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Description
Due to the large number of economic immigrants and refugees entering Poland, and in recent months due to the pandemic, we are becoming less and less trustful towards others, and this distrust is being fueled further by historical resentment and the actions of some elements of the media. A considerable number of immigrants choose Warsaw. It is important to increase public awareness of the issue of cultural pluralism in the capital, to enable direct contact with members of various communities, and to learn about their customs, values, culture, and traditions. The project aims to show immigration as an opportunity to share knowledge and learn about each other''s cultures, by making use of the professional and artistic potential of foreigners who come to Warsaw, and to strengthen measures that include providing information in multiple languages for immigrants on to how to function in Poland in many areas of community life. We will base our activities on immigrant activation mechanisms that we have devised and which are tried and tested - creating a space for them to pursue their own activities. We will operate, three times, a Multicultural Initiative Catalyst: workshops on creating and managing community, civic, awareness-raising, and cultural initiatives, and implementation of one''s own objectives with the assistance of specialists. We will resume operations of IMI Radio. We will provide training for members of immigrant communities who, with specialist assistance, will present weekly multilingual (in 6 to 8 languages) radio programs. We also plan to produce a series of a minimum of twelve advice and information programs in three languages on how to function in Poland in various spheres of life, such as legalization of residence, the labor market, the education system, and starting up a CSO or business. 54 immigrants will take part in the awareness-raising activities, and twelve initiatives will be implemented in connection with the Multicultural Initiative Catalyst.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of exclusion of migrants and xenophobia in Polish society, which has been exacerbated in times of pandemic. On the one hand, more and more economic migrants and refugees are arriving in Europe, including Poland. On the other hand, this situation creates mistrust among parts of the population, fuelled by historical resentments and a political and media campaign against migrants. These voices are largely based on stereotypes, fear and ignorance. Unfortunately, in extreme cases, there have been hate attacks on representatives of minorities. In Polish society, however, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge about people with migration experience and their countries of origin, as well as a lack of initiatives that would allow migrants to speak for themselves.
Four editions of the Multicultural Initiatives Catalyst were held as part of the project, consisting of workshops on the creation and management of small projects (social, civic, educational, cultural) and initiatives run by the workshop participants themselves (e.g. meetings on the cultures of their countries of origin, dance workshops, integration meetings). IMI Radio - the only multilingual radio station in Poland run by migrants - was also relaunched. Representatives of migrant communities took part in two editions of the radio academy to produce weekly multilingual radio programmes. Among other things, a cycle of 17 advice and information programmes in three languages was prepared on how to function in Poland in various areas of life (e.g. legalisation of residence, labour market, education system, setting up an NGO or a business).
As a result of the implementation of the activities, 65 people with migration experience improved their skills in realising original initiatives and radio programmes addressed to both Polish society and migrant communities. The opportunity to implement their own activities increased their sense of empowerment. The project showed the potential and resources of migration and the benefits of involving migrants in activities and learning about each other''s cultures.