A call for unity and understanding of the migrant experience.
It came from panellists at a Global Migration Film Festival hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the National Academy for the Performing Arts on Saturday.
The power of storytelling through dialogue, collaboration, and creativity was used to highlight the many challenges of the migrant experience at the Film Festival. A panel discussion where participants shared their impressions on the films messages was also part of the experience.
One Panellist, Project Director at the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), Hannah Katwaroo, highlighted the support her Foundation gives for the difficult changes migrants may face in a new society.
“Often through our Livelihoods Programmes here in TT, we do see that sort of scenario being played out. We see refugees and migrants simply leaning on their culture, leaning on what’s familiar, leaning on what’s sweet, literally, to them, to survive and to build a life here in TT.”
President of the Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Ramon Gregorio, questioned whether or not our society is utilising the skill set of migrants in a tangible and formal way. He believes by doing so we can improve productivity in Trinidad and Tobago while maintaining the integrity of the individual.
“It’s really about utilising skills, utilising training, but seeing opportunities as a country in Trinidad and Tobago to really learn, apart from the cultural experience, really learning from expert, industry experts, Learning from persons who have had different lived experiences and can now bring to bear in our local environment and that was one of the more powerful elements of the film for me. It’s really about how do we integrate. How do we utilise skills for the betterment of our country but at the same time, maintain the integrity of the person providing that skill.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Heroes Foundation, Lawrence Arjoon, noted that it takes immense strength and courage to migrate to a new country. He said resilience is needed to endure the experiences of these families, including children.
“But if I ever have to go through that experience, I think what I would be hopeful for is kindness, and kindness across the board, I think that within any community, within any State. People have to be at the heart and at the centre of decisions.”
The IOM emphasised the importance of empathy, reminding that migration is a shared journey, and every person has a role to play.