“Migration” is one of the major topics for the RLS, politically, as well as on a project level. The Africa department offices operate in countries which are amongst the 10 nations holding the highest number of refugees (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad).

Migrants and refugees’ images in the media and public sphere are not always balanced nor fair. Media often stereotypes migrants and refugees and negatively represent them, which leads to a rise in racism and hate speech against migrants by right-wing politicians in Europe and elsewhere; and to a marginalization of migrants and refugees issues in the host and transit countries.

This project is a contribution to a greater and balanced representation of migrants and refugees in the public sphere in the African countries and beyond.

The project aims to create an alternative point of view on migration and refugees, beyond the stereotypes. Through the power of film, audiences are informed and attracted to understanding the diverse realities of immigrants’ and refugees’ lives. Focusing on ten stories (films), our goal is to tell the stories of immigration on our continent. The main aim is to motivate viewers – policy makers, civil society actors, media and active citizens – to understand that migration is not a “phenomenon”, but rather an integral and indispensable part of human existence. People have been fleeing political violence, environmental disasters, and economic hardships for centuries now. The motives might differ, but the current world order with a system of trade that results in the destruction of livelihoods and climate is a main cause in the constant flight of millions of people each year. It is the impoverished segments of the societies who often pay the high price of displacement with few resources to keep their families safe, to recover from displacement, and who are forced to move at the loss of their access to livelihood.

Beyond the fallacies regarding immigrant contributions to societies and culture: How do the migrants (economic migrants, refugees, internally displaced) live in different countries in Africa? How do they face peril and prejudice in their journey to and in host African countries? Do they face racism? How are African migrants received in other African countries? Are African political actors engaging with migration or is the question totally ignored? What role are progressive actors playing with regards to the migration question?

This project hence aims to give a “southern narrative” of the refugee crisis as its perception is often dominated by countries on the northern shore of the Mediterranean.

A project of the The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftug African offices (North Africa, South Africa, East Africa and West Africa)