Migrant voices

Despite the widespread public discussion about immigration in the UK, migrant communities themselves are rarely active contributors to the debate. Because of the complexity of the issues involved, it can also be challenging for groups and individuals working within the migration sector to identify shared messages which fit within a broader, rights-based narrative about immigration.

MRN supports a number of projects working to strengthen the presence of migrant voices in public debate about immigration, to share their perspectives on the issues which affect their lives in the UK.

Central to this work is the development of shared messages between groups, in order to mutually reinforce one another’s work and increase the strength of the collective fight for migrants’ rights.

Key projects

  • Communication Strategies Project (April 2008 - March 2009)

This three year project, funded by the Sigrid Rausing Trust and Unbound Philanthropy, aims to build the capacity of groups in the UK regions to communicate key messages about migrants’ rights to one another, to policy makers, and to the wider public. Among other tools, the project is using new communication technologies, including blogging, social networking, webcasts and digital broadcasting, to open up the space for a more balanced debate on immigration in the UK. It is currently operational in the North West and South West of England, London and Scotland.

Contacts: Maryam Pasha, Jan Brulc

 

  • Migrants and the Media Project (October 2008 - September 2011)

We are the UK partner in this five country, three-year project funded by the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM). The work is examining the ways in which migrant communities use the media to convey key messages. Together with our other European partners, we aim to strengthen the capacity of groups to convey key messages about migrant interests to the press and TV media, making use of conventional strategies of press releases and interviewing techniques, together with internet digital broadcasting and DVD production, to build the basis on which migrants can make their case to the public.

Contact: Don Flynn