.
“There’s a real need to not just campaign for migrant justice, but to actually be with people who have different views in the community and really understand what’s going on and for people to be heard and understood and listened to.”
“We also want to be in a place where we can have a dialogue together and really understand each other and take the temperature out of the conversation… Because increasing polarisation then leads to dehumanisation, and then that leads to increased violence.”
For Mark, local communities need to actively educate themselves on migration issues and the people they concern. Events such as the Migrant Film Festival are well suited for raising awareness of the experiences of migrants across the globe and of those in the UK.
The festival ends Friday 29 November, with key events taking place at Westminster University.
